I think they're quite partial to not only Zinnias but also Dahlias. var url = "/frogs/ajax/post_comment/"+pid+"/"; Make traps of hollow tubes or straw (I use old lupin stems) where they'll go to sleep and then collect them up and dispose as you see fit. Other plants in the garden have not been effected (yet). Anyone have any suggestions how to keep the horrible pests away from my plants! Have you planted Zinnias in the SAME area, I know you said you have planted them before BUT have you used that area. $("#show_answer_form").slideDown(); function _ShowAnswerButton(pid) { but blood meal and animal deterrent sprays were no help at all. function Frog_Reply(pid) { Typically, Slugs are lousy chewers-they don’t eat neatly. The first batch was planted in open air without a row cover. $("#replyform-"+pid).slideDown(); While garden seeds are commonly eaten by mice, most seedlings are damaged by voles, chipmunks, rabbits, or squirrels. Nanniemo Posts: 200. If your answer is yes, slugs are the pests eating your Zinnias. plant pauper Posts: 6,234. Zinnias affected by scales develop small, waxy areas on the leaves. Many types of rodents can create a series of tunnels, while larger animals like squirrels may leave more obvious … Minnehaha County South Dakota. Where you see damage, dig around the plant base with your finger. Log in or register to join the conversation. What a delightful surprise! $("#"+thisid).attr('style',''); My problem with using this as your everyday eating area is that it is carpeted. Cutworms seem to like zinnia seedlings. Did they tear it out with talons of steel. Zinnia F1 Hybrid Tall Liliput Zinnia Zinnia Yellow Flame. If so, how do I get rid of them? $.get('/frogs/ajax/print_comment.php', { pid: data} ).done(function(foo) { I'm not even bothering this year because something round here clearly loves them. Insects, gophers, moles, and voles may still be able to get into the row covers, … document.write(''); Skinny, Spindly Seedlings Need More Light or Need Pinching Zinnias need many hours of bright, direct sun to flourish. If you are growing seedlings indoors under lights, adjust the fluorescent lights to remain only 3 or 4 inches above the seedlings as they grow taller. Growing zinnia doesn’t cost you a bomb. } If you wish to start growing zinnia plants from seeds indoors, plant the seeds in peat pots, poo pots (pots made from cow dung) or other biodegradable containers that can be planted directly into the garden later. You could also try to transplant some that you are thinning out. Annuals. Hero … While looking at my zinnias the other day, I saw a bright yellow “something” wrapped around the flower. Tonight I went outside and saw signs that the earwigs were shredding some of my annuals. I live in Ottawa and we are not allowed to use insecticides. Then I realized it was a goldfinch eating zinnias! For years I have great success growing zinnias from seed. The predator slugs aren’t as big of a problem, but if your garden’s plagued by plant-eating slugs, you need to find. this is the first time I had left the containers outside all night. $("#"+thisid).slideDown(); I have photos if you would like to … They just didn't grow very much. Thank you in advance, I miss my zinnias! What Is Eating My Zinnia Seedlings? Tips & Tricks. Early in the summer there isn’t as much for them to eat, however, so they go after your zinnia seedlings, your butterfly bush foliage, or the emerging shoots of dahlias. New Member; Location: Cumbria; 49; Something is eating my seedlings « on: May 04, 2015, 20:41 » As the title says, tops of 24 beetroot seedlings gone over a couple of days now the edges of brassica seedlings starting to show nibbles. $("#"+thisid).html(foo); }, © 1972 - 2020 National Gardening Association, Times are presented in US Central Standard Time, Today's site banner is by TBGDN and is called "Christmas Cheer". Hi everyone, can anyone tell me what's been chomping away at my Zinnia seedlings and what action (if any) I should take. How to grow Zinnia Plants. What Animal is Eating My Seedlings? $(document).ready(function(){ The only bugs I've seen look a bit like extra thin and leggy grasshoppers. Could either of these be the culprit? data: $("#"+thisid).serialize(), I also fenced off my Peace rose plant and my herb garden because rabbits were destroying coneflower, dill, and chive