Re: [SG] Primula Maggots
Maggots? Are you sure that you don't have root weevils? While spring/summer
damage from weevils is mostly shown from characteristic nibblings, the root
weevil larvae will slowly destroy primulas and other plants by eating the
roots, creating theis "lingering death" that you describe. Insecticides are
largely inneffective against the larvae, but beneficial nematodes are supposed
to work well..we're in the middle of our first trial. Orthene is the only home
garden insecticide that is effective against the adults, and then there's
hand-picking. It takes diligent work with either Orthene or picking to kill
enough adults to break the reproductive cycle.
Another question..which primulas? Most "garden store" primulas, like "wandas"
and Pacific Giants, will get pretty scraggly through the winter, and others -
P. japonica, P. denticulata, P. chionantha, P. seiboldii, many others -
disappear altogether during many winters here in Zone 8 Seattle. My P. vialii
is just now emerging..
Keith Maw
Brier, WA Zone 8ish
"Michael D. Cook" wrote:
> At 09:11 PM 5/29/99 -0400, you wrote:
> >
>
> >I grow (try to grow) Primulas in a bed to which I have contributed my best
> >compost, manure etc. over the years. Its under/behind a couple of
> >rhododendrons and except for about an hour at noon, is shady.
>
> >My primroses (carefully covered with fir branches, etc. etc.) barely hung
> >on through the winter.
>
> Hello; the best protection against pests is general good health. Most
> primroses need full sun in the spring for maximum vigor. I have grown them
> in areas which were primarily shady year-round, but they were notably less
> vigorous (grew slowly, wilted easily, attracted bugs, etc.) than others
> planted in sunny spring/shady summer sites. Also, I do not know how
> thickly mulched they were - since most are evergreen, you have to be
> careful not to suffocate them. I would think the fir branches would be OK
> if placed lightly over the primroses.
>
> Diazinon will kill maggots of most kinds, if you don't object to such a
> strong poison.
>
> Sheila Smith
> mikecook@pipeline.com
> Niles, MI USA, Z 5/6
