Primula vialii - Gone!

[Marb67]

I can't believe that this beautiful plant I have had 2 years running, hardy and reliable has completely vanished. I mean everything has gone when I tipped out the terracotta pot. It was a very strong, healthy plant. Can't be vine weevil as it was so established, and there was only one in the soil when I tipped it out. This plant wasn't cheap either. Utterly soul destroying!

[Andraste]

Aww that is a shame Marb.

Even one vine weevil grub can do a lot of damage but only to the roots & the adults just make those unsightly notches in leaves rather than doing serious damage (usually - unless you've got a lot of them). It's most likely slugs/snails that munch the new growth in spring & with all the wet/damp but mostly mild for the year weather we've had they're probably loving the conditions

[Peanut]

Sorry Marb, that is such a pretty flower too. I agree with Andraste, a combination of vine weevils, slugs and snails.

[Marb67]

Sorry Marb, that is such a pretty flower too. I agree with Andraste, a combination of vine weevils, slugs and snails.

Very hard to believe as the plant was so dense and established. I mean there was no trace of anything except soil.

[Peanut]

Very hard to believe as the plant was so dense and established. I mean there was no trace of anything except soil.

That's is strange Marb. You don't think it might have been dug up by something? (I'm really clutching at straws here!)

[Jungle Jane]

Can't be vine weevil as it was so established, and there was only one in the soil when I tipped it out.

Theres nematodes available for vine weevil to water in all your pots. Vine weevils favourite plants are strawberry in pots,in the soil they’re not affected. I had vine weevil evidence on my overwintered brussel sprouts years ago (I’d sowed in Sept,planted out maybe Feb & it happened around early March). Notches in the leaves but no trace of them ever again,I wonder what in nature helped maybe birds,or nowhere suitable for their eggs?
Edit to add,sowing the sprouts in September was an experiment & it was alright they just grow extra slow in the winter

[Marb67]

That's is strange Marb. You don't think it might have been dug up by something? (I'm really clutching at straws here!)

No. It's illogical that nothing is left as the soil in the pot was undisturbed.

[Peanut]

That is a mystery for sure. I'm afraid I am completly flummoxed.

[mothhawk]

Probably slugs or snails have eaten the top growth while the weevil polished off the roots, munching away in the pot since autumn.

[seasprout]

I’ve had this happen with the named primula species, the same one as you and primula denticulata.

looks good for a few years, then nothing… gone.

its a very short lived I find.