plants. … $("#show_answer_button").hide(); Slugs and snails will make a meal of zinnias as well. You can try cardboard or paper towel rolls. I'm only able to give you ideas as to what I personally think has gone wrong BUT more info is required by answering some of my questions, what a pity this has happened as these look like nice plants. By Plant; Printable Garden Journal; Pinterest; YouTube ; In Indoor Gardening How to Stop Slugs from Eating Plants (8 Simple and Effective Methods) June 8, 2019 1 Comment 10 Mins Read. If they are at all shaded they are forced to stretch to reach the light, causing them to develop thin stems. Insecticidal Soap . I haven't actually seen any insects on them, but I've seen slugs and 'pillbugs' consistently over the last several years. 1 of 5. $("#show-reply-form-"+pid).hide(); This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google What Can I Do To Stop It? Unfortunately, unless you see signs of what could be eating them it can be very hard to tell what will be the culprit. $("form.frog_reply_form").submit(function(e) { Would appreciate any advice, thanks. Pick out slugs as soon as you notice them. Privacy Policy and var mySplit = thisid.split("-"); I've only seen one … Hi everyone, can anyone tell me what's been chomping away at my Zinnia seedlings and what action (if any) I should take. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); if ($(window).width() > 1024) { Another possibility would be cutworms, which, like slugs, are also nocturnal munchers. One night they were fine and the next morning they were gone, stem and all. What's eating my Zinnias. You can treat the infestation with insecticide, but be careful of chemicals that do more harm than good. All three di seases a re favo red by warm, wet or very humid weather, overhead sprinkling, excess shade, and crowding of plants. My zinnias are 4-5" out of the ground and they are being attacked by something that makes holes in the leaves and even cuts pieces from them. Tear a strip of newspaper about 2" wide and a foot long. By the time the paper degrades away, the stems will be larger and stronger, and not subject to cutworm attack. Something is eating holes in my Zinnia leaves! There are also nematode … My only problem with zinnia seedlings has been an occasional cutworm and, when I see a zinnia seedling that has been felled by a cutworm, I thoroughly explore the soil around the seedling with a small probe until I find the culprit. Slugs perhaps, but pillbugs don't eat live plant tissue. All or large sections of leaves are cut off and missing, leaving only a stem or petiole ; Plants are cut off with a clean-cut angle (45°), not ragged ; Animal foot prints or droppings may be seen near plant; Damage often happens suddenly, often overnight ; 2 of 5. You can also use the all-natural method that has proven effective for thousands of years. $("#replyform-"+pid).hide(); They chewed off smaller side stalks and lower flowers, as well as fuzzy lower leaves on the stalks. Almost half are gone! They get into my pots as well. Seeds of zinnia flowers should usually be sown directly into the sunny flower bed, as developing roots do not like to be disturbed. I've re-seeded both years, with same results. Anyone know what it doing this and how to get rid of them. I always dig down with my finger around the remaining stem to find the culprit and destroy it. Flint, MI. Question by DebraAnn678 May 25, 2001. From The Garden Forum: Help! They've been in one of the plastic greenhouses for a couple of weeks & also outside in the sunshine during the day. type: "POST", there was 1-2 leaves of zinnia on the dirt. Probably earwigs. Also, you will find the damage done to your leaves in the morning because slugs mainly feed when it is dark. Let the seed pods dry until they are brown and crunchy. They've been in one of the plastic greenhouses for a couple of weeks & also outside in the sunshine during the day. I have noticed holes in the leaves of near-by basil plants and in coleus as well. They doubled in size by August and no more brown leaf edges or dry, crumbly brown leaves at … But it was bright yellow! Sometimes it takes several minutes to find it. Every year when it warms up earwigs are out and munching on Zinnia and many other daisy like babies. I suggest you clear an area of all mulch and try again. function Frog_Cancel(pid) { The pests