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Rosemary bettle... Need a rethink

Julie LanteriJulie Lanteri Posts: 133
in Problem solving

Hello everyone,

I was planning to have a small rosemary hedge... I've had those horrible beetles for a couple of years and i think it would be looking for trouble...

I'm picking them of by hand. I've also removed 2 lavenders (i don't like them anyway, sorry bees...). I need rosemary for cooking so i'll have to fight them on a plant or two but that leaves me with a strip to fill...

full sun, needs to be toddler on a tricycle resistant (as much as possible ????) and year round structure. Any ideas?image

Posts

  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    Julie, the best tip I can give you is dig a hole, fill it with sharp sand and grit, then plant the rosemary. Mine are pruned annually  back from 5 ft to 3ft. Full sun, very sharp drainage and I've never seen a rosemary beatle on a strong plant.

  • Julie LanteriJulie Lanteri Posts: 133

    Thank you Dave. I'll replant next year adding even more grit and sand!

  • BLTBLT Posts: 525

    I've got a Standard type Rosemary tree/ bush about 3ft tall had it 2 years now and never seen any beetles on it to date... What do Rosemary beetles look like then please..

    Last edited: 23 May 2016 21:48:29

  • Julie LanteriJulie Lanteri Posts: 133

    They are beautiful little things, metallic green and red stripes. The first time I saw them, I let them be, thinking they were the good guys coming to sort out whatever was damaging my plants! Forehead slap...

  • B3B3 Posts: 25,171

    I think what you suggest is right. You need to have only as many plants as you can pick over bearing in mind that you will need to do it until all the bugs have matured enough to be squashed. I found it quite therapeutic in the end, I suppose it was similar to the grooming activities of monkeys or going on an Easter egg huntimage

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • BLTBLT Posts: 525

    Thanks for the beetle description I will keep an eye on my plant..

  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,220

    I get occasional rosemary beetles on my lavender but have never seen them on the rosemary. This year my daughter's lavender and sage are absolutely covered in them but none on her rosemary either. Maybe they prefer lavender and you should keep some as a sacrificial plant? 

  • Julie LanteriJulie Lanteri Posts: 133

    They've always been on the rosemary. It was the first time on the lavender and i didn't want them to spread to the sage. I can't stand the smell of lavender so i'm not too sad to get rid of them (i definitely wouldn't go through them to pick off the beetles!). I have one lavender left, beetles free. I'm checking the rosemary every day, picking and squashing. Little one said he could help squashing by rolling over them with the tricycle... Not sure whether to be proud or worried! 

    Last edited: 24 May 2016 10:10:55

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