best way to wash plant pots?

Davesnave

A._Badger wrote: »

I don't wash everything - just seed-sowing equipment and small pots when I'm potting on. You're right - life is too short to wash the lot!

Vine weevil is a devil. I was pretty sure I hadn't got any until I up-ended a pot a few weeks ago, cleared out the compost and found the little devils in there. I can only conclude that they arrived on a bought-in pelargonium or fuchsia, as I'm building up my stock of these having moved house.

I'm really cross that nurseries are still selling plants infested with vine weevil - there is really no excuse..

I'd agree about being fussy when sowing some seeds. I'd also like to know how Lotus Eater has stayed vine-weevil free, because the little devils can walk from neighbour to neighbour.

As a former nursery person, I can understand that the odd weevil will get through, despite the owner's best efforts. I dosed all of my plants quite generously with nematodes last October, but there's still a few larvae about. I will give them another treatment in a week or two when. theoretically, I'll be weevil free, but I wouldn't bet on it! One thing I'm sure of; the adults will be back again by August.

peter_the_piper

We never had a vine weevil until the farmer next door stopped growing strawberries through plastic and ploughed them in, within weeks we were inundated. Nematodes and chemicals are all we can do to keep them at bay.
Would still prefer to wash pots if possible mainly to remove weed seeds from around the rim.

Lotus-eater

Davesnave wrote: »

I'd agree about being fussy when sowing some seeds. I'd also like to know how Lotus Eater has stayed vine-weevil free, because the little devils can walk from neighbour to neighbour.

Well I don't know, I hardly ever buy plants in, just lucky I suppose.

Lotus-eater

I know its a bit off topic, but when you do buy plants in, is there any way of checking for vine weevil? Quarantine perhaps?

Davesnave

Lotus-eater wrote: »

I know its a bit off topic, but when you do buy plants in, is there any way of checking for vine weevil? Quarantine perhaps?

No need. For individual ones in pots, a dose of Provado will sort any out and, unlike nematodes, it will last for ages. I use it that way, but the 'wiggly wonders' are for mass dosing autumn and late spring, because they're easier, cheaper and generally more effective in that context.

Lotus-eater

So if you see leaves being nibbled, deal with it, otherwise don't lose any sleep?