Pest identification
What's eating my gymnocarpium dryopteris 'plumosum'?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes and tattered edges on the fine, lacy fronds; most damaging to young croziers in spring
Control: Use iron phosphate-based pellets; encourage natural predators (hedgehogs, frogs); hand-pick after dark or after rain
Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Signs: Notched frond margins from adult feeding; grubs destroy thin rhizomes causing patches to die back
Control: Water in Steinernema kraussei nematodes in late summer while soil remains above 5°C (41°F); remove grubs manually when dividing clumps
Deer
Signs: Fronds browsed to the ground; particularly damaging in early spring when emerging growth is tender
Control: Install deer fencing or apply repellent sprays around woodland plantings; place plants in enclosed beds
Keep gymnocarpium dryopteris 'plumosum' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats oak fern — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common gymnocarpium dryopteris 'plumosum' problems & fixes
- Gymnocarpium dryopteris 'Plumosum' watering schedule
- Gymnocarpium dryopteris 'Plumosum' light requirements
- Full gymnocarpium dryopteris 'plumosum' care guide
Gymnocarpium dryopteris 'Plumosum' pests — FAQ
What is eating my gymnocarpium dryopteris 'plumosum'?
Gymnocarpium dryopteris 'Plumosum' (oak fern) is a delicate woodland groundcover with few significant pest problems. Slugs and snails are the main threat to its lacy fronds. Vine weevil can damage roots in moist shade beds. Deer browse new spring growth in open woodland gardens.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on gymnocarpium dryopteris 'plumosum'?
Holes and tattered edges on the fine, lacy fronds; most damaging to young croziers in spring Use iron phosphate-based pellets; encourage natural predators (hedgehogs, frogs); hand-pick after dark or after rain
How do I get rid of vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) on gymnocarpium dryopteris 'plumosum'?
Notched frond margins from adult feeding; grubs destroy thin rhizomes causing patches to die back Water in Steinernema kraussei nematodes in late summer while soil remains above 5°C (41°F); remove grubs manually when dividing clumps
How do I get rid of deer on gymnocarpium dryopteris 'plumosum'?
Fronds browsed to the ground; particularly damaging in early spring when emerging growth is tender Install deer fencing or apply repellent sprays around woodland plantings; place plants in enclosed beds