Hello All

I've been a fan of this group for quite a while now but have been off line for around 7 months or so (I'm sorry if these questions have been asked before, but I'm desperate!) busy with a 'new' courtyard garden - and I have to say it's been a real learning curve - one that I haven't done very well on!

I would so appreciate anyone that might have advice on how to naturally deal with infestations of caterpillars and vine weevil. I've been out and bought some over the counter stuff for vine weevil, but I have to say it's pretty pricey, not as pricey as replacing plants of course, but I just wondered if anyone might know of a home made recipe or a natural biological remedy? (Plus: I used loads and the damage is still being done!) The caterpillars are the latest infestation and have done huge damage (can't relax either now in the garden, always watching out for the beasties). In my last garden slugs were a huge problem so this lot have really taken me by surprise.

I would like to think that there is a natural combination that can be found to not encourage these blighters - I don't have frogs or birds here in this garden (got my own 'pest' living in aka the cat, plus it's a built up area with little in the way of green stuff) so am a bit stuck on the knowledge front otherwise.

As most of the infrastructure stuff was only finished a couple of months ago I decided to fill up this year with lots of annuals in pots, I think this might have had a lot to do with it? I've noticed that any perennials I have in pots have mostly been left alone, sort of.

I was so pleased to start seeing a bit of 'wildlife' coming into what was previously a concrete wasteland but am feeling a little despondent at the mo, any advice would be very gratefully received.

Yours, with the tattiest geraniums in the world, the holiest cannas ever seen..... and so on and so on

Sharon Hughes wrote:

Hello All

I've been a fan of this group for quite a while now but have been off line
for around 7 months or so (I'm sorry if these questions have been asked
before, but I'm desperate!) busy with a 'new' courtyard garden - and I
have to say it's been a real learning curve - one that I haven't done very
well on!

I would so appreciate anyone that might have advice on how to naturally
deal with infestations of caterpillars and vine weevil. I've been out and
bought some over the counter stuff for vine weevil, but I have to say it's
pretty pricey, not as pricey as replacing plants of course, but I just
wondered if anyone might know of a home made recipe or a natural
biological remedy? (Plus: I used loads and the damage is still being
done!) The caterpillars are the latest infestation and have done huge
damage (can't relax either now in the garden, always watching out for the
beasties). In my last garden slugs were a huge problem so this lot have
really taken me by surprise.

I would like to think that there is a natural combination that can be
found to not encourage these blighters - I don't have frogs or birds here
in this garden (got my own 'pest' living in aka the cat, plus it's a built
up area with little in the way of green stuff) so am a bit stuck on the
knowledge front otherwise.

As most of the infrastructure stuff was only finished a couple of months
ago I decided to fill up this year with lots of annuals in pots, I think
this might have had a lot to do with it? I've noticed that any perennials
I have in pots have mostly been left alone, sort of.

I was so pleased to start seeing a bit of 'wildlife' coming into what was
previously a concrete wasteland but am feeling a little despondent at the
mo, any advice would be very gratefully received.

Yours, with the tattiest geraniums in the world, the holiest cannas ever
seen..... and so on and so on


Vine weevil

Use biological controls (the new ones have a wider active temperature
range) These can be effective.

Avoid stuff in pots..(OK so you're probably gonna hate me for that one!)
Put grease around the exterior of pots as a physical barrier. Keep clear
of bridging debris and check regularly.

Use yellow sticky traps..

Hunt for adult weevils at night and destroy.

Start using only soil based composts
Stop using soft loose peat based composts or similar alternatives. Vine
weevil are a 'new' problem brought on by the uprise in the global
Horticultural trade.

Try to avoid plants 'favoured' by vine weevil (polyanthus and Fuchsia
seem o be favourites, though they will try almost anything..)

Encourage predator insects & birds such as robins and tits into your
garden by feeding, and providing food plants. Better seeds and food
sources from single flowers forms and fruiting shrubs.

I wouldn't bet on the perrenials in pots.. (Have you checked the soil?)

Where abouts are you? Good luck and my commiserations..

See also the Vine Weevil FAQ... Stuff on the RHS and HDRA sites etc
etc..

