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buddleia-blue-chip

MillarificMillarific Posts: 28
in Problem solving

I planted a Buddleia Blue Chip and it is in a pot in full sun.It is the last resting place for our late departed pussy cat Oscar who loved butterflies.

In the first year it flowered but barely survived the winter.I gave it some tlc including a light prune in April.It seemed to progress well but suddenly the leaves started to go yellow and it looked very thin.I thought it needed a feed so I gave it liquid seaweed and Iron that didn't seem to help.

I have kept it well watered have I over watered ?.It is now looking very sad very thin and very yellow.I am new to this so I will later try to upload a photograph.I know that they love lime so my current thoughts are:-

1/If I do nothing it will die.

2/I propose to remove the top layer of compost, sprinkle some lime, add a layer of new compost.

3/Water in well.

Any comments please.

Millarific

 

Posts

  • DaintinessDaintiness Posts: 988

    I would lift some soil and inspect the roots of your plant. If you find soft white bodied grubs with brown heads, then you have vine weevil. If not? check the state of the roots to see if overwatering is the problem. Let us know what this search reveals if anything and then we'll see what to advise next...image

  • MillarificMillarific Posts: 28

    Thanks for that.

    I took the decision, before I read your reply to do exactly that.

    I excavated around the roots and the edge of the pot and found a whole host of white grubs which I then reoved. I excavated as much of the compost as I could and then replaced with John Innes No 3 mixed with garden lime. I then gave it a good watereing.

    Is there anything I can do now to kill of the bugs in case I missed some, I couldn't excavate too far as Oscar's ashes are in the pot, I'm not sure whether they were in a pouch so I don't want to remove it all unless I have to.

    I would appreciate your further comments.

    Millarific

  • addictaddict Posts: 659

    They tend to collect around the root collar rather than go deep so you may have only missed a few which won't be able to do too much damage. Check again in a week or so and then cover the surface of the compost with grit or gravel thick enough for soil not to be visible. This will stop the beetle being able to lay....and stop watering so much buddleia thrive on neglect! Hope Oscar can then rest in peace image

  • DaintinessDaintiness Posts: 988

    Well done. Now get down to GC/DIY store tomorrow and buy some vine weevil killer. You make it up in a watering can and water it on the pot. Do it on all the pots you have as the little blighters get everywhere. This will protect your pots for the next couple of months  - follow the directions on the container for repeat drenching etc and your blue chip will hopefully be chipper again!

  • MillarificMillarific Posts: 28

    Thanks for all that.I'm not sure now that what I saw is the vine weevil but I will do as you say anyway.

    The reason I have doubt now is that I looked up the vine weevil on the internet and there is no sign of the leaves having been munched they are just yellow & brown and hanging limply.I think what I saw was a cluster of eggs which looked like white ball bearings,I noticed also that there were a lot of red ants in the pot, do you think these were ant eggs not vine weevil.

    many thanks for your help I am feeling very depressed about all this all my other plants look beautiful but not this one.

    Millarific

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,299

    Might have got it's own ants nest. That's not too good for a plant. If it is, the ants will be frantically running around carrying eggs, trying to rescue them when you disturb the nest. Vine weevil larvae are bigger than ants eggs. Also consider slug/snail eggs, like small white ballbearings. 

    I'd get it out of the pot, and separate the roots and remove whatever is living in there. Repot in something free draining, add a bit of grit. Water in to settle the compost and see what happens. It doesn't want to dry out but lay off the excessive watering.

    Then speak to it nicely and hope it responds



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • addictaddict Posts: 659

    The cluster of eggs could just be slow release pellets in the compost or as nut says slug/snail eggs. I too think your best bet is to take it out, check roots and repot. Honestly sounds like you've overwatered. To stop ants getting in use a bit of landscape fabric over the drainage holes at the bottom. Water can get out but nasties can't get in. If there is root there it will survive. Buddleia are tough as old boots image  

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