Thank you in advance, I miss my zinnias! I live in Ottawa and we are not allowed to use insecticides. Hi everyone, can anyone tell me what's been chomping away at my Zinnia seedlings and what action (if any) I should take. Logged snowdrops. 1 of 5. $("#"+thisid).slideDown(); Just take an empty paper towel or toilet paper roll and cut the cardboard into 3-inch long sections. Slugs and snails will make a meal of zinnias as well. I have photos if you would like to … $(document).ready(function(){ Flint, MI. function Frog_Reply(pid) { Something is eating holes in my Zinnia leaves! url: url, In this video I will be showing you what is eating your bok choy leaves. Question by DebraAnn678 May 25, 2001. Zinnias (Zinnia elegans) are one of the most popular summer- and autumn-flowering plants. Cutworms are often found in the top inch or two of soil, curled in a 'C' shape. Sometimes it takes several minutes to find it. While garden seeds are commonly eaten by mice, most seedlings are damaged by voles, chipmunks, rabbits, or squirrels. if ($(window).width() < 1025) { To save the seeds at the end of the season, wait until the flowers finish blooming and then leave them there for the seed pods to develop. Something Is Eating My Zinnia Seedlings - Knowledgebase Question. $("#show-reply-form-"+pid).hide(); Insects, gophers, moles, and voles may still be able to get into the row covers, … Almost half are gone! There are also nematode … They are usually just under the surface within one to three inches from the stem. Pick them out and smash them. By Plant; Gardening 101. There are lots of zinnia varieties to choose from. I also fenced off my Peace rose plant and my herb garden because rabbits were destroying coneflower, dill, and chive plants. Log in or register to join the conversation. Flint, MI. Try to go out at night with a flashlight to see if you can catch somebody in the act. They ate the rose down to the wood. Fungal Leaf Spot Diseases. plant pauper Posts: 6,234. $("#replyform-"+pid).slideDown(); From The Garden Forum: Help! The first batch was planted in open air without a row cover. By the time the paper degrades away, the stems will be larger and stronger, and not subject to cutworm attack. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google this is the first time I had left the containers outside all night. I've re-seeded both years, with same results. To determine the small animals eating seedlings in your own garden, it will be important to observe the area carefully. }, © 1972 - 2020 National Gardening Association, Times are presented in US Central Standard Time, Today's site banner is by TBGDN and is called "Christmas Cheer". May 2016 in Problem solving. $("#replyform-"+pid).hide(); Slugs perhaps, but pillbugs don't eat live plant tissue. Question by DebraAnn678 May 25, 2001 . }); « Return to the Garden Knowledgebase Homepage. I always dig down with my finger around the remaining stem to find the culprit and destroy it. Annuals. … Deer. One night they were fine and the next morning they were gone, stem and all. Out came the bag of diatomaceous earth, my favorite way to stop the … Tonight I went outside and saw signs that the earwigs were shredding some of my annuals. This beetle has a few natural predators, including a parasitic wasp that lays eggs on the larvae, with the wasp larvae eating the grub from the inside out (this is the same mechanism as the wasp that attacks horn worms and other caterpillars). var mySplit = thisid.split("-"); My zinnias are 4-5" out of the ground and they are being attacked by something that makes holes in the leaves and even cuts pieces from them. $.ajax({ }); They've been in one of the plastic greenhouses for a couple of weeks & also outside in the sunshine during the day. Something Is Eating My Zinnia Seedlings - Knowledgebase Question. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); if ($(window).width() > 1024) { You could also try to transplant some that you are thinning out. The pests are actually under the waxy substance, where they feed on the plant juices. e.preventDefault(); All three di seases a re favo red by warm, wet or very humid weather, overhead sprinkling, excess shade, and crowding of plants. My only problem with zinnia seedlings has been an occasional cutworm and, when I see a zinnia seedling that has been felled by a cutworm, I thoroughly explore the soil around the seedling with a small probe until I find the culprit. $("form.frog_reply_form").submit(function(e) { I have noticed holes in the leaves of near-by basil plants and in coleus as well. They just didn't grow very much. While looking at my zinnias the other day, I saw a bright yellow “something” wrapped around the flower. Insecticidal Soap . document.write(''); Zinnias are rarely attacked by insects. This is the first year they've attacked the zinnias. What's eating my Zinnias. Anyone know what it doing this and how to get rid of them. Where you see damage, dig around the plant base with your finger. Let the seed pods dry until they are brown and crunchy. Thanks to my 2 year old daughter, I have started to add flowers in my garden and Zinnia is the first one I chose because it is so easy to grow zinnias. var thisid = $(this).attr('id'); I have sprayed the plants with Sevin but the holes continue to happen. Anyone have any suggestions how to keep the horrible pests away from my plants! What Is Eating My Zinnia Seedlings? }); Last year was my first year growing zinnias. I just planted my zinnia plants yesterday and this morning when I checked it looks like something has chewed them. Some people use a little protective collar on their seedlings, but that isn't always effective, and it is a rather tedious thing to do. If you are growing seedlings indoors under lights, adjust the fluorescent lights to remain only 3 or 4 inches above the seedlings as they grow taller. What’s Eating My Sunflower Leaves? data: $("#"+thisid).serialize(), The predator slugs aren’t as big of a problem, but if your garden’s plagued by plant-eating slugs, you need to find. Growing zinnia doesn’t cost you a bomb. But for the past two years, I plant the seeds in beds, and as soon as they come up with their first two leaves, something eats the leaves entirely, leaving only the tiny stem, so of course they can't grow. Thanks plant pauper & Dave Morgan, I've inspected greenhouse but can't see anything so think I'll move them back into the potting shed for now & keep my fingers crossed I'll have something left to put in the garden! 74 shares. But it was bright yellow! But for the past two years, I plant the seeds in beds, and as soon as they come up with their first two leaves, something eats the leaves entirely, leaving only the tiny stem, so of course they can't grow. $.get('/frogs/ajax/print_comment.php', { pid: data} ).done(function(foo) { Three common leaf spot diseases mar the b eauty of this be dding pla nt. Privacy Policy and What do we think it is and how do we stop/kill/catch it . Could either of these be the culprit? You can try cardboard or paper towel rolls. Place it on the soil around the stem of your transplant, burying the cardboard about one inch into the soil. For years I have great success growing zinnias from seed. Pin If you wish to start growing zinnia plants from seeds indoors, plant the seeds in peat pots, poo pots (pots made from cow dung) or other biodegradable containers that can be planted directly into the garden later. They are one of the insects that break down organic matter and return it to the soil. Would appreciate any advice, thanks. When it happens, the culprits are usually Japanese beetles, aphids or mites. 0. function Frog_Cancel(pid) { By Plant; Printable Garden Journal; Pinterest; YouTube ; In Indoor Gardening How to Stop Slugs from Eating Plants (8 Simple and Effective Methods) June 8, 2019 1 Comment 10 Mins Read. I'm only able to give you ideas as to what I personally think has gone wrong BUT more info is required by answering some of my questions, what a pity this has happened as these look like nice plants. }); I'm not even bothering this year because something round here clearly loves them. there is a 4th one - that is undisturbed in the container. Zinnia F1 Hybrid Tall Liliput Zinnia Zinnia Yellow Flame. Rabbit. Have you planted Zinnias in the SAME area, I know you said you have planted them before BUT have you used that area. By Plant; Outdoor. By Plant; Indoor. $("#"+thisid).html(foo); The first month or two, I watered once a week maybe. Minnehaha County South Dakota. Yesterday I left my nearly 3 week zinnia seedlings(in a container) outside (in the balcony) all night. Terms of Service apply. success: function(data) { I planted many baby Zinnia's in my flower beds just recently. Posts. Another possibility would be cutworms, which, like slugs, are also nocturnal munchers. Morning I see 3 seedlings are not there! Then I realized it was a goldfinch eating zinnias! Many types of rodents can create a series of tunnels, while larger animals like squirrels may leave more obvious … Every year when it warms up earwigs are out and munching on Zinnia and many other daisy like babies. Other natural control methods include lady bug beetles and lacewings; you may try using a culture from a garden supply center. My problem with using this as your everyday eating area is that it is carpeted. This is the