GB2311199A

GB2311199A - Vine weevil deterrent

Info

Publication number: GB2311199A
Application number: GB9606099A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Wallis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-03-22
Filing date: 1996-03-22
Publication date: 1997-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-22
Also published as: GB2311199B; GB9606099D0

Abstract

A plant protection device for protecting pot plants from vine weevils comprises a saucer having an island placed in the middle of the saucer. By surrounding the island, on which the plant pot containing the plant is standing, with a channel of water, the weevil is denied access to the plant. The protection device also serves the purpose of a plant pot saucer collecting any surplus water from watering of the plant. The water in the barrier also has the advantage of providing a humid micro climate around the plant.

Description

VER, WEEVIL DETERRENT.

Description.

The Vine Weevil [Otiorrhyrichus Sulcatus) is a pest well known to horticuturalists, both amateur and professional. The damage it does is caused by the larvae of the weevil eating the roots of the plant. These larvae are hatched from the eggs laid by the female during the late Summer and early Spring in the surface soil near the base ofthe plant's stem, and are particularly troublesome in pot plant culture. The effect of the grubs eating the roots of the plant is unfortunately not noticeable until the plant suddenly wilts,when by this time it is usually too late to take any remedial action and the plant dies.

At present the common measures to control the pest are by the use of chemical or biological methods, neither of which in my opinion are cheap,easy to administer or very effective, especially for the amateur grower. These controls are applied to the eradication ofthe larva not the adult. I am proposing a method of preventing the adult laying its eggs in the top soil of pot plants, and so avoiding the damage which the consequent larvae would cause. To this end I have devised a simple method which prevents the weevil from getting to the soil near the plant and therefore from depositing its eggs in the pot. It is a physical rather the a biological or chemical answer to the problem.

To our knowledge we know,that the Vine Weevil is a flightless beetle, neither can it jump long distances vertically or horizontally. For it to lay its eggs in a particular place it has to have access to that place by crawling. It is this knowledge which I have used in creating a means of preventing the weevil from getting to the soil in a pot in which to deposit its eggs.

A saucer of plastic or other suitable material is moulded so that an island is created in the middle of the saucer. The island can be constructed by pressing up the middle part ofthe base ofthe saucer, or by adding it to the base ofthe saucer from the top during the moulding process.The top of the island will be of sufficient size to accommodate a plant pot with a base of similar size,and will be l-2cms above the edge of the saucer in which it stands. The size of the saucer will be in proportion to the size ofthe island, but will have a channel between its side and the side ofthe island of at least 34cms. and a depth of at least 3Acms.This channel will be full of water and will provide a barrier to the adult weevil trying to reach the soil in the pot for its egg laying process.As the top of the island is above the rim of the saucer the plant pot will never be standing in water,which would be detrimental to its well being.As a further precaution the rim of the saucer and the top of the island will have a downward rounded curve incorporated in their construction. The sides of the saucer and island will be as near vertical as is practical as and added precaution against the weevil's crawling habits. The size of the saucer and its island will depend upon the size of the plant pot being accommodated-the larger the pot the larger the saucer and island ,but the water barrier will always be at least 3acmes deep and wide, and the rim of the saucer below that of the island.

Whatever the size or shape of the saucer will not matter providing the specifications for the water barrier,the steep sides for the saucer and island and the curved rims are adhered to. The system could be used in its basic form for common plant pot culture or if wanted a more decorative form could be used for plants which adorn the house.

An extra advantage to be gained by this method of cultivation is that many plants benefit from growing in a humid micro-climate. The water in the channel will provide this humid atmosphere around the plant in the pot to its advantage.lt will be necessary for the water in the channel to be renewed from time to time and to be successful the channel must never be allowed to dry out,or fall below the required depth of 3Acms.

Claims

This piece of horticultural equipment ,which has been devised with the knowledge of the habits of the Vine Weevil in mind, will provide a deterrent against its egg laying activities and the consequent damage that ensues. It will be inexpensive to produce and it should be therefore within the reach of any gardeners who are keen to protect their pot plants from this troublesome pest. It is simple to use requiring nothing more than the occasional topping up of the water in the channel to keep the level near the rim of the saucer.

It will also provide the role of the normal plant pot saucer,namely the provision of a receptacle for the collection of surplus water when the plant is being watered.