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Geranium attack!

Welsh DaffodilWelsh Daffodil Posts: 38
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Can anyone tell me what happened to my geraniums?  I planted up several pots of geraniums this summer and they were looking great.  Then they suddenly started looking a bit miserable.  On further investigation, I noticed the leaves had been eaten away and only stalks remained.  There were tiny black grubs on the leaves and a couple of green caterpillers!  My next door neighbour has cabbages in his garden, so would this be the problem?  I have seen several white cabbage butterflies around, and thought maybe they were laying their eggs on my geraniums too.  Any advice on this please?

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  • UnknownUnknown

    Hi, Welsh Daffodil....it's those little green caterpillars that are doing the damage. Unfortunately geraniums are always troubled by them at this time of year.

    My guess would be that those 'black grubs' are the faeces of the green caterpillars.

    You’ll need to act fairly quickly as the little blighters can defoliate the plants in a matter of days.

    An application of ‘Bugclear’ spray will sort them out and (as it remains effective for six weeks) it should last until the end of the season.

    Btw, these are not related to cabbage caterpillars.  

     

     

  • UnknownUnknown

    I do rather wonder sometimes why someone would take the trouble to ask a question and when someone else takes the trouble to try to help, why they would not have the courtesy to acknowledge that help.

    It does happen too frequently on this forum.

     

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 3,277
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • CluelessGardenerCluelessGardener Posts: 878

    I totally agree David K

    I always check my post/question and thank all involved as to the outcome.

    this forum is full of people giving good advice so it normally a matter of 30 min before you have a reply.

    some people are just strange.

     

    James 

     

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,088

    Some people's lives take unexpected turns and they're not always able to follow things up immediately (sometimes never image) .  I try to assume that something's happened which means the OP is now thinking of other things rather than that they are being deliberately rude - that is unless they make a habit of it, in which case I blame their parents - they probably didn't make them write thank you letters after Christmas! image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • UnknownUnknown

    Ermm..... No wish to dwell on this matter, but as someone who has been around these parts for longer than most, I can assure you that some very knowledgeable gardeners no longer contribute to this forum for the reason I mentioned.

    It is a very relevant & valid point!

     

  • Alan4711Alan4711 Posts: 1,657
    Hi all ,,Hi Dave ,your right iv noticed this when iv seen the question asked that i also needed the answer to,this has happened quite often so i usually hijack the answer,er and thank them myself,manners cost nothing mi dad used to say and i think sometimes people spend quite some time checking that their advise is correct,its all and still is a great help to a beginner like me ,i also just love the funny cheeky bits we get treated to now and again, AND iv not exchanged contracts yet, estate agents id swing em from the yard arm i really would and they want paying loads, im off
  • Welsh DaffodilWelsh Daffodil Posts: 38

    Hi everyone.  First of all I apologise to everyone who has been offended by my not replying promptly, but I do lead a very busy life.  I am not able to sit at my computer for hours on end, so I am sorry in not replying earlier.  I am really a well mannered person, so am disappointed to hear so many barbed remarks for my late response.  Thank you for your advice David K, I will certainly use the spray recommended next summer.  Also thankyou Verdun for your advice.  image   

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