Lobelia cardinalis a feast for something

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
bade Nashville, TN Sep 22, 2009

Bought several pots of a beautiful plant labeled Lobelia cardinalis. Looks the same as the native species except it has gorgeous maroon foliage - I should say "had" gorgeous foliage. I was trying to identify it before I planted it and something is munching on it when I am not looking. I mean *really* munching. One pot has no foliage left and even the tops of the stalks have been munched down to the point where I don't know if they will survive. Can see the munch marks and if I didn't know better I would say it was an animal but the plants are too tall and spindly for that. Does anyone know what finds this plant utterly irresistible? Must be nocturnal. . . .

Post #7093557
Quote
trinawitch Canton,IL &Dent Coun, MO(Zone 5b) Sep 23, 2009

a pic of the damaged leaves might help...do you have deer in your area?

Post #7093599
Quote
ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Sep 23, 2009

Maybe snails--they are nocturnal and can do a pretty good job of stripping the leaves off of something. But if the stalks were decent size and have been munched too then I'd suspect a 4 legged critter.

Post #7094024
Quote
digger9083 Dahlonega, GA Sep 23, 2009

Grasshoppers were bad here this year . Hard to catch them in the act . when they see you coming they leave ,and are small , so not so noticeable.

Post #7094100
Quote
Jim41 Delhi, LA Sep 23, 2009

Sounds more like a deer or a rabbit.

Post #7094456
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP