Rhodo pest

[ian mcenery]

This is a leaf from R Montroseanum which every year seems to suffer with some pest eating new leaves. There are plenty of other Rhodos in the garden but this gets the most attention. Any ideas and any suggestions on a cure

[Ian Y]

Ian the chew pattern suggests a catapiller of some type to me. It is probably active at night so sitting up with a torch may be the only way.

[ian mcenery]

Thanks Ian I will try that . Let's hope it stops raining so I can go out tonight

[Lesley Cox]

The leaves look just a little bit chloritic as well Ian, maybe too alkaline a soil? You could add some peat or perhaps flowers of sulphur or similar to green them up. What's that stuff we used to be able to get - began with s I think - that we could water on to acidify the soil?

[ian mcenery]

You are right  Lesley but I have checked the soil previosly and it was about 6.5 so not alkaline. I have been playing with the soil as I believe there was once a gravel path and this would have been an alkaline (Breedon ) gravel which seems to have affected more than one plant on this side of the garden. Have added the usual sequestrine and some others and although not yet normal it is getting better

[Maggi Young]

 There is a product in the Miracle Grow range that is great for a tonic for ailing rhodos... Miracid... seems to be like a stiff G &T  in effect!

[Anthony Darby]

I don't think there are any British caterpillars that will eat rhododendron leaves? Vine weevils do, and the damage will be magnified as young leaves expand.

[Maggi Young]

I don't think there are any British caterpillars that will eat rhododendron leaves?

Really, Anthony? I wish you'd come and tell the little munchers that! I don't know what kind(s) they are, but caterpillars munching rhodos do exist around here.... damage is quite distinct from weevil chomping.
A new rhodo leaf, especially of the indumentum-less type, can be a tender tatsy morsel , it seems.

Indumentum is a good protective against most diners.... must gum up the chops sumat cruel!

[Anthony Darby]

Send me a pic Maggie and I'll try to identify them?

[Maggi Young]

No pics, Anthony and damge done now so might be next year before we get more. They seem to  be nocturnal... catch a few then, quickly squished, not examined!

[Armin]

If not caterpillars - how about wasps as an alternative cause?

[ian mcenery]

Thanks for all of the intersting theories I will try to observe more closely. Maggie I did see something on the planty but unfortunatelt knocked it to the ground and was unable to identify it. . Armin at present the wasps are eating garden furniture and the fence though its not really damage at all

[Lesley Cox]

There is a product in the Miracle Grow range that is great for a tonic for ailing rhodos... Miracid... seems to be like a stiff G &T  in effect!

Lead me to it then