Peach Sunsation

Garden World horticulturist JJ van Rensburg answers all your gardening queries

14 March 2015

Reader’s Question
My ‘Peach Sunsation’ bushes were quite happy until a few weeks ago but now one of them has died and on closer inspection I saw little yellow eggs, which are quite soft and watery, at the rotted roots. What on earth is this and what must I do?

JJ’s Answer
It sounds like termite damage, but it could also be soil weevil or even a type of mouse. Inspect the root neck – the section between the actual roots and the stems above soil; you’re likely to find the bark has been chewed away. When the job is done and the plant wilts, the pests move off to the next one. The most effective remedy would be drenching with Zero Termite. Otherwise, make three holes with a broom handle or pole about 10cm deep around each plant, pour in a heaped teaspoon of Blue Death, top up with soil and water well.

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