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Hosta Stems Being Eaten

15 years ago

Last year and this year we have had an area of our garden where the Hostas are being eaten at the base of the stem. Looks like a bug is chewing holes in the stem at the base. It weakens the stem and the leaf falls down. Some Hostas have most leaves affected and thus nearly distroys the plant. Help

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Comments (5)

greenguy
15 years ago
probably cut worms
0
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
where are you.. what zone.. what state???

little late for cutworm... except in the extreme north ...

rabbits can cause such ... i mean really .. if you are going to go to all the trouble of truncating the stem.. why not eat it.. you moron ..

ken
0
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is this being eaten?
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the similar damage on the others was way too early for frost. We did just hit 30 the other morning for a bit. Maybe if it was super sensitive... I was reading another thread about caterpillers and it reminded me of possibly caterpillar damage, going from the outside in. Maybe its the "Patriot caterpiller" cause that's the only thing damaged. nah, not worried. just curious.
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yardmom
15 years ago
Slugs
0
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
i was ... of course.. was speaking to the rabbit ...

i doubt slugs can chew through multiple stems in one night....

ken
0
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
a pic would sure be helpful ...

you said .. you doubt bunnies...

NEVER use chemicals until you ID the pest ...

cutworms hatch to moths very early in the season.. they munch a few leaves.. then disappear.... that is not your problem...IMHO ....

could be slugs .... if so .. try the FAQ's and the search function.. maybe a couple hundred posts about 10% vinegar or ammonia... in a pump tank ...

ken
0

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