Some of the plants are leafing out in a new way ....now they feel spring ..some of the leaves are showing some damage though.. can someone tell me what might be going on..
Gordon
Gordon, is this happening to new leaves, old ones or both? That leave is completely skeletonized. Does this occur suddenly or is this the culmination of several stages of leaf loss? More information would help.
The picture speaks for itself. You photographed the culprit on the left standing up to admire his work. Did you hear a tiny burp?
Betty, did you see the worm on the stem?
Oh.. Betty....
I'd posted that picture .. just to show it... it actually wasn't mine .. but one of the years best
( worst) from National Geographic... if you look closely on the stem of the leaf.. you can see the reason... the little worm that caused the destruction.... seems to be dancing on the leaf..after it's meal.. Guess it's a reminder to use a systemic.. early in the year...
All the best there... HAPPY SPRING..
Gordon
OH.. a family picture.... for the ones still with snow..awaiting spring.. look closely and you'll see a young one there..with the two parents.. another NG favorite.. there were 20 photos in the group...each one more amazing than the last..
Got me! No, I was so focused on the leaf that I ignored the little bump on the side. Around here, those little inch worms will eat everything, veins and all. LOL
Got Me.
Now I know what to look for when I see my leaves looking like this.
Systemic I go.
MyRee, be carefull using any systemic, that includes fertilizer, on plants in small pots. I use Bayers 2 in 1 after I have watered throughly. Then I water the systemic in. I've managed to use the systemic in small pots without damage by putting in just a few granules spaced out on the surface of the soil so one spot doesn't get it all.
Thank You. I appreciate the caution.
I have not used a systemic on small pots yet. I plan on potting into at least 5 gallon pots for most of my plants.
I just counted my growing brugs, I have 75 in various stages. So far it is the aphids that I have been fighting.
Ditto on being careful with the systemics. I found out the hard way last summer. Toasted a ton of containers with coleus and other plants by using way too much. It was devastating and I'm not sure I'd try any of that stuff again.
Juanita
Gordon, Thanks for sharing those great photos.
It's amazing what those little cats can do in such a short amount of time. That was a great silhouette of the culprit.
The Apes are so cute great how they are protecting their "Child".
I really Messed up some of my Eppies late last Spring by spraying when the hot afternoon sun could burn the leaves. There was so much damage on one that I cut it back to the soil line. Another favorite couldn't be cut back and I am just having to deal with the scars and hope that disease doesn't creep into the damaged spots.
Happy Spring.
Betty
We can use a systemic on our Brugs? Really? Like what? And will it keep the bugs away? (sorry, not trying to hijack)
I've used Bayer's 2 - n - 1, but as I said before, the fertilizer in it is rather strong and can burn the roots if too much is used especially in smaller pots. I've forgotten how long it takes to work its way up to the leaves, but I think it's between 3 - 6 weeks. So it's best to use it before the real trouble begins.
Tonny.. I think the insect that did damage is the one sitting on the leaf stem in the picture.. talking about injesting brugs what is it with brugs that has insects there if they are anywhere in the garden.. I'll always have a few brugs..just to let me know when insects are present..
Betty... yes.. they are fast and can be almost invisable in among the leaves.. you'd think that critter would have put on more girth if he'd done that by him/her self..
Oh too bad about the eppis.. was it one of the ones you gave me.. it''s real big now..looking for flowers as soon as it goes outside .. I could give you back 1/2 of it ...my giant NBC has even bloomed some this winter.. it's such a dear..
yes.. the animals seem most human in dealing with their children.. well.. and also hunting for food.. OH..and mating.. maybe sleeping..and awakening..
AMANDA .. I use two systemics. onand off.... Bayer makes a granular one called ...two in one...or three in one..there's one for roses and flowers..and one for garden.. just sprinkle some in the pot or around the plant.. then water it in.. ORTHO makes a systemic also..it's put on as a spray.. I usually mix some in as part of my insecticide coctail I make..where I take a little of everything I have that kills..and spray it on.. iSystemics won't keep bugs away..but if they eat the plant it will kill or upset them.. Gordon
here's another parenting photo
Another great photo Gordon.
The Eppie that I cut off was the pink one, can't remember the name.
The one that I just left the damaged leaves on is the RicRac it is such a hard decision, the plant is so scarred but the flowering new growth is not damaged. I hate to prune it and have to give up the flowering seasons for a couple of years. It is covered with buds for this season. I don't remember which I gave to you. You are welcome to a cutting of the RicRac if it stays healthy.
This is the RicRac last Spring.
Betty
