AusBonsai

At the recent bonsai northwest meeting I was asked by a member what the best approach was to treat curl grub that was chewing away inside his fig. After being shooshed by members for talking while pup was starting his demo I suggested he look here but I don't think he has....
Any help would be appreciated, then I can look good when I give him the correct advice next meeting

when you say 'inside his fig' is that ... in the root mass? or in a rotten part of the trunk?

and if you know it's there, why wouldn't remove it and kill it?

if it's an infestation in the roots, then in a month or two, remove all the grubs, repot into a totally clean soil mix (I'm sure you can help him on that front )

my for what its worth

Bareroot and repot into Diatomite based mix. > 50% diatomite, ( or Pimice) and you will never see another on in the roots

Ken

Bareroot and repot into Diatomite based mix. > 50% diatomite, ( or Pimice) and you will never see another on in the roots

I did that to a large fig and great result.

kcpoole wrote:Bareroot and repot into Diatomite based mix. > 50% diatomite, ( or Pimice) and you will never see another on in the roots

Ken

Interesting
I always use a mix which is about 50% diatomite and had never seen a curl grub until June this year.
While repotting a tree which was potted a year earlier by someone else in a different mix. I was horrified and wondered how many more I would find but after many more repots I have found no more grubs.
You have set my mind at ease.

Sound like good advice to me
Thanks people.

Gerard wrote:

kcpoole wrote:Bareroot and repot into Diatomite based mix. > 50% diatomite, ( or Pimice) and you will never see another on in the roots

Ken

Interesting
I always use a mix which is about 50% diatomite and had never seen a curl grub until June this year.
While repotting a tree which was potted a year earlier by someone else in a different mix. I was horrified and wondered how many more I would find but after many more repots I have found no more grubs.
You have set my mind at ease.

From what I gather, they cannot or do not like to lay eggs,(or hatch them) in the gritty mix. Whether it stops them laying in it, or kills them when young I have no idea.

Ken

Damian Bee wrote:At the recent bonsai northwest meeting I was asked by a member what the best approach was to treat curl grub that was chewing away inside his fig. After being shooshed by members for talking while pup was starting his demo I suggested he look here but I don't think he has....
Any help would be appreciated, then I can look good when I give him the correct advice next meeting

So it was you