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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2007 10:43:13 GMT
Hi all - I got a Heuchera 'purple palace' two years ago, but it doesn't seem to be putting on any new growth - still all the straggly, brittle winter leaves. It's been well watered and fed. Is it just late, or should I did it up, or would cutting it right down help? ... cheers ...
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2007 11:38:49 GMT
Er, no wonder it was unhappy. After posting the above, I decided to investigate a bit further - and the whole plant just came up. Lifted straight up off the soil  ... there were almost no roots! I don't know whether some pest is to blame - couldn't see anything. Anyway, I rinsed what roots were left, and have replanted it with lots of compost - this is really strange because it grew beautifully last year ... cheers ... |
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Post by Spruance on May 11, 2007 11:47:03 GMT
I hate to say it CC, but this sounds very much like the dreaded Vine Weevil!  |
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2007 12:04:15 GMT
I had a horrible feeling it might be, Spruance. Is there anything I can do to rescue the poor thing?
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Post by beejay on May 11, 2007 12:46:26 GMT
Unfortunately vine weevils love heucheras. If it isn't completely dead yet you could strip the old leaves off leaving a few good leaves at the end of the shoot & pop the shoot into a pot. Trim it up if it is too long. You may be able to get several small plants if you have a number of shoots. Keep watered & they should grow away quite well. You will have to do something about the VW of course!
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Post by Spruance on May 11, 2007 13:42:45 GMT
As far as dealing with the little blighters goes, I think Provado is the popular choice, or alternatively the organic way is to pour boiling water (usually straight from the kettle in our case) over the affected area and leave to cool before starting again. The best bet is to completely renew the compost of course.  |
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2007 13:48:27 GMT
Thanks to all ... have been googling, and I think this may also be what's affecting my climbing hydrangea, which is in the same bed. Since it's in the open ground, renewing the compost isn't an option, and nor is boiling water. If I use Provado, would it affect vegetable elsewhere in the garden? I was thinking of using nematodes (Nemasys), but I think the weather is too warm for that to work? Any advice greatly appreciated ... cheers ...
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2007 11:44:51 GMT
Hi Beeyjay ... just to say I took your advice, got 7 baby plants all now with new shoots - thanks!
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Post by beejay on May 18, 2007 13:09:41 GMT
That's excellent news. It's fairly easy to increase your stock of heucheras, even though this was rather forced on you!
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... there were almost no roots! I don't know whether some pest is to blame - couldn't see anything. Anyway, I rinsed what roots were left, and have replanted it with lots of compost - this is really strange because it grew beautifully last year ... cheers ...
