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| much chomped bay tree |
"Did you just say wine is evil?"
"No, vine weevil! I think my bay tree is being eaten by a vine weevil. Mr Google suggests that we examine the plant after dark because that's when they come out to eat."
So, last night, Paul and I crept out in the darkness and shone our torches on the bay tree. (Rick came out too and immediately started barking at the bats that were swooping around the garden.) Straightaway we spotted a vine weevil in the light beam munching away on a bay leaf. He was quickly dispatched and we checked the plant for other pests but he seemed to be a solitary diner. We shall go out again tonight and make further checks. Even if we don't find any more weevils it's a bit of a giggle creeping around the garden after dark. I know, we should get out more!
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| vine weevil |
Vine weevils are a real pest for pot grown shrubs. We probably need to repot the bay tree and check the soil for grubs too.
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| a prettier and more welcome visitor to the garden |
Moroccans always put fruit in tagines. Bay trees are nice for weevils to chomp sometimes I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI usually put apricots in my tagines.
DeletePlenty of butterflies around at the moment. Yours is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteWe have an abundance of Peacock and Tortoiseshell butterflies in the garden at the moment.
DeleteNo chomping on my Bay Trees. I reckon I use about 20-30 leaves a year, but the annual prunings fill two wheelbarrows. I think I need smaller and less pampered trees.
ReplyDeleteOur bay tree is still quite small so it needs some pampering.
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ReplyDeleteWhen you say you "dispatched" the innocent vine weevil, how did you do it? I imagine that Paul has a rifle with which he blasted the poor creature. How would you like to be "dispatched" when chomping on a pork tagine?
ReplyDeleteCrushed.
DeleteThe photo of the butterfly is lovely. Perhaps you can keep it and use it as a subject when you return to your art classes? Much better than painting plastic flowers !
ReplyDeleteAnything is better than plastic flowers!
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