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raisedbed Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 25 Mar 2010 Posts: 20
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Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 5:08 pm Post subject: Wireworm In potatoes???? |
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Hi all,
I'm a beginner vegetable grower this year and have planted potatoes (British Queens) in a few of my raised beds, Out of curiosity and the want to see what way and how quick things grow I said I would sacrifice a seed after 2 weeks.I went out today and dug up 1 of the seeds (planted the saturday after Paddy's day) and on inspection found some kind of grub sticking out of the seed(by looking online it looks like a wireworm?).I purchased a load of topsoil last year and put it into the raised beds,no manure, fertiliser or pesticides has been applied to the beds. Im looking for advice on the best way to move forward here as I dont want my crop to fail on the 1st attempt,Should I treat the soil with a pesticide?should i be applying some kind of vertiliser now or is my crop beyond saving???.I've tried to attach a picture but its 1.18MB and wont let me post it
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James Kilkelly Rank: Site Admin

Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 2173 Location: West of Ireland
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michael brenock Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 1275 Location: cork
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Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 8:39 am Post subject: |
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you got the wireworms in with the soil and while the damage to the seed potato is bad it is far worse when it transfers on to the developing potato. the wire worm is a small yellow /brown maggot smooth skinned about half inch long. it is unlikely that eggs were laid by the beetle and hatched out already, you almost certainly got them with the soil. without resorting to chemicals just fork over the soil and remove any worm you might come across.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)
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raisedbed Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 25 Mar 2010 Posts: 20
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Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 9:55 am Post subject: |
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Thanks guys for the replies,I was onto a local garden center and the man that owns it has a chemical (I cant rem. the name) but he says it will kill everything thats in the ground ie vine weevil etc etc, Is this a good idea or is it not good to have certain incects in your ground.Ive also resized the picture of the culprit that was in my seed,Is it wireworm?
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James Kilkelly Rank: Site Admin

Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 2173 Location: West of Ireland
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Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 11:55 am Post subject: |
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Quote: | I was onto a local garden center and the man that owns it has a chemical (I cant rem. the name) |
Would love to know what this is.
Try to find out the name for us please.
Quote: | but he says it will kill everything thats in the ground ie vine weevil etc etc,
Is this a good idea or is it not good to have certain incects in your ground. |
Even earthworms? That sounds severe.
Quote: | Ive also resized the picture of the culprit that was in my seed,Is it wireworm? |
Looks like wireworm to me.
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sirpsycho Rank attained: Pedunculate oak tree
Joined: 15 Mar 2010 Posts: 341 Location: Stamullen, Co Meath
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Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 12:01 pm Post subject: |
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from google images...
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raisedbed Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 25 Mar 2010 Posts: 20
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Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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Found out the name James its called Sipyrfos (48 i think) I tried looking it up but cant seem to get much info on it,have you heard of it before,also the man in the center said if there is wireworm in the ground you cant grow spuds in it for 7 years,is this true?and if it is true what could I grow in the beds were the potatoes are in?
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Michael196 Rank attained: Silver Birch Tree


Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 194 Location: WEXFORD
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Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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My understanding is that wireworm is common is new soil , i.e. newly transported or relaocted, and dies out with time. I had a new raised bed last year with trasnsplanted soil and got a wireworm problem in the soil. this years digging over , i removed and killed any wireworm i found and left them for the birds. In one patch i found a concentration of wire worm with the remainder of the veg patch relativly free of wire worm . Consider that your infestation may be localised to a particular spot or location, dig about a bit and kill any u find, but dont assume whole crop affected .
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James Kilkelly Rank: Site Admin

Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 2173 Location: West of Ireland
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 1:15 am Post subject: |
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Quote: | Found out the name James its called Sipyrfos (48 i think) I tried looking it up but cant seem to get much info on it,have you heard of it before,
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This the active ingredient of that product........ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorpyrifos
Have a good read of this and the linked documents at the bottom of that page to help you make up your mind as to its use.
As far as I know this product is not legal for use by the home gardener.
Quote: | also the man in the center said if there is wireworm in the ground you cant grow spuds in it for 7 years,is this true?
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I would have said 5
Quote: | and if it is true what could I grow in the beds were the potatoes are in? |
some possible ideas.....
Peas, French and runner beans, the first year.
Cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, broccoli, radish, swedes and turnips the second year.
Onions, garlic, shallots, scallions and leeks the third year.
Carrot, parsnip, beetroot, parsley the forth year.
_________________ Gardening books.
http://www.allotments.ie/ Ireland's allotments.
On Twitter... http://twitter.com/Allotments
Garden Consultation & Design.
Try my Garden Design home study course!
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raisedbed Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 25 Mar 2010 Posts: 20
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Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 10:19 am Post subject: |
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Thanks all for the great replies,my brother recommended this site to me and he was right, it is great to be able to find answers from experienced people than reading through a book for answers.
James I was happy to see the amount of different things that i can still plant so thanks for your reply.
What I am going to do is let my potatoes run its course and if they are wiped out when i go to dig them I will know then for definite.I will take a few pics throughout the growing time of the crop as well as when i harvest them and if they are destroyed I will post a few pics on this thread so other members can see the damage inflicted by wireworm.(I will leave out the 1 of me sitting in the corner of my garden crying like a new born lol)
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michael brenock Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 1275 Location: cork
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:47 pm Post subject: |
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chlorpyriphos was sold in the past on an approved list as Dursban for the prevention and control of carrot root fly. Dursban is a rather dangerous product and has mood altering qualities so avoid it. Plants were usually sprayed with it in controlled (enclosed areas) before they are planted out. Avoid it.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)
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