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Question & Answer

We are discussing Gardening, Growing and Green Thumbs!
With Brian Walters, Diana O'Brien and Pauline Cornish

Question:
I have a vine called Happy Wanderer which I recently planted. The leading tendral grew vigorously until something nipped it off. Can you tell me what sort of bug does this and how can I stop it ?

Answer:
Diana - Common names are sometimes a problem in identifying a plant but I am assuming that your Happy Wanderer is the native False sarsaparilla - Hardenbergia violaceae which bears either white, pink or mauve flowers.

While a number of caterpillars feed on the foliage - the Painted Apple moth in particular can be very destructive, the fact that a once strongly growing tip shoot has been nipped off suggests that you may have a possum problem. Alternatively, members of the parrot family are also partial to tender new growth. New shoots will be forthcoming.

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