Q. I have a bit of a quandary. My male kiwi died and I
did everything I could do to keep it alive. I then contacted Parks Seed and
they sent me a new male free of charge, not even shipping. But then something
started eating the leaves of my female kiwi. I searched every leaf and found
nothing. I thought whatever it is must be eating at night and hiding during the
day. I was right. It was a beetle. I found and identified the culprit; a black
vine weevil. Now here is my question. If they have laid eggs in the pots (still
in their one gallon originals) of my new male or the original female what do I
do to stop the infestation if there are eggs or already larva feeding on the
roots?
did everything I could do to keep it alive. I then contacted Parks Seed and
they sent me a new male free of charge, not even shipping. But then something
started eating the leaves of my female kiwi. I searched every leaf and found
nothing. I thought whatever it is must be eating at night and hiding during the
day. I was right. It was a beetle. I found and identified the culprit; a black
vine weevil. Now here is my question. If they have laid eggs in the pots (still
in their one gallon originals) of my new male or the original female what do I
do to stop the infestation if there are eggs or already larva feeding on the
roots?
A. Kiwi is a bit cold sensitive for some parts of the
valley. So be careful during the winter. However, we should be able to grow
hardy kiwi here in most locations. You will have a hard time managing this
plant in a 1 gallon container for any length of time. I would get it in the
ground.
valley. So be careful during the winter. However, we should be able to grow
hardy kiwi here in most locations. You will have a hard time managing this
plant in a 1 gallon container for any length of time. I would get it in the
ground.
Yes, it
could be a black vine weevil or possibly root weevils which are more common
here. It is possible the plant came to you with black vine weevil as a
hitchhiker. Black vine weevil adults emerge in spring and cause plant injury by
feeding upon blossoms, clusters, and small fruits.
could be a black vine weevil or possibly root weevils which are more common
here. It is possible the plant came to you with black vine weevil as a
hitchhiker. Black vine weevil adults emerge in spring and cause plant injury by
feeding upon blossoms, clusters, and small fruits.
I would
follow the same recommendations for growing it as our fruit trees; plant it in
the ground with lots of compost at the time of planting, water it in thoroughly
and stake the plant to keep it from moving, mulch the surface of the soil with
organic mulch.
follow the same recommendations for growing it as our fruit trees; plant it in
the ground with lots of compost at the time of planting, water it in thoroughly
and stake the plant to keep it from moving, mulch the surface of the soil with
organic mulch.
If you
collect some from the leaves at night and send it to the state entomologist
through the State Department of Agriculture we can get this resolved.
collect some from the leaves at night and send it to the state entomologist
through the State Department of Agriculture we can get this resolved.
Control
efforts are usually directed against the larvae living in the soil. Root
weevils come out at night, as you have discovered, and chew on the edge of
leaves leaving the edges of the leaves very raggedy looking. Control is
difficult but they usually do not cause extensive damage that would kill the
plant.
efforts are usually directed against the larvae living in the soil. Root
weevils come out at night, as you have discovered, and chew on the edge of
leaves leaving the edges of the leaves very raggedy looking. Control is
difficult but they usually do not cause extensive damage that would kill the
plant.
When
they feed on ornamentals we usually just ignore root weevils. If it is black
vine weevil you would be looking at applying an insecticide to the soil in the
container in an effort to control the larva or immature forms. You would need
to look for an insecticide which lists that it controls vine weevil, can be
used as a soil drench and is labeled for fruit crops.
they feed on ornamentals we usually just ignore root weevils. If it is black
vine weevil you would be looking at applying an insecticide to the soil in the
container in an effort to control the larva or immature forms. You would need
to look for an insecticide which lists that it controls vine weevil, can be
used as a soil drench and is labeled for fruit crops.