Maybe a little careful searching for some very 'tough' plants as well in
these seemingly adverse conditions?
//
Jim

"Sharon Hughes" wrote in message ...
Hello All

I've been a fan of this group for quite a while now but have been off line for around 7 months or so (I'm sorry if these questions have been asked before, but I'm desperate!) busy with a 'new' courtyard garden - and I have to say it's been a real learning curve - one that I haven't done very well on!

I would so appreciate anyone that might have advice on how to naturally deal with infestations of caterpillars and vine weevil. I've been out and bought some over the counter stuff for vine weevil, but I have to say it's pretty pricey, not as pricey as replacing plants of course, but I just wondered if anyone might know of a home made recipe or a natural biological remedy? (Plus: I used loads and the damage is still being done!) The caterpillars are the latest infestation and have done huge damage (can't relax either now in the garden, always watching out for the beasties). In my last garden slugs were a huge problem so this lot have really taken me by surprise.

I would like to think that there is a natural combination that can be found to not encourage these blighters - I don't have frogs or birds here in this garden (got my own 'pest' living in aka the cat, plus it's a built up area with little in the way of green stuff) so am a bit stuck on the knowledge front otherwise.

As most of the infrastructure stuff was only finished a couple of months ago I decided to fill up this year with lots of annuals in pots, I think this might have had a lot to do with it? I've noticed that any perennials I have in pots have mostly been left alone, sort of.

I was so pleased to start seeing a bit of 'wildlife' coming into what was previously a concrete wasteland but am feeling a little despondent at the mo, any advice would be very gratefully received.

Yours, with the tattiest geraniums in the world, the holiest cannas ever seen..... and so on and so on

Armillotox solution every 10 days will deal with the little vine weevil blighters

"bnd777" wrote in message
...

[snip]

Please repeat your contribution using a plain text format and not HTML.
You have spoilt the thread irrevocably.

Franz

"bnd777" wrote in message
...

[snip]

Please repeat your contribution using a plain text format and not HTML.
You have spoilt the thread irrevocably.

Franz

"Franz Heymann" wrote in message ...
"bnd777" wrote in message
...

[snip]

Please repeat your contribution using a plain text format and not HTML.
You have spoilt the thread irrevocably.

Oh, is that why that happens? I'd often wondered.

Mike.

Apologies
Armillotox solution will kill the little nasties of Vine weevil repeat every
10 days till winter


"Mike Lyle" wrote in message
om...
"Franz Heymann" wrote in message
...
"bnd777" wrote in message
...

[snip]

Please repeat your contribution using a plain text format and not HTML.
You have spoilt the thread irrevocably.

Oh, is that why that happens? I'd often wondered.

Mike.

I've heard good things about www.just-green.com.

"Sharon Hughes" wrote in message
...
Hello All

I've been a fan of this group for quite a while now but have been off line
for around 7 months or so (I'm sorry if these questions have been asked
before, but I'm desperate!) busy with a 'new' courtyard garden - and I have
to say it's been a real learning curve - one that I haven't done very well
on!

I would so appreciate anyone that might have advice on how to naturally deal
with infestations of caterpillars and vine weevil. I've been out and bought
some over the counter stuff for vine weevil, but I have to say it's pretty
pricey, not as pricey as replacing plants of course, but I just wondered if
anyone might know of a home made recipe or a natural biological remedy?
(Plus: I used loads and the damage is still being done!) The caterpillars
are the latest infestation and have done huge damage (can't relax either now
in the garden, always watching out for the beasties). In my last garden
slugs were a huge problem so this lot have really taken me by surprise.

I would like to think that there is a natural combination that can be found
to not encourage these blighters - I don't have frogs or birds here in this
garden (got my own 'pest' living in aka the cat, plus it's a built up area
with little in the way of green stuff) so am a bit stuck on the knowledge
front otherwise.

As most of the infrastructure stuff was only finished a couple of months ago
I decided to fill up this year with lots of annuals in pots, I think this
might have had a lot to do with it? I've noticed that any perennials I have
in pots have mostly been left alone, sort of.

I was so pleased to start seeing a bit of 'wildlife' coming into what was
previously a concrete wasteland but am feeling a little despondent at the
mo, any advice would be very gratefully received.

