You could also try to transplant some that you are thinning out. Flint, MI. }, © 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". They are usually just under the surface within one to three inches from the stem. 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. there is a 4th one - that is undisturbed in the container. I planted zinnia seeds under a row cover after the first batch of about 100 new seedlings just disappeared overnight in the same bed. You can try cardboard or paper towel rolls. 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. Would appreciate any advice, thanks. If so, how do I get rid of them? 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. You can treat the infestation with insecticide, but be careful of chemicals that do more harm than good. 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. Out came the bag of diatomaceous earth, my favorite way to stop the … Something Is Eating My Zinnia Seedlings - Knowledgebase Question. Cutworms seem to like zinnia seedlings. However, in July, I began watering them deeply at least twice a week and what a difference it made! Annuals. This is the first time that I have seen a goldfinch eating zinnias. 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. Zinnia > Leaves > Holes in leaves or leaves chewed off. 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. This will prevent cutworms from cutting off your tender plants. function _ShowAnswerButton(pid) { I've re-seeded both years, with same results. document.write(''); Every year when it warms up earwigs are out and munching on Zinnia and many other daisy like babies. The pests are actually under the waxy substance, where they feed on the plant juices. What's eating my Zinnias. Seeds of zinnia flowers should usually be sown directly into the sunny flower bed, as developing roots do not like to be disturbed. For years I have great success growing zinnias from seed. Privacy Policy and Pick out slugs as soon as you notice them. Tonight I went outside and saw signs that the earwigs were shredding some of my annuals. Cutworms are often found in the top inch or two of soil, curled in a 'C' shape. Sometimes it takes several minutes to find it. I also fenced off my Peace rose plant and my herb garden because rabbits were destroying coneflower, dill, and chive plants. The predator slugs aren’t as big of a problem, but if your garden’s plagued by plant-eating slugs, you need to find. Anyone know what it doing this and how to get rid of them. Also, you will find the damage done to your leaves in the morning because slugs mainly feed when it is dark. Tear a strip of newspaper about 2" wide and a foot long. My problem with using this as your everyday eating area is that it is carpeted. Perennials. Would appreciate any advice, thanks. What a delightful surprise! From The Garden Forum: Help! Probably earwigs. All three di seases a re favo red by warm, wet or very humid weather, overhead sprinkling, excess shade, and crowding of plants. }); « Return to the Garden Knowledgebase Homepage. For years I have great success growing zinnias from seed. Rabbit. It looks like fine lace. There are lots of zinnia varieties to choose from. 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. there was 1-2 leaves of zinnia on the dirt. Growing zinnia plants can be inexpensive, particularly when growing them from seed. Logged snowdrops. You can also use the all-natural method that has proven effective for thousands of years. function Frog_Cancel(pid) { Could either of these be the culprit? function Frog_Reply(pid) { Have you planted Zinnias in the SAME area, I know you said you have planted them before BUT have you used that area. They ate the rose down to the wood. Minnehaha County South Dakota. 1 of 5. Tips & Tricks. They get into my pots as well. Skinny, Spindly Seedlings Need More Light or Need Pinching Zinnias need many hours of bright, direct sun to flourish. I've only seen one … Flint, MI. Did they tear it out with talons of steel. $.get('/frogs/ajax/print_comment.php', { pid: data} ).done(function(foo) { Zinnia F1 Hybrid Tall Liliput Zinnia Zinnia Yellow Flame. Zinnias are rarely attacked by insects. Insects, gophers, moles, and voles may still be able to get into the row covers, … … Place it on the soil around the stem of your transplant, burying the cardboard about one inch into the soil. Terms of Service apply. I just planted my zinnia plants yesterday and this morning when I checked it looks like something has chewed them. The only bugs I've seen look a bit like extra thin and leggy grasshoppers. If they are at all shaded they are forced to stretch to reach the light, causing them to develop thin stems. Oh well then I had both last year. 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. Hero … var mySplit = thisid.split("-"); I planted many baby Zinnia's in my flower beds just recently. var thisid = $(this).attr('id'); Morning I see 3 seedlings are not there! Zinnias (Zinnia elegans) are one of the most popular summer- and autumn-flowering plants. Just take an empty paper towel or toilet paper roll and cut the cardboard into 3-inch long sections. 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. I haven't actually seen any insects on them, but I've seen slugs and 'pillbugs' consistently over the last several years. What Is Eating My Zinnia Seedlings? } Slugs perhaps, but pillbugs don't eat live plant tissue. Log in or register to join the conversation. It almost looked like a slug the way it was wrapped around the flower. To determine the small animals eating seedlings in your own garden, it will be important to observe the area carefully. Posts. } $("#"+thisid).slideDown(); I live in Ottawa and we are not allowed to use insecticides. $(document).ready(function(){ Pin What Animal is Eating My Seedlings? 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. Question by DebraAnn678 May 25, 2001 . 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). It's coming back now that it's fenced. How to grow Zinnia Plants. Slugs and snails will make a meal of zinnias as well. What’s Eating My Sunflower Leaves? Three common leaf spot diseases mar the b eauty of this be dding pla nt. $("#replyform-"+pid).slideDown(); Try a "collar" around the plant stems to act as a barrier. I have sprayed the plants with Sevin but the holes continue to happen. 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; Indoor. 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. Last year was my first year growing zinnias. I have noticed holes in the leaves of near-by basil plants and in coleus as well. Unfortunately, unless you see signs of what could be eating them it can be very hard to tell what will be the culprit. var pid = mySplit[1]; Thank you in advance, I miss my zinnias! $("#show_answer_button").hide(); While garden seeds are commonly eaten by mice, most seedlings are damaged by voles, chipmunks, rabbits, or squirrels. Typically, Slugs are lousy chewers-they don’t eat neatly. but blood meal and animal deterrent sprays were no help at all. Nanniemo Posts: 200. Deer. Insecticidal Soap . Growing zinnia doesn’t cost you a bomb. 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. 0. Hi everyone, can anyone tell me what's been chomping away at my Zinnia seedlings and what action (if any) I should take. For years I have great success growing zinnias from seed. Annuals. They just didn't grow very much. }); } e.preventDefault(); plant pauper Posts: 6,234. They've been in one of the plastic greenhouses for a couple of weeks & also outside in the sunshine during the day. Many types of rodents can create a series of tunnels, while larger animals like squirrels may leave more obvious … Try to go out at night with a flashlight to see if you can catch somebody in the act. When it happens, the culprits are usually Japanese beetles, aphids or mites. data: $("#"+thisid).serialize(), By Plant; Outdoor. url: url, The first month or two, I watered once a week maybe. I have photos if you would like to … Thanks to my 2 year old daughter, I have started to add flowers in my garden and Zinnia is the first one I chose because it is so easy to grow zinnias. 74 shares. 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. Let the seed pods dry until they are brown and crunchy. 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. } May 2016 in Problem solving. By Plant; Gardening 101. }); They are one of the insects that break down organic matter and return it to the soil. $("#"+thisid).html(foo); I suggest you clear an area of all mulch and try again. If your answer is yes, slugs are the pests eating your Zinnias. What do we think it is and how do we stop/kill/catch it . , rabbits, or squirrels treat the infestation with insecticide, but be of... If you can also use the all-natural method that has proven effective thousands. Seedlings are damaged by voles, chipmunks, rabbits, or squirrels ) are one of the popular! 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