I think bugs are eating my plants - what to do

14 years ago

I'm working hard to get my garden in order again.

Today I was getting some weeds our and finiding some plants when I noticed some strange looking stuff on a few of my plants. One plant has some bubbles under it's leaf and the leaves above the bubbles are discolored and look well, terrible.

Then, one of my favorites, coral bells, has some large clusters of white spots on it's leaves.

Any ideas? I'd like to stay away from chemical sprays, but will do it if no one here has any ideas. I can take photos if you need a better look.

Thanks you.

B

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Comments (10)

leaveswave
14 years ago
The bubbles, are they smallish bumps? If so, then it's probably some type of gall. Those don't usually threaten the plant's health and are difficult if not useless to treat, so it's usually recommended to ignore them. Here's some info about them: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/components/DG1009.pdf

The white spots, I'm not sure about. It has been wet, but it's still a little cool and early in the season to be powdery mildew...do you know what that looks like? Here's a picture of it on monarda: http://www.extension.umn.edu/gardeninfo/diagnostics/annualperennial/monarda/leavesspots.html

If these resources don't match your problem, maybe someone else will have some ideas or you could try posting pictures. Best of luck with your plants--it's going to be a strange year for them with this weather!

Here is a link that might be useful: Lots of useful gardening information
bubbles29
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you so much for your reply... I looked at those pages and I can't quite match it up to any of those. However, I have seen that black and yellow bettle around! It's pretty - to bad it's not so good for the plants.

I'll try to take some photos in the next day or so and post it....
Since I'm not sure how to post a photo, it may take a little longer
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bitterwort
14 years ago
If by "bubbles" you mean little clumps of what look like fine soap suds or egg whites that you're beating to a foam, it's probably spittlebugs. Check inside the foam for a little green larval-form insect. It makes a froth to hide in and keep itself moist. Spraying off the foam with water and picking off the insect helps somewhat, but usually there's more where they came from.

Do a search for spittlebugs on the site leavesweave mentioned. One article suggested spraying the foam off with water and then hitting the insect with insecticidal soap. Good luck!
zenpotter
14 years ago
If it is spittle bugs here is what I do. It is a bit disgusting but works. With gloves on I pick them off and squish them. The only way I have found that truly works. You have to keep doing it. I check every few days so there isn't many to do at a time. If you wipe your gloved fingers on the grass right away it isn't as bad.
bubbles29
Original Author
14 years ago
I have some photos now.. how do I post them?

Thanks for the spittle bug info - they are spreading since my last post - so it the other stuff >: It's a bummer since I'm working hard to dig my garden out from it's previously un-attended and over-run with weeds state. >:
bubbles29
Original Author
14 years ago
[IMG]http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h87/Bubbles2836/IMG_2230.jpg[/IMG]
bubbles29
Original Author
14 years ago
Still working on it...

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1051504}}
bubbles29
Original Author
14 years ago
Green stem with spots

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1051505}}
bubbles29
Original Author
14 years ago
Not the best photo... but it was hard to get one of the blood of bubbles

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1051506}}
bubbles29
Original Author
14 years ago
More spots (the red kind)

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1051507}}

I think bugs are eating my plants - what to do

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I think bugs are eating my plants - what to do

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