Is this just caterpillar damage? I took off several leaves to find this huge cavity that had cats & eggs all around it.. the new growth is okay, but will the trunk be strong enough to hold the weight it will have after having a hole like this? OR is there some critter in there and I need to chop the top off? I've had 3 others completely rotted and distorted and this is the first time I've seen it before the entire top is too far gone to save. Any advice is appreciated.
It looks like some kind of bordering insect?? Are all the leaves curled around and webbed together where you found the worms? I had this last year on a few of my brugs but I caught it really early when I was snooping for Y's. I just clipped down until I was back to normal healthy growth. I didn't want to take the chance there were more eggs inside. I used a good systemic on mine this year so hopefully I wont be seeing them again. I hope you are able to save the plant! Were the other 3 just damaged or completely gone?
Caren
Shoot Joyce, I can't see the hole in the stem. Just small holes in the leaves. Have you tried using Bt. it is great to rid yourself of cats and it won't hurt you!
Thank you Caren, yes, that is exactly what it did.. the leaves were all folded up above the hole so you wouldn't see if if you didn't really dig. I was searching for Y's. I think I am gonna chop it off below the hole. The other 2 are still alive but so deformed, they are not growing right at all.. I think I will dig them up and replace them with something else that needs the room. One of them I hate to loose, it was the only survivor of a good cross...
Hi Kell! Yes, I've been using BT. Not enough I guess... I heard it had to be fresh or it didn't work.... I'm thinking I need a new bottle.
BT = ?
http://www.yardener.com/BacillusThuriengensis(Bt)Products.html
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
Hope this helps!
Shoot the link won't work so I copied the info:
What is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)?
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Bacillus thuringiensis, usually referred to as "Bt" (pronounced “bee-tee”), is a naturally occurring bacterium that is lethal to most leaf-eating caterpillars on trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables.
Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki (B.t.k.) is the general purpose material that homeowners buy when they see just the words Bt or Bacillus thuringiensis without the variety name attached. This is the type of Bt that is appropriate for home landscape use to kill caterpillars. As you can see on the left, there are also varieties designed to kill mosquitoes or potato beetles.
Bt is harmless to all other insects, animals, and humans. It comes in powder form for use as a dust or, diluted with water, for use as a foliar spray. It is also available in liquid form. It is sprayed or dusted on leaves of plants that are under attack by caterpillars so that the pests will ingest the bacteria as they eat the leaves. The Bt causes paralysis of the caterpillar's digestive tract, causing it to stop feeding within two hours. Within a day or two, certainly no longer than 72 hours, the caterpillars die.
This message was edited Jun 19, 2007 8:15 PM
Oh, thank you, Kell.
The BT has worked... it is just slow, and when I see all the holes in my brug leaves, I want instant gratification.. I just get too short on patience. I have a seedling that is too tall for me to reach to inspect.. so I just sprayed it with BT a few days ago with all the others. This morning I climbed up on a step ladder to check it out since the holes are so big.. There I find this huge caterpillar that is completely deflated... dead... I hope I am forgiven for the joy I felt in seeing it. LOL
So thank you again Kell... You told me about BT last year and saved me a LOT of grief.. Now if you can just give me something that will help me aquire some patience... life would be grand.. LOL
I think this picture shows the hole in the trunk a little better. I am still trying to figure out how to take a close up with this camera. It will zoom in, but I have to move away which is hard for me to get used to.
If you have the little tulip or flower icon as a choice for your camera shots, that one will take closeups. I would fill that hole with glue and hope for the best. LOL!