are actually under the waxy substance, where they feed on the plant juices. Would appreciate any advice, thanks. Something Is Eating My Zinnia Seedlings - Knowledgebase Question. $("#"+thisid).hide(); Other natural control methods include lady bug beetles and lacewings; you may try using a culture from a garden supply center. This is the first year they've attacked the zinnias. url: url, The first month or two, I watered once a week maybe. Something Is Eating My Zinnia Seedlings - Knowledgebase Question. By Plant; Outdoor. This is the first time that I have seen a goldfinch eating zinnias. Rabbit. there is a 4th one - that is undisturbed in the container. This beetle has a few natural predators, including a parasitic wasp that lays eggs on the larvae, with the wasp larvae eating the grub from the inside out (this is the same mechanism as the wasp that attacks horn worms and other caterpillars). To save the seeds at the end of the season, wait until the flowers finish blooming and then leave them there for the seed pods to develop. It's coming back now that it's fenced. }); $.ajax({ Perennials. e.preventDefault(); }); When it happens, the culprits are usually Japanese beetles, aphids or mites. However, in July, I began watering them deeply at least twice a week and what a difference it made! document.write(''); Morning I see 3 seedlings are not there! Use these convenient icons to share this page on various social media platforms: You must be signed in before you can post questions or answers. } Oh well then I had both last year. success: function(data) { Thanks plant pauper & Dave Morgan, I've inspected greenhouse but can't see anything so think I'll move them back into the potting shed for now & keep my fingers crossed I'll have something left to put in the garden! Out came the bag of diatomaceous earth, my favorite way to stop the … } But for the past two years, I plant the seeds in beds, and as soon as they come up with their first two leaves, something eats the leaves entirely, leaving only the tiny stem, so of course they can't grow. var thisid = $(this).attr('id'); Last year was my first year growing zinnias. Fungal diseases, such as the one caused by the alternaria fungus, cause large, reddish brown or purple, round to oblong spots on the leaves of zinnias. Try a "collar" around the plant stems to act as a barrier. For years I have great success growing zinnias from seed. This will prevent cutworms from cutting off your tender plants. 74 shares. Flint, MI. Growing zinnia plants can be inexpensive, particularly when growing them from seed. Just take an empty paper towel or toilet paper roll and cut the cardboard into 3-inch long sections. Yesterday I left my nearly 3 week zinnia seedlings(in a container) outside (in the balcony) all night. Cutworms are often found in the top inch or two of soil, curled in a 'C' shape. Posts. It almost looked like a slug the way it was wrapped around the flower. I have sprayed the plants with Sevin but the holes continue to happen. For years I have great success growing zinnias from seed. Terms of Service apply. Pin Zinnias are rarely attacked by insects. Annuals. Some people use a little protective collar on their seedlings, but that isn't always effective, and it is a rather tedious thing to do. } They are one of the insects that break down organic matter and return it to the soil. By Plant; Indoor. Wrap it around the stem of the plant placing the bottom end just below the soil surface. } May 2016 in Problem solving. }); « Return to the Garden Knowledgebase Homepage. It looks like fine lace. Question by DebraAnn678 May 25, 2001 . Search for: Gardeners Yards is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com To determine the small animals eating seedlings in your own garden, it will be important to observe the area carefully. I planted many baby Zinnia's in my flower beds just recently. Zinnia > Leaves > Holes in leaves or leaves chewed off. What’s Eating My Sunflower Leaves? Brown leaf edges appeared and I assumed it was an insect or disease. Something is eating my seedlings 7 Replies; 3119 Views; davetoddy. }); Once the Zinnia seedlings are about 3 inches tall, it would help their growth to thin them to 6 inches apart. I planted zinnia seeds under a row cover after the first batch of about 100 new seedlings just disappeared overnight in the same bed.