skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

Something is eating my seedlings and eggplant -- pics included

13 years ago

Help! The cukes and squash were direct seeded a few weeks ago and something seems to be eating them but I don't see any bugs The eggplant was purchased and is looking very sad. Sorry the photos are not better, having issues uploading. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

{{gwi:76247}}

{{gwi:76248}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

farmerdilla
13 years ago
Can't really see the eggplant that well, but flea beetles tend to decimate eggplant early in the season. It is a tiny black bug that hops off the plant when you approach. The first appearance will be be tiny shot holes in the leaves, butcan in numbers take out the whole leaf. As for the squash, I would bet on slugs. They could also be the culprit on the eggplants if sections of the leaf are eaten. They work at night.
0
westwillie
13 years ago
I always take walks at night about 10 or 11 in my garden when things are young. Go with a flashlight and you will find slugs and earwigs....the two can really eat seedlings fast. If you are not into sqeezing them with your fingers take some forceps or tweezers. Be quick with the pincher bugs (earwigs) they move fast. By going out at night you can see how bad the problem is and just acouple nights might knock them back so you won't have to spray or use powders. Sometimes my wife joins me holding the flashlight for a romantic evening of bug squishing!!!
0
Related Discussions
What is eating my bush beans. Pics included
Q
Comments (2)
It looks like deer to me. I see this all the time at the community garden. They just walk down the row giving the beans a nice clean trim.
...See More
Something is eating my leaves on my Artichoke seedlings
Q
Comments (2)
I'm a bit late to answer, I know, but it might be interesting to note that snails and slugs love artichokes ! I have planted 12 artichokes, far apart one from the other, and they are fighting to survive against the snails and slugs. Ferramol the little buggers don't find it tasty enough. My ripe strawberries they don't give a rat's butt. Obviously the weeds they are fed up with. But the artichokes they are mad of them ! Gourmet meal ! Even the big hard leaves ! So I had to buy grounded coffee, kilos of it, and to make a ring around the artichokes. I sort of mulched around the plant and the circle is about 60 cm in diameter. I wish I had stock in starbuck because me alone have helped their business a lot ! Oh, there's hand picking as well, which I used to do at 6 in the morning, when only the artichokes were planted. Now I have to water the 50 tomatoes and 10 zucchinis and 5 squash (the lattest being a tasty meal for the snails too apparently ! ) so there's no time to pick the buggers before work any more ! Good luck ! Enjoy it that you're not here in the South of France where we have billions of little white snails called "limacon" ! They are so numerous that they stiffle whole big trees in summer when they stuck on them to avoid the hot soil !
...See More
Red Spider Mites on Eggplant - Pics Included
Q
Comments (1)
Just ordered No Spider Mites, 32 oz for $39, no tax and free shipping. Its a bit pricy, but will last me two seasons. I read several reviews and everyone swears by this product. it works as in it kills the eggs. I want to eat eggplants from all my 8 plants, 4 varities. This is also helpful for tomato plants. I didnt realize that I posted it in tomato pests. LOL.
...See More
Is this bad for my indoor seedlings? Pics included.
Q
Comments (14)
Habjolokia I went and bought cups like that too for mine lol. They got too big and I had to go to larger breathable bags at Walmart. They're only fifty cents per bag. The person who posted this IMPROVED THEIR PEPPERS SO MUCH!!!! thank you for the update photo, they are looking great! Something they could try when watering them is put a little water in a tray or even bathtub if you don't mind cleaning up a Lil dirt. Then just sit your plants in there for about a half hour and the roots will suck up what they need through the bottom assuming there's good holes in the bottom. Then stick em back to where you store them in light or under a grow lamp.
...See More
winchesterva
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you very much for your responses. I have not seen any slugs (but that doesn't mean they are not there!)

After posting this request for help, I found LOTS of what I believe are squash bugs in the squash beds, I know they lay their eggs, but not sure, do they also eat the plant? This is only my second attempt at direct seeding and didn't have this problem last year.

westwillie.....love your idea of a romantic evening...very funny.
0
planatus
13 years ago
Squash are strong plants and will easily outgrow early season insect damage. If you can get the area clear of most insects, popping on a row cover will give the plants a break for a couple of weeks, until they start blooming.

The eggplant has been decimated by flea beetles, its normal destiny in the SE if it is not securely covered with a row cover or coated continously with pesticides. I would start over there -- still plenty of time. All is not lost, just little setbacks.

Here is a link that might be useful: pictures of row covers
0
winchesterva
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Planatus, I will start over with the eggplants and give the row cover a try, yours look great.

I left the squash and cukes, but went ahead and planted a few more seeds. Keeping my figers crossed!
0
misterbaby
13 years ago
Squash bugs do not feed on the foliage. Rather, they pierce the plant's vascular system and suck the life out of the plant. Look for yellowish bronze eggs usually found on the underside of the leaves. Misterbaby.
0

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN 16 Scrumptious Eat-In Kitchens and What They Want You to Serve

By Becky Harris

Whether apple-pie cheerful or champagne sophisticated, these eat-in kitchens offer ideas to salivate over

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Turquoise Cabinets Snazz Up a Space-Savvy Eat-In

By Vanessa Brunner

Color gives a row house kitchen panache, while a clever fold-up table offers flexibility

KITCHEN DESIGN 10 Kitchen Setups for an Eating Area You’ll Love

By Laura Gaskill

Bring color and creativity to the table with cool chairs, statement lighting and artful touches

LIVING ROOMS Living Room Meets Dining Room: The New Way to Eat In

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Banquette seating, folding tables and clever seating options can create a comfortable dining room right in your main living space

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Tomatoes

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant tomato seedlings in spring for one of the best tastes of summer, fresh from your backyard

SPRING GARDENING Summer Crops: How to Grow Strawberries

By Marianne Lipanovich

Pluck your own sweet strawberries right from the garden vine for smoothies, salads or eating then and there

COLOR Purple on the Outside

By Mary Jo Bowling

Are shades of grape, eggplant, lavender and plum the most daring colors for a home’s exterior?

HOUZZ TV Houzz TV: How to Make and Plant a Veggie Box

By Annie Thornton

See how to start edibles from seed, then transfer the seedlings to a box on stilts to make harvesting more fun

MOST POPULAR 40 Dogs Who Are Having a Way Better Summer Than You

By Mitchell Parker

Houzzers share pics of their canine companions living it up — or getting down with relaxing — on warm days

FARM YOUR YARD How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

By Annie Thornton

Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix

Sponsored

Structural Remodeling

Franklin County's Heavy Timber Specialists | Best of Houzz 2020!

More Discussions

gave my garlic a haircut today

14

Tiny leaf bite marks

15

3

More bite marks

2

oregano leaf sizes?

6