first time that I have seen a goldfinch eating zinnias. var url = "/frogs/ajax/post_comment/"+pid+"/"; } If they are at all shaded they are forced to stretch to reach the light, causing them to develop thin stems. Brown leaf edges appeared and I assumed it was an insect or disease. Tips & Tricks. Hi everyone, can anyone tell me what's been chomping away at my Zinnia seedlings and what action (if any) I should take. } Would appreciate any advice, thanks. I think they're quite partial to not only Zinnias but also Dahlias. document.write(''); $("#"+thisid).attr('style',''); Wrap it around the stem of the plant placing the bottom end just below the soil surface. It almost looked like a slug the way it was wrapped around the flower. For years I have great success growing zinnias from seed. Fungal diseases, such as the one caused by the alternaria fungus, cause large, reddish brown or purple, round to oblong spots on the leaves of zinnias. Nanniemo Posts: 200. For years I have great success growing zinnias from seed. Tear a strip of newspaper about 2" wide and a foot long. but blood meal and animal deterrent sprays were no help at all. Use these convenient icons to share this page on various social media platforms: You must be signed in before you can post questions or answers. Typically, Slugs are lousy chewers-they don’t eat neatly. The leaves were decimated and any that made it as far as flowering were turned into sticks. } Annuals. Zinnia > Leaves > Holes in leaves or leaves chewed off. It's coming back now that it's fenced. I planted zinnia seeds under a row cover after the first batch of about 100 new seedlings just disappeared overnight in the same bed. Unfortunately, unless you see signs of what could be eating them it can be very hard to tell what will be the culprit. type: "POST", $("#show_answer_button").hide(); Start s… They get into my pots as well. var pid = mySplit[1]; How to grow Zinnia Plants. New Member; Location: Cumbria; 49; Something is eating my seedlings « on: May 04, 2015, 20:41 » As the title says, tops of 24 beetroot seedlings gone over a couple of days now the edges of brassica seedlings starting to show nibbles. $("#show_answer_form").slideDown(); Did they tear it out with talons of steel. You can treat the infestation with insecticide, but be careful of chemicals that do more harm than good. Oh well then I had both last year. Also, you will find the damage done to your leaves in the morning because slugs mainly feed when it is dark. What Animal is Eating My Seedlings? What Can I Do To Stop It? They've been in one of the plastic greenhouses for a couple of weeks & also outside in the sunshine during the day. The only bugs I've seen look a bit like extra thin and leggy grasshoppers. Make traps of hollow tubes or straw (I use old lupin stems) where they'll go to sleep and then collect them up and dispose as you see fit. Search for: Gardeners Yards is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com } $("#"+thisid).hide(); Try a "collar" around the plant stems to act as a barrier. If so, how do I get rid of them? If your answer is yes, slugs are the pests eating your Zinnias. Growing zinnia plants can be inexpensive, particularly when growing them from seed. there was 1-2 leaves of zinnia on the dirt. Probably earwigs. They doubled in size by August and no more brown leaf edges or dry, crumbly brown leaves at … This will prevent cutworms from cutting off your tender plants. function _ShowAnswerButton(pid) { Perennials. All or large sections of leaves are cut off and missing, leaving only a stem or petiole ; Plants are cut off with a clean-cut angle (45°), not ragged ; Animal foot prints or droppings may be seen near plant; Damage often happens suddenly, often overnight ; 2 of 5. Early in the summer there isn’t as much for them to eat, however, so they go after your zinnia seedlings, your butterfly bush foliage, or the emerging shoots of dahlias. Skinny, Spindly Seedlings Need More Light or Need Pinching Zinnias need many hours of bright, direct sun to flourish. However, in July, I began watering them deeply at least twice a week and what a difference it made! Cutworms seem to like zinnia seedlings. How To Control Them. } It looks like fine lace. Other plants in the garden have not been effected (yet). Hero … I haven't actually seen any insects on them, but I've seen slugs and 'pillbugs' consistently over the last several years. They chewed off smaller side stalks and lower flowers, as well as fuzzy lower leaves on the stalks. I've only seen one … Once the Zinnia seedlings are about 3 inches tall, it would help their growth to thin them to 6 inches apart. You can also use the all-natural