Something is chewing on my Barbara Karst, preferring the new growth, of course. I looked all over the net and found nothing about chewing/sucking insects.
The plant is very healthy, full sun, etc. I'm experienced with these things but this has me stumped.
Anyone else in zone 10b had a problem? I treated with Safer Soap, but no luck. I don't use chemicals- but if someone has a chemical to recommend it would help me diagnose the issue. And I might use it.
Michael
something is eating my Bougs
The problem with things like Safer Soap (and many more toxic sprays as well) is that they really need to come in contact with the actual insect in order to work, so if they bugs aren't on the plants when you spray then it doesn't really do much good. Can you post a picture of the damage? That might help narrow it down. I wouldn't start spraying chemicals until you know what it is that's causing the damage, different things are effective against different sorts of bugs.
This is what a leaf looks like when I uncurl it; there is a fine web inside, not big.
As to Safer, yes, I know that contact is needed. But I really pride myself in being organic and all my made soils are organic, too. And I've had really good luck over the years with pests by using a combination of higher tolerance, hand picking, and very gentle soaps.
Here's another view [I didn't realize that I could attach only one photo].
We are also in Naples & have been having the same problem for the last 4 months. It is finally under control. How about yours? Someone shared this article with me. It was right on.
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/IP-2.pdf
That article was right-on: thanks.
I basically just ignored it. My attitude towards bugs is basically to let them run the course, and the garden has so many other materials I usually don't get too excited about it. And I do not like using chemicals, period.
But using BT is fine and I think that next time I see them I will give it a try. Thanks again!
And by the way: are you doing any vegetable gardening? I am wondering what will grow in the summer time.
Michael
Michael- I wanted to do tomatoes inside my pool cage. Right now I have a plastic window box that I planted "short & sweet" carrots in. I don't know if that is considered vegetable gardening, but I am getting a kick out of it! How about you? What a blessing this rain is!
The rain last night and over the past week or so has been terrific. Last year we were so dry this time. I'd be happy to turn off my irrigation and save the money on the rust-injectors.
I thought about growing plants under a bit of shade. I was just hoping I wouldn't have to experiment over the next few years and that someone else had already figured it out…
I was looking at the shade cloth at Lowes. I was thinking about setting a corner up in my pool cage & do tomatoes, swiss chard & peas. Not that I have time to do this...