Yours, with the tattiest geraniums in the world, the holiest cannas ever
seen..... and so on and so on

"bnd777" wrote in message
...
Apologies
Armillotox solution will kill the little nasties of Vine weevil repeat
every
10 days till winter

Thank you for learning lesson 1 so quickly.
Now for lesson 2: Please don't top post. By the time a thread has suffered
two or more top postings, it will have become frightfully mangled.
Please just insert your comment immediately below the point to which you are
responding, leaving one blank line between the two.
Thanks.

Franz


"Mike Lyle" wrote in message
om...
"Franz Heymann" wrote in message
...
"bnd777" wrote in message
...

[snip]

Please repeat your contribution using a plain text format and not
HTML.
You have spoilt the thread irrevocably.

Oh, is that why that happens? I'd often wondered.

Mike.

Hi Roger Rabbit and previous replies, thanks for taking the time the time to
reply - I've decided in the short term it's going to have to be the
chemical solution to begin with and take it from there ..... the new built
in borders with new soil (vetted of course?!) (I think my preference will be
slightly more acid than what I currently have) and a choice of hardier type
of plants might be the solution. I think this wee courtyard space might
prove more of a challenge than first assumed ......

I must admit I thought that such a small space would be easy to convert into
a garden, now however, the the complications of such a small space having
scorching sun from early morning in one spot, deeply shaded in another part,
hardly touched by winds or frost and no ingress of birds, frogs, hedgehogs
etc ....and what appears to be all the bugs arriving from the lack of other
'amenities' in the local ...... I just hope it's not going to be more
expensive than interesting in the end!

Yours, with newly installed raised bed today, no soil or 'anything' in it
yet!


"Roger The Rabbit" wrote in message
...
I've heard good things about www.just-green.com.

"Sharon Hughes" wrote in message
...
Hello All

I've been a fan of this group for quite a while now but have been off line
for around 7 months or so (I'm sorry if these questions have been asked
before, but I'm desperate!) busy with a 'new' courtyard garden - and I
have
to say it's been a real learning curve - one that I haven't done very well
on!

I would so appreciate anyone that might have advice on how to naturally
deal
with infestations of caterpillars and vine weevil. I've been out and
bought
some over the counter stuff for vine weevil, but I have to say it's pretty
pricey, not as pricey as replacing plants of course, but I just wondered
if
anyone might know of a home made recipe or a natural biological remedy?
(Plus: I used loads and the damage is still being done!) The
caterpillars
are the latest infestation and have done huge damage (can't relax either
now
in the garden, always watching out for the beasties). In my last garden
slugs were a huge problem so this lot have really taken me by surprise.

I would like to think that there is a natural combination that can be
found
to not encourage these blighters - I don't have frogs or birds here in
this
garden (got my own 'pest' living in aka the cat, plus it's a built up area
with little in the way of green stuff) so am a bit stuck on the knowledge
front otherwise.

As most of the infrastructure stuff was only finished a couple of months
ago
I decided to fill up this year with lots of annuals in pots, I think this
might have had a lot to do with it? I've noticed that any perennials I
have
in pots have mostly been left alone, sort of.

I was so pleased to start seeing a bit of 'wildlife' coming into what was
previously a concrete wasteland but am feeling a little despondent at the
mo, any advice would be very gratefully received.

Yours, with the tattiest geraniums in the world, the holiest cannas ever
seen..... and so on and so on

Hi Roger Rabbit and previous replies, thanks for taking the time the time to
reply - I've decided in the short term it's going to have to be the
chemical solution to begin with and take it from there ..... the new built
in borders with new soil (vetted of course?!) (I think my preference will be
slightly more acid than what I currently have) and a choice of hardier type
of plants might be the solution. I think this wee courtyard space might
prove more of a challenge than first assumed ......

I must admit I thought that such a small space would be easy to convert into
a garden, now however, the the complications of such a small space having
scorching sun from early morning in one spot, deeply shaded in another part,
hardly touched by winds or frost and no ingress of birds, frogs, hedgehogs
etc ....and what appears to be all the bugs arriving from the lack of other
'amenities' in the local ...... I just hope it's not going to be more
expensive than interesting in the end!

Yours, with newly installed raised bed today, no soil or 'anything' in it
yet!


"Roger The Rabbit" wrote in message
...
I've heard good things about www.just-green.com.

"Sharon Hughes" wrote in message
...
Hello All

I've been a fan of this group for quite a while now but have been off line
for around 7 months or so (I'm sorry if these questions have been asked
before, but I'm desperate!) busy with a 'new' courtyard garden - and I
have
to say it's been a real learning curve - one that I haven't done very well
on!

I would so appreciate anyone that might have advice on how to naturally
deal
with infestations of caterpillars and vine weevil. I've been out and
bought
some over the counter stuff for vine weevil, but I have to say it's pretty
pricey, not as pricey as replacing plants of course, but I just wondered
if
anyone might know of a home made recipe or a natural biological remedy?
(Plus: I used loads and the damage is still being done!) The
caterpillars
are the latest infestation and have done huge damage (can't relax either
now
in the garden, always watching out for the beasties). In my last garden
slugs were a huge problem so this lot have really taken me by surprise.

I would like to think that there is a natural combination that can be
found
to not encourage these blighters - I don't have frogs or birds here in
this
garden (got my own 'pest' living in aka the cat, plus it's a built up area
with little in the way of green stuff) so am a bit stuck on the knowledge
front otherwise.

As most of the infrastructure stuff was only finished a couple of months
ago
I decided to fill up this year with lots of annuals in pots, I think this
might have had a lot to do with it? I've noticed that any perennials I
have
in pots have mostly been left alone, sort of.

I was so pleased to start seeing a bit of 'wildlife' coming into what was
previously a concrete wasteland but am feeling a little despondent at the
mo, any advice would be very gratefully received.

Yours, with the tattiest geraniums in the world, the holiest cannas ever
seen..... and so on and so on

Think about it carefully, I only use chemicals as a last resort...

You tend to kill off the good guys as well and when the chemicals go, the
bad guys come back. Far better to encourage the good guys!

"Sharon Hughes" wrote in message
...
Hi Roger Rabbit and previous replies, thanks for taking the time the time
to
reply - I've decided in the short term it's going to have to be the
chemical solution to begin with and take it from there ..... the new built
in borders with new soil (vetted of course?!) (I think my preference will
be
slightly more acid than what I currently have) and a choice of hardier
type
of plants might be the solution. I think this wee courtyard space might
prove more of a challenge than first assumed ......

I must admit I thought that such a small space would be easy to convert
into
a garden, now however, the the complications of such a small space having
scorching sun from early morning in one spot, deeply shaded in another
part,
hardly touched by winds or frost and no ingress of birds, frogs, hedgehogs
etc ....and what appears to be all the bugs arriving from the lack of
other
'amenities' in the local ...... I just hope it's not going to be more
expensive than interesting in the end!

Yours, with newly installed raised bed today, no soil or 'anything' in it
yet!


"Roger The Rabbit" wrote in message
...
I've heard good things about www.just-green.com.

"Sharon Hughes" wrote in message
...
Hello All

I've been a fan of this group for quite a while now but have been off
line
for around 7 months or so (I'm sorry if these questions have been asked
before, but I'm desperate!) busy with a 'new' courtyard garden - and I
have
to say it's been a real learning curve - one that I haven't done very
well
on!

I would so appreciate anyone that might have advice on how to naturally
deal
with infestations of caterpillars and vine weevil. I've been out and
bought
some over the counter stuff for vine weevil, but I have to say it's
pretty
pricey, not as pricey as replacing plants of course, but I just wondered
if
anyone might know of a home made recipe or a natural biological remedy?
(Plus: I used loads and the damage is still being done!) The
caterpillars
are the latest infestation and have done huge damage (can't relax either
now
in the garden, always watching out for the beasties). In my last garden
slugs were a huge problem so this lot have really taken me by surprise.

I would like to think that there is a natural combination that can be
found
to not encourage these blighters - I don't have frogs or birds here in
this
garden (got my own 'pest' living in aka the cat, plus it's a built up
area
with little in the way of green stuff) so am a bit stuck on the
knowledge
front otherwise.

As most of the infrastructure stuff was only finished a couple of months
ago
I decided to fill up this year with lots of annuals in pots, I think
this
might have had a lot to do with it? I've noticed that any perennials I
have
in pots have mostly been left alone, sort of.

I was so pleased to start seeing a bit of 'wildlife' coming into what
was
previously a concrete wasteland but am feeling a little despondent at
the
mo, any advice would be very gratefully received.

Yours, with the tattiest geraniums in the world, the holiest cannas ever
seen..... and so on and so on