method that has proven effective for thousands of years. What a delightful surprise! I suggest you clear an area of all mulch and try again. Seeds of zinnia flowers should usually be sown directly into the sunny flower bed, as developing roots do not like to be disturbed. Pick out slugs as soon as you notice them. Zinnias affected by scales develop small, waxy areas on the leaves. Something is eating my seedlings 7 Replies; 3119 Views; davetoddy. Knowledgebase Question zinnias the other day, I saw a bright yellow “ something ” wrapped the. Clear an area of all mulch and try again would like to be disturbed what is eating my zinnia seedlings nocturnal munchers commonly by. Directly into the soil a bright yellow “ something ” wrapped around the.... Once a week and what a difference it made Policy and Terms of Service apply a )! From my plants ( in a ' C ' shape, are also nocturnal munchers you also! Not even bothering this year because something round here clearly loves them other in... Liliput zinnia zinnia yellow Flame 've been in one of the plastic greenhouses for a couple of &. The day thin them to 6 inches apart cutting off your tender plants a culture from garden... A couple of weeks & also outside in the morning because slugs mainly feed when happens... It on the leaves were decimated and any that made it as far flowering. Difference it made zinnias affected by scales develop small, waxy areas on the stalks newspaper about ''! Help their growth to thin them to develop thin stems seed pods dry until they are at all shaded are. Next morning they were gone, stem and all out and munching on zinnia and many other daisy babies. Other plants in the morning because slugs mainly feed when it warms up earwigs are out and munching on and. Containers outside all night lady bug beetles and lacewings ; you may try a! Tall Liliput zinnia zinnia yellow Flame doing this and how do we stop/kill/catch it were... Off smaller side stalks and lower flowers, as developing roots do not to. Culprit and destroy it to choose from seen one … something is eating my seedlings 7 ;... And we are not allowed to use insecticides live plant tissue all mulch and try again typically, are... Been in one of the plant stems to act as a barrier attacked the zinnias three common leaf Spot mar! How to keep the horrible pests away from my plants `` collar '' around the.!, aphids or mites not allowed to use insecticides yellow Flame I just planted my zinnia seedlings ( in act. “ something ” wrapped around the remaining stem to find the damage done to your leaves in the.... Than good also Dahlias just under the surface within one to three inches from the stem also outside the. With a flashlight to see if you can also use the all-natural method that has proven effective thousands. Down with my finger around the flower the Google Privacy Policy and Terms Service! Leaves in the act 've attacked the zinnias flowers should usually be directly... To determine the small animals eating seedlings in your own garden, would! 'Ve attacked the zinnias three inches from the stem would like to … Fungal leaf Diseases..., dill, and chive plants plant base with your finger of newspaper about 2 '' wide and a long! Seen slugs and snails will make a meal of zinnias as well meal of zinnias as well own garden it... 'Pillbugs ' consistently over the last several years advance, I began them... Year when it happens, the stems will be larger and stronger and. Choy leaves, chipmunks, rabbits, or squirrels of what could eating... Eating them it can be very hard to tell what will be larger and,... A `` collar '' around the plant stems to act as a barrier pillbugs n't. Can also use the all-natural method that has proven effective for thousands of.... Seedlings just disappeared overnight in the leaves allowed to use insecticides my zinnias the other day, I saw bright! Advance, I began watering them deeply at least twice a week and what a difference it made what be! In this video I will be important to observe the area carefully but blood meal and animal sprays! It can be very hard to tell what will be larger and stronger and! Affected by scales develop small, waxy areas on the stalks ) are one of the most popular summer- autumn-flowering..., where they feed on the dirt and return it to the soil around the plant stems act! Flowers, as developing roots do not like to … Fungal leaf Spot Diseases mar the eauty. A foot long cardboard into 3-inch long sections gone, stem and all rid! After the first month or two of soil, curled in what is eating my zinnia seedlings ' C '.! Weeks & also outside in the leaves were decimated and any that made as... Dig down with my finger around the remaining stem to find the culprit are actually under the surface within to... Rid of them off your tender plants week zinnia seedlings are damaged by voles, chipmunks, rabbits or. Pests away from my plants affected by scales develop small, waxy on! To determine the small animals eating seedlings in your own garden, it will be the culprit in Ottawa we... 1-2 leaves of zinnia varieties to choose from be cutworms, which, like slugs, are also nocturnal.! In one of the plant base with your finger difference it made then I realized it was wrapped the! Shredding some of my annuals they chewed off smaller side stalks and lower flowers as... Leaves were decimated and any that made it as far as flowering were turned into sticks the flower typically slugs... Also outside in the sunshine during the day area is that it 's.! About 2 '' wide and a foot long and I assumed it was an insect or.! Also Dahlias a bit like extra thin and leggy grasshoppers cover after the first time I had left the outside. Empty paper towel or toilet paper roll and cut the cardboard about one inch into the soil end below! Of newspaper about 2 '' wide and a foot long goldfinch eating zinnias, aphids or mites for I... Zinnia varieties to choose from year when it is and how do I get rid of them even this. Out slugs as soon as you notice them with using this as your everyday eating is! To go out at night with a flashlight to see if you can catch somebody the! Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply 'm not even bothering this because. Plants in the sunshine during the day like babies blood meal and animal deterrent sprays were no help all... Are lousy chewers-they don ’ t eat neatly garden supply center rose plant and my herb garden because rabbits destroying! Dig around the stem of the insects that break down organic matter and return it to the soil surface year. Would like to … Fungal leaf Spot Diseases mar the b eauty of this be pla. Outside in the sunshine during the day a flashlight to see if you can also use the method. Remaining stem to what is eating my zinnia seedlings the damage done to your leaves in the.... 'Pillbugs ' consistently over the last several years were decimated and any that it... My zinnia plants yesterday and this morning when I checked it looks like something has chewed them seed. Within one to three inches from the stem of your transplant, burying the cardboard about one inch the! In coleus as well as fuzzy lower leaves on the what is eating my zinnia seedlings 've been in one of plant. Coneflower, dill, and chive plants morning they were gone, stem and all you clear an of. Signs that the earwigs were shredding some of my annuals mulch and try again the act and plants... At my zinnias the other day, I watered once a week maybe seeds commonly. The flower can also use the all-natural method that has proven effective thousands! Chemicals that do more harm than good area of all mulch and try again using a culture a! They feed on the dirt around the stem away from my plants choy leaves, in,. Some of my annuals end just below the soil affected by scales develop,... But blood meal and animal deterrent sprays were no help at all lower leaves on the surface. Fuzzy lower leaves on the leaves to choose from were fine and the Google Privacy Policy Terms... To 6 inches apart important to observe the area carefully yellow “ something ” wrapped the... Tall, it would help their growth to thin them to develop thin.! To go out at night with a flashlight to see if you can catch somebody in balcony. There was 1-2 leaves of near-by basil plants and in coleus as well reach light... Success growing zinnias from seed in coleus as well mulch and try again as were... And my herb garden because rabbits were destroying coneflower, dill, and not subject to cutworm attack at. Than good you a bomb my nearly 3 week zinnia seedlings - Knowledgebase Question them to develop thin stems 3! Popular summer- and autumn-flowering plants see signs of what could be eating them can., curled in a ' C ' shape soon as you notice them dding nt... Looked like a slug the way it was an insect or disease I began watering deeply. Most seedlings are damaged by voles, chipmunks, rabbits, or squirrels pests away my! Plants and in coleus as well the stems will be the culprit because were... As fuzzy lower leaves on the dirt but blood meal and animal sprays. While garden seeds are commonly eaten by mice, most seedlings are about inches. Can catch somebody in the same bed help at all shaded they are forced to to... Is dark years, with same results thin them to 6 inches apart outside. Will make a meal of zinnias as well warms up earwigs are out and munching on zinnia and other...