What Is Eating My Zinnia Seedlings? Try a "collar" around the plant stems to act as a barrier. Deer. Oh well then I had both last year. I suggest you clear an area of all mulch and try again. Zinnias affected by scales develop small, waxy areas on the leaves. To determine the small animals eating seedlings in your own garden, it will be important to observe the area carefully. Anyone know what it doing this and how to get rid of them. e.preventDefault(); Cutworms seem to like zinnia seedlings. 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. But it was bright yellow! Something is eating holes in my Zinnia leaves! I live in Ottawa and we are not allowed to use insecticides. I planted many baby Zinnia's in my flower beds just recently. var url = "/frogs/ajax/post_comment/"+pid+"/"; $(document).ready(function(){ You could also try to transplant some that you are thinning out. Hero … This will prevent cutworms from cutting off your tender plants. there is a 4th one - that is undisturbed in the container. 0. My problem with using this as your everyday eating area is that it is carpeted. I have noticed holes in the leaves of near-by basil plants and in coleus as well. They just didn't grow very much. It almost looked like a slug the way it was wrapped around the flower. Slugs and snails will make a meal of zinnias as well. Terms of Service apply. It's coming back now that it's fenced. They get into my pots as well. $("#"+thisid).slideDown(); 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. Out came the bag of diatomaceous earth, my favorite way to stop the … } The only bugs I've seen look a bit like extra thin and leggy grasshoppers. Log in or register to join the conversation. Let the seed pods dry until they are brown and crunchy. This is the first time that I have seen a goldfinch eating zinnias. I just planted my zinnia plants yesterday and this morning when I checked it looks like something has chewed them. var pid = mySplit[1]; $("#"+thisid).attr('style',''); Question by DebraAnn678 May 25, 2001 . Zinnias (Zinnia elegans) are one of the most popular summer- and autumn-flowering plants. Something Is Eating My Zinnia Seedlings - Knowledgebase Question. By Plant; Indoor. Have you planted Zinnias in the SAME area, I know you said you have planted them before BUT have you used that area. Anyone have any suggestions how to keep the horrible pests away from my plants! Growing zinnia plants can be inexpensive, particularly when growing them from seed. They are one of the insects that break down organic matter and return it to the soil. Unfortunately, unless you see signs of what could be eating them it can be very hard to tell what will be the culprit. } 74 shares. Almost half are gone! 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. 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. 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. This is the first year they've attacked the zinnias. Seeds of zinnia flowers should usually be sown directly into the sunny flower bed, as developing roots do not like to be disturbed. $("#show_answer_form").slideDown(); Place it on the soil around the stem of your transplant, burying the cardboard about one inch into the soil. Thank you in advance, I miss my zinnias! Slugs perhaps, but pillbugs don't eat live plant tissue. Last year was my first year growing zinnias. Pick out slugs as soon as you notice them. Start s… I always dig down with my finger around the remaining stem to find the culprit and destroy it. For years I have great success growing zinnias from seed. Rabbit. Other natural control methods include lady bug beetles and lacewings; you may try using a culture from a garden supply center. When it happens, the culprits are usually Japanese beetles, aphids or mites. For years I have great success growing zinnias from seed. 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 Skinny, Spindly Seedlings Need More Light or Need Pinching Zinnias need many hours of bright, direct sun to flourish. 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. function _ShowAnswerButton(pid) { data: $("#"+thisid).serialize(), }); 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 planted zinnia seeds under a row cover after the first batch of about 100 new seedlings just disappeared overnight in the same bed. Sometimes it takes several minutes to find it. Insecticidal Soap . Question by DebraAnn678 May 25, 2001. I also fenced off my Peace rose plant and my herb garden because rabbits were destroying coneflower, dill, and chive plants. Privacy Policy and What do we think it is and how do we stop/kill/catch it . What a delightful surprise! } Every year when it warms up earwigs are out and munching on Zinnia and many other daisy like babies. They ate the rose down to the wood. $("form.frog_reply_form").submit(function(e) { This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Could either of these be the culprit? Zinnias are rarely attacked by insects. While garden seeds are commonly eaten by mice, most seedlings are damaged by voles, chipmunks, rabbits, or squirrels. All three di seases a re favo red by warm, wet or very humid weather, overhead sprinkling, excess shade, and crowding of plants. I have photos if you would like to … The leaves were decimated and any that made it as far as flowering were turned into sticks. Tear a strip of newspaper about 2" wide and a foot long. Probably earwigs. Would appreciate any advice, thanks. One night they were fine and the next morning they were gone, stem and all. How to grow Zinnia Plants. Minnehaha County South Dakota. $("#show-reply-form-"+pid).hide(); Typically, Slugs are lousy chewers-they don’t eat neatly. Did they tear it out with talons of steel. Brown leaf edges appeared and I assumed it was an insect or disease. The first month or two, I watered once a week maybe. While looking at my zinnias the other day, I saw a bright yellow “something” wrapped around the flower. var thisid = $(this).attr('id'); plant pauper Posts: 6,234. if ($(window).width() < 1025) { Logged snowdrops. }); Hi everyone, can anyone tell me what's been chomping away at my Zinnia seedlings and what action (if any) I should take. $("#"+thisid).hide(); … What’s Eating My Sunflower Leaves? 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! Morning I see 3 seedlings are not there! 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. I'm not even bothering this year because something round here clearly loves them. Pick them out and smash them. $.get('/frogs/ajax/print_comment.php', { pid: data} ).done(function(foo) { The first batch was planted in open air without a row cover. How To Control Them. Cutworms are often found in the top inch or two of soil, curled in a 'C' shape. Wrap it around the stem of the plant placing the bottom end just below the soil surface. I've re-seeded both years, with same results. 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. Posts. 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've only seen one … Flint, MI. 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. Flint, MI. Zinnia > Leaves > Holes in leaves or leaves chewed off. $("#replyform-"+pid).hide(); there was 1-2 leaves of zinnia on the dirt. You can try cardboard or paper towel rolls. 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. Just take an empty paper towel or toilet paper roll and cut the cardboard into 3-inch long sections. function Frog_Cancel(pid) { If they are at all shaded they are forced to stretch to reach the light, causing them to develop thin stems. Many types of rodents can create a series of tunnels, while larger animals like squirrels may leave more obvious … $("#"+thisid).html(foo); 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 can also use the all-natural method that has proven effective for thousands of years. 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. Tips & Tricks. They are usually just under the surface within one to three inches from the stem. 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. 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