I'm having a hard time with my Nicotina. They've been blooming like crazy all summer so far...I had a terrible time keeping up with all the dead-heading even. Now 2 have completely disappeared...not just died but they're totally gone like they were never there and all the others are barely getting by. There are no blooms and they're down to about half their size. Something is eating on them too but I can't find any bugs actually on them. They have little round holes in all the leaves. I've dusted them a few times but that doesn't seem to help. They were so beautiful and now they are barely eeking by. Are they not midsummer heat tolerant? They're getting plenty of water. Help! Thanks guys!!
Nicotina help!
Have you checked for hornworms? Nicotiana is in the Solanaceae family, along with tomato plants and tobacco plants. It's common name is Flowering Tobacco. These worms hide very well, even when they are huge, and you have to look hard. What I usually find first is the black poop.
CJ
I'll look for the poop. I read that they come out towards evening because they don't like the sun so I'll look then too. The holes are pretty small though and since the nicotina leaves are small too, I'd think a worm that big would be eating a lot more. I'll keep a lookout though. Should they be lasting all summer...can they take the heat?
Remember those two plants that disappeared? Big hornworms do that. Little hornworms make little holes..... until they become bigger, then whole leaves..... until they become bigger, then whole plants.... Yes, Nicotiana can take the heat.