[monsta]

what causes hole in the leaves?

or what can cause holes in leaves, could it be a cranberry wireworm?

they are getting quite prolific any suggestions?

[Trillium]

It does sound like you have cranberry rootworm which thrives in the plant litter below your plant. You'll need to remove all traces of mulch, dead leaves, all other bits of material for some distance in which the pest can hide in during the day as it's a night feeder so you won't spot it otherwise. At night it will crawl to the plant to feed so you'll need to get hold of a spray and catch them in the act, usually on the underside. Be sure to bin that litter so you don't propagate the pest.

Unfortunately, rhodos are evergreen and the leave's can't be stripped off to await replacement leaves so you'll have to live with the holes. But if you add some fertilizer specifically made for rhodos, which will also be more acidic than others, it will help strengthen the plant and make it less attractive to the pest. In this case definitely use fertilizer as any compost or manure would only provide secure nests for the pests.

[monsta]

what sort of spray kills wireworm ?

[DavidT]

Holes in Rhodo leaves are more likely to be caused by Vine Weevils. Can we have a pic or two of the damage? Monsta there`s not much you can do about wireworm, the only decent soil pesticide was banned abot 10 years ago.

[sunshineband]

If the holes are made by cranberry rootworms they will be crescent shaped, not round

[monsta]

heres a couple of pics!

[DavidT]

That`s not caused by an insect pest, Monsta, that is scorch damage. Nothing to worry about.

[monsta]

scorched by what? there shaded by a 4 foot fence from both wind and sun  :blink:

[DavidT]

Obviously not. That is definitely scorch damage.

[Ice]

It pains me to say it but I agree with DavidT.

[DavidT]

Don`t strain yourself Ice.

[Ice]

Don`t strain yourself Ice.

[DavidT]

Say Aaahhhhhh.