help!!!

17 years ago

This is probably a very basic question for a lot of you but I'm very new to gardening, didn't even know what my zone was...Last year I was forced to stop work because of illness, my family and friends planted a small butterfly/hummingbird garden for me to enjoy during recovery. It has done well, will little to no maintenance. This year they decided to plant a lot of bulbs for my enjoyment. I thought the rain (7 more inches than normal) was causing problems for them as they are not doing well but after reading all the great information, I followed advice, went out after dark and found most of the common creepy crawlers discussed on this forum making a meal of them.

I have again followed the advice given here and purchased some insecticidal soap and plan to have a party of my own tonight squishing and spraying the buggers!

My question is..the bugs seem to completely ignopre my butterfly garden plants and seem to be demolishing the bulbs..I'm sure there are a few in the bfly garden but causing no damage. If I treat the bulbs..will the bugs then start in on my bfly garden..or should I just let them enjoy my bulbs and hope they don't spread over to the other plants.

Maybe a silly question to some of you..but I'm very new and feel my bfly garden actually helps in my recovery..I'm terrified to risk having it go the way of my bulbs...

Any suggestions? Thanks...

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Comments (2)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
Congratulations on your recovery....keep up the good work!

Are you able to identify most of those critters? If so, share with us so we can do a better job of helping you prevent a problem. We might be able to help with the bulbs, too.

The thing about a butterfly garden is that you have to be very careful about how you handle a pest infestation. Even insecticidal soap can cause problems for those insects that you are trying to attract. SO! You are one big step ahead of the game by being observant. Keep your eyes peeled for pest problems so that you can remove as many as possible by hand or with strong sprays of plain water.

I've been active in the GardenWeb Forums for about 10 years, I guess. There is long standing tradition that is still active in the Garden Party forum that is quite lovely, I think. We send sunflowers to those who need special good wishes, hugs, or TLC. They can be symbolic of a get well card, a prayer, or just some sunny thoughts! Here are some sunflowers for you!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:453935}}
malorn
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you for your reply and the beautiful sunflowers! Here is a list of the the bugs I've identified...Earwigs were there and I picked what I saw and squshed them...slugs (not many, also removed and squshed..)..aphids (I used a hose and sprayed them off but the bulb greens are so delicate now from the damage that it almost ruined the green)..leafhoppers I saw and they just seemed to jump away...the wispy webs of spider mites..the webs were at the top of the greens..I did see spiders at the base of a few plants and not sure what to do as I read that some spiders are good..2 tiny, tiny snails I removed.. I was able to identify all these from reading the wealth of info here! I will try to get pictures of the ones I couldn't identify but I saw a few black beetles (just small and black, no identifing marks), A 1/4 inch caterpillar, black with a yellow stripe on each side (not sure if caterpillar is right but that's the only way I know to describe the shape), small whitish, yellow magotty looking thing with legs??? Looks like a thin maggot but crawls like a caterpillar..can't describe it any better..will try to get a picture..flies, small with white stripes on wings..and a host of small black things that move..even with magnification I couldn't make