Primroses have died...tell me why.

[ganesh]

I planted primroses in pots and some of them have died and gone flat-looking (still with loads of buds) When I went to pull them up there were no roots. It was as if they were just lying on the surface. What has happened?

[Hawkwalk]

they have either rotted due to over-watering or the roots have been eaten by something that lives in the soil such as vine weevil larvae.

[boxtops]

I get suspicious of larvae like leatherjackets, but I think it's a bit early for them.

[smurfchops]

Check the earth .. they may NEED water

[ganesh]

I suppose they may have dried out at some stage but then why would some of them be fine? Can't see any insects or anything but maybe there's something lurking in there.

[Hawkwalk]

drying out does not explain why there are no roots so I would doubt it is that

[masma]

The very same thing has happened to mine and my neighbours primroses. Whan I pulled mine up the roots were gone but in the earth there were white maggoty things and brown weavely things, a bit like leather jackets but flatter. They were in my window box so we've replaced the soil and hope the bugs are all gone.

[woofgang]

masma you have vine weevils. If you haven't already done so THROW AWAY IN THE BIN the soil from the primroses. Vine weevils are horrible and can destroy your garden, especially patio pots. The olny thing that kills them is provado. I don't generally use pesticides but in their case i make an exception.

[ganesh]

I can't see anything in my soil woofgang but do you think I may have a similar problem? Mine are in patio pots.

[tamborine]

Have they been forced in a greenhouse. The roots would be surface grown from over-head watering and if now outside, they could wither due to temp change.

They will harden up & grow so long as they're kept damp and frost-free.

[woofgang]

tip the pot right out and go carefully through the soil. The grubs are white and glisten, as they get older they go harder and browner. They tend to be dotted through the pot and don't stay near the top

[AlBags]

Definitely Vine Weevil larva ...

Get some nematodes in a kit from a good garden centre, and water into all areas. Check the soil for the larva (like small maggotts) .... or throw it away!
The hard, brown, vine weevils (adults) love rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, too, so if you have them, check after dark around edges of leaves with a torch. Crush any you find.