Think I know cause of problem with garden, but need more help!

gwynne2006

16 years ago

Thanks everyone for answering my questions about what could be causing several plants in my garden to be doing so poorly.

It was mostly the zinnias and gerbera daisy. Once I took off the zinnia flowers that didnt look good and all the leaves that were chewed on, I saw there were more buds underneath. That was about two days ago and now one bud on each plant is starting to open. They look much better!

But here is the problem. The japanese beetles are swarming to these plants. I think that was one of the causes of them doing so poorly. It doesnt look like the japanese beetles go after verbena, which half of my garden consists of. Is there any way I can rid myself of these pests? Or is my only solution to buy plants that dont attract beetles?

I dont want to spray anything, not that I know if there is anything effective, because it just so happens that the zinnias are near my parsley. Is there anything natural I could use that wouldnt harm other insects?

Comments (7)

tdogmom
16 years ago
Badminton racket
gwynne2006
Original Author
16 years ago
Are you suggesting I hit them with a badmitton racket or use it as an alternative to flowers? You know, maybe just weave some fake flowers through the racket, stick it in a planter and have a pretty garden without all the fuss.
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onafixedincome
16 years ago
ROFL!!That's a new use for a racket I hadn't thought of... :)

Baldo Villegas has a great rose site that shows in detail how to deal with 'em...squich! Crunch! SQUASH!

Pick em and drop in a bucket of nice hot soapy water. They drown nicely, too.

Be persistent.

You *could* keep track of how far you can flick em (post kill) from your balcony, too...although the pedestrians below might not appreciate the sudden descent of deceased beetles...
snowgardener
16 years ago
I've READ (in the book Carrots Love Tomatoes) that rue is a useful deterant for JBs. I haven't tested the theory yet because a BST momma layed her eggs on the little plant I bought this spring before I could plant it, and the cats ate it to the ground. But I am going to get some more rue, several plants even, and plant it near my roses and raspberries which are most often plagued by JBs. And if it doesn't work, it is still a great host plant.
gwynne2006
Original Author
16 years ago
Interesting suggestions from everyone. I do in fact have rue growing as I want to grow enough to send away for GSTs. And I was thinking about the soapy water, just dont want 'good' insects to fly in and drown.

Yesterday I felt a little bit like one of those characters in the movie where these strange neighbors move in. I had my venetian blinds drawn and every couple of minutes I would run over and peek through them and see what the beetles were doing next!
susanlynne48
16 years ago
I see June beetles, but have never seen Japanese beetles in my yard. I do grow Rue, but not enough that you'd guess it might be a deterrant. I also have about 5 huge Rose of Sharon's that are supposed to be their favorite food. Maybe that's why I don't notice them, because I pay absolutely no attention to those ROS's. If I had my way, I would rip them all out, but they're too big. If that's their favorite food, they can have them. Seedlings, anyone?

Susan
buford
16 years ago
I grow roses and JBs love roses. The only sprays that kill them kill everything else, so you can't use that in a butterfly garden.

Just go out every morning and evening with a jar of soapy water and pick them off the plants and into the jar. The are slow and easy to catch, especially in the AM.

Think I know cause of problem with garden, but need more help!

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tdogmom

gwynne2006
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Think I know cause of problem with garden, but need more help!

Comments (7)

tdogmom

gwynne2006Original Author

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gwynne2006
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