Marianne's Response
What happened to my Shamrock plants?
I have had a bed of green and purple shamrock plants for 20 years. When I moved, I filled several containers with the plants and took them with me. After the winter, I kept wondering why the plants were not coming up. I started digging in the containers and found small insects that looked like pieces of rice. They were not alive. No one can tell me what they were.They ate the plants from the inside. Any ideaswhat they were and how I can make sure it doesn’t happen again? Thank you.
Posted by larhonda roberts on May 13, 2015
Marianne's Response
Sounds like root weevils invaded the roots or corms of your shamrock (oxalis) plants. Placing the roots into pots caused a quick build up of the weevil larvae and they had no other food except the roots. Do not reuse the soil in those pots or try to plant the infected Shamrock roots. I suggest starting with fresh Shamrock plants from a nursery and plant them into the soil of your new garden this spring. This way they will become established before winter arrives. The luck of the Irish will be with you this time around. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti
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