Tree lillies unknown pests

Discussion in 'Container Gardening' started by Black Orchid, May 17, 2021.

  1. Black Orchid

    Black Orchid Gardener

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    I have several pots with tree lilies. I know that they are loved by snails, slugs and red lilly beatles which make holes in leaves. But this spring I have noticed unusual damage to the lily leaves which look like long cuttings. I have inspected the leaves. I have not noticed any insects on them, no any larvae. Some peony leaves are damaged the same way.
    I hope more experienced gardeners can help me to solve the riddle and advise me what to do.
    Meanwhile I am going to spray my lilies with neem oil + soap in water. IMG_20210516_181659.jpg IMG_20210516_181650.jpg IMG_20210516_181646.jpg IMG_20210516_181634.jpg IMG_20210516_181630.jpg IMG_20210516_181624.jpg
     
  2. noisette47

    noisette47 Total Gardener

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    Hi, I think it is slug or snail damage. There's a small, white-shelled snail (no bigger than a little fingernail) that causes similar damage to my Iris and Lily leaves. Have you tried checking them by torchlight at night?
     
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    • Black Orchid

      Black Orchid Gardener

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      Thank you. I will try checking them at night. How do you get rid off them?
       
    • noisette47

      noisette47 Total Gardener

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      A couple of nights prowling round the garden with a torch and a bucket with a bit of salt in it. Add 2 litres of water, stir, leave on a low heat....oups, no, that's a different recipe :roflol:. Seriously, when the weather's dry, little pots of beer half-sunk in the soil sorts out big snails and slugs, but the little white horrors I just flick off into a bucket, crush and give to the chickens. Crushing would do if you haven't got poultry :) Perhaps leave them in an out-of-the-way corner for hedgehogs and birds to dispose of?
       
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      • Black Orchid

        Black Orchid Gardener

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        Hi Noisette47,
        Thank you very much for your advice.
        I inspected the lilies last night and surprise surprise I have not seen a single creature on them. So I am more puzzled now and want to know who is damaging the leaves of my plants.
         
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        I think its slug damage, due to all the wet weather.
        I use those Ferric Phosphate pellets, just a very light scattering.
        I think they work to some extent.
         
      • noisette47

        noisette47 Total Gardener

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        I'm puzzled too, because it really does resemble slug or snail damage. Are there any silvery trails anywhere around that area?
         
      • Black Orchid

        Black Orchid Gardener

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        Hi Noisette47, no I haven't seen any silvery trails anywhere.
         
      • noisette47

        noisette47 Total Gardener

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        What a mystery! I'd put a couple of slug pellets in each pot, as a precaution, then check daily for lily beetles. Apart from that, there's not a lot else you can do until the pest is identified :)
         
      • Spruce

        Spruce Glad to be back .....

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        Hi

        Looks like a slug or snail damage as its gone for the tasty tender part in the middle of the leaf .. has this only just happened with all the rain we have had ? as April was very dry and I had very little damage on hosta etc but now I am having to keep a eye out ,,, have a look under all the pots in the area see if you can see hiding


        Spruce
         
      • Black Orchid

        Black Orchid Gardener

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        Thank you all for your replies.
        I have noticed that some other plant leaves have the same damage as if they are torn. The damage is very unusual as I have never seen such before. And I can't see any pests.
         
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        • Flat1

          Flat1 Gardener

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          All Plants adapt to their new environments in diffrent ways

          So it could just be your plant reorganising its DNA expression

          Or it could be Nimatodes
          You will not be able to see them with the naked eye as they are smaller than small.
           
          Last edited: May 29, 2021
        • Flat1

          Flat1 Gardener

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          Deffo sounds like nematodes(microsopic worms)
          Possibly Aphelen choids
          Not all nematodes are bad btw
          Although i really hope im wrong as that would be it for your plants.
          This link might help i found it after completing this post.

          Lily (Lilium spp.)-Nematode, Foliar

          Although it might be a plant virus causing the damage.

          There is a number of different nematode species, 33 at least

          This could be a foliar nematode.
          (Aphelen choides ssp)

          I had to learn this lesson the hard way too

          Dont bring nematode-infested plants/soil to your garden
          Dont compost any suspected materials as that will spread the worms
          Anything from a garden centre must be sterilised or at the very least quarantined well away from your sacred garden space

          High heat kills nematodes
          Once introduced they are very very very very very difficult to deal with

          I just grow from seed indoors to avoid this
          If i put a plant outside it can never come back to the grow space.

          I run my own plant nursery for scientific experiments and I also sell on ebay

          20210529_213853.jpg
          The above image is the proceeds from a 60cmx120cm space seeds germinated February.

          BTW nematodes love sand and extra waterings as well as extra fertiliser
           
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            Last edited: May 30, 2021
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