what's eating my plants?!

[caro ed]

Novice gardener, so sorry if this is obvious, but I have a couple of young beech plants and also a shrub that are being decimated by something.. is it slugs?? If so, I can't follow how they only go for one of the beech saplings when the 2 on either side are pretty much untouched?? It's literally like something has systematically chomped through every single bit of foliage on the beech, and the shrub (think it's called Viburnum) which is actually not planted anywhere near the beech is looking like it might go the same way... HELP!

[*Bob*]

Check the Viburnum leaves for small yellowy-green caterpillars with black bits at each end. After rain on a warm day, sniff said Viburnum leaves and see if they smell like a mixture of animal poo and vomit.

If so.. Say hello to the Viburnum Leaf Beetle..

[caro ed]

Seriously? Animal poo & vomit?! Blimey, i didn't realise gardening was so harrowing :-) Thanks for the advice Bob, i shall go have a look as just watered it earlier.

[david_carnell]

*Bob*.....errr....wtf? Where's this come from?

For years we've just assumed you're a bitter composer of TV jingles and all the time you've been hiding your inner Titchmarsh.

[*Bob*]

If there's one thing guaranteed to cause you more bitterness than writing TV jingles... it's gardening.

[david_carnell]

Right then.....why aren't I getting any fruit on my blueberry bush. It's in ericacious compost and everything.

[*Bob*]

Because nature is inherently cruel and she has decided - in her ultimate wisdom - that you don't deserve any blueberries.

[david_carnell]

Damn it! That's what I'd feared.

[The Minkey]

Lack of second blueberry to get jiggy with, David?

[david_carnell]

How do I know what sex my blueberry bush is and what to therefore buy in another?

Is that the issue? Pollination? And is the only solution to buy another?

[Frankito]

Best buy five just to be sure as some of those bushes can be misleadingly effeminate, like ladyboys of the plant world.

[KalamityKel]

I guess now would not b a good time to mention my concern of the sad savage munching (from some insect based fiend) and possible demise of my courgette plant?

no?

[Frankito]

That would be Bob

[caro ed]

hmmm no caterpillars or poo/vomit smell, Bob. Going to see if leaving some Guiness in a nearby bowl results in a slug massacre in which case I know who the culprits are!