What has happened to my polyanthus?
I was so pleased with the polyanthus in my garden last year (picture attached). I added lots more in the Autumn - and this is what they look like this year. (picture attached). What on earth are the corky growths on each one? I planted some more of the same variety in a different part of the garden and they are fine.
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They do look a bit unhappy so it might be worth looking to see if vine weevil larvae have burrowed into the stems just below soil level. I have just had a similar problem with some primroses..
Thank you for your interest. I will dig one up tomorrow.
Yes something has gone for their roots.
The corky stuff is just what passes for a stem.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
The ones in my window box look a bit sad too, but that is because a pheasant keeps standing on them to tell me to hurry up with breakfast
I found the same thing had happened to one of mine that was in a tub today, I dug around and found lots of vine weevil grubs. Tomorrow I will empty out the whole tub and check out the rest. There are also lots of bulbs in the tub that are emerging, so I hope I can save them.
Very disappointed to report that I couldn't find any vine weevil grubs ( never thought I'd say that!). Only 2 degrees out there - but dug up about ten. Although the roots are sparse, there is no sign of them having been eaten away. Do you have any more ideas? I suppose I should remove all thirty plants. What do I need to do then? Thanks to everyone in advance.
Cutworm?
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
You could try potting them up and giving them a lot of TLC but it might be better to just bin the lot and start again. Its far too easy to get emotionally attached to plants (I know.....I have a lot of things that ought to have been given the boot years ago) when sometimes it is just better to be brutal.
I think you're right. I'm going to dig them all up. Would you recommend treating the soil with anything before I replant?
Difficult to treat it if you don't know the problem. Maybe just leave it polyanthus free for a while, a bit like crop rotation in the veg patch.