Tag: fig tree

June 2025: Gardeners Question Time

This is now a regular and popular event in which our panel answer questions sent through in advance from members, some with illustrations or examples sent in plastic bags. The panel this year consisted of our very own CABAHS committee member and all-round plant guru Pat K, our President Sir Nicolas Bevan and horticulturalist and teacher Joe Woodcock. Sir Nicolas invited advice and contributions from the audience too, saying that in a room full of gardeners, the panel did not “have the monopoly on wisdom”. We did our best!

Our 'Amateur Gardeners' Question Time' panel, June 2025
Our esteemed panel: Pat, Nicolas and Joe

Last year we were all overwhelmed by slugs and snails, this year’s scourge is aphids! The first question related to a particularly damaging infestation on Buddleja, which seemed to have caused a virus. Several people, including Joe, have experienced the same this year. He was able to tell us that it is likely to be a specific species, the Melon-cotton aphid, which the RHS are monitoring (you can report cases to the RHS here).

Continue reading June 2025: Gardeners Question Time

Have you checked your Fig Tree recently?

A couple of months ago, we noticed the damage that was being done to the fig tree in the Old Pond Garden and realised that most other fig trees in the area were in a similar state. What was happening?

Damage to the OPG Fig Tree


We were discussing it at a volunteer session one day and Pat T indicated that she had spotted the same kind of damage on her fig tree and had contacted the RHS for advice. The RHS confirmed our suspicion that the cause is a micro-moth called Choreutis nemorana. It is being referred to as the fig-tree skeletonizer moth or fig leaf roller – for rather obvious reasons! This species is widespread in the Mediterranean and North Africa where there will be more fig trees but more natural predators too.

It was recorded in Belgium in 2009 and the first record for Britain was in 2014 in London. Since then it has spread to East Anglia, Kent and the Isle of Wight.

To understand what is happening to the fig tree, we must follow the life-cycle of the moth. The adult moth lays whitish eggs in batches on top of the leaf. The larvae or caterpillars then hatch, begin eating the leaf but just the tender bits, not the ribs (hence one of its names). They also spin silk to create a protective web or cocoon, under which they continue to eat the leaf until they pupate. There are two generations with adults flying in July and again in the autumn. The second generation over-winters in sheltered places. The caterpillar grows to about 15mm long and the moth has a wingspan of between 16 and 20mm. For more information and photos of the different stages check here.

Continue reading Have you checked your Fig Tree recently?