Pests, Diseases and Cures

Hornbeam, I am starting to get confused, my friend. Never mind, I get confused when I read simple poetry so it doesn't take much. I do like the "legend" that slugs pollinate Aspidistras so I'll spread that word - folks will be well impressed!Cheers! Roy

The proper name for your tree is Aesculus x mutabilis Induta. This is a large shrub or small tree with apricot/yellow coloured flowers in Summer. A large shrub is defined by Hillier as being over 3m (10 feet) tall at 10 years old. A similar one which we have has suffered terribly this year from...

Totally agree, my friend.

:D :D :D :D :D you had better get a few of these to calm your nerves, then get to the shops for a wig

Sorry, Fancy, I have just found this looking for something else. I have seen a trail or two so they must be around, but I think we are too dry for them as they have no houses to hide in like snails! :D :D :D

Thanks Sally B

Giant Diving Beetles (Dytiscus marginalis)are fierce beasties and so are their larvae which are known as "water tigers" They will certainly attack fish, frogs, tadpoles and anything else that moves. Best way of reducing the population is to wait before putting anything edible in your new pond....

Thanks Rich - will also keep an eye on mine :(

Thanks for that, Hornbeam. :D

Thankfully it has not affected both beds of tatties so I will hopefully be able to store the other bed.many thanks

This is the method I use ...Wash fruit and discard any doubtful ones. Wash and dry the jars.(I'm assuming you are using rubber sealed preserving jars) Check the rubber ring, making sure they are not torn..and the jars are not chipped. This will affect the sealing. Fill the jars as full as...

Hi David, very often chillies are green when you eat them (ie ripe when green) but very often not (very helpful!??). Totally depends upon the variety and I am not able to tell you the type of chilli that you have purchased in the supermarket as I get my chillies from an online company:...

My client and I have been ogling her Greengage for weeks. It is seriously laden with delicious ripening fruit. This weekend the rain just tipped down. My client came out this morning, almost inconsolable; absolutely all the greengages have swollen up and split! Apparent;y they are now ripe so...

Thanks for that...yes, I have deadheaded and tidied up the plant and it looks revived, and will continue to flower for a wee while yet.

Yes, I know the one you mean - my neighbours have put in several of those, and some rosa rugosa, both as hedges. They smell and look great. Shires - sussex, kent, and several other counties all have roses named after them - I know various people who have several, and have a bed of "shires...

I am afraid to say but mine were being eaten alive by the caterpillars so the organic gardening went out of the window and they got bug clear!! They are now thriving.

little black flies love yellow, but don't suppose it is flowering now, so can't be that.

I have a victoria plum and a greengage tree - both have lots of fruit this year but a lot of it is infested with small pink maggots. Obviously it's a bit late to do anything this year but does anyone know what i can do to prevent this happening again?

I have loads of leaches in my top fishless pond, but have never seen one in the bottom fish pond.

Does anyone know an effective way of getting rid of these beasties? Major infestations on PSB and brussels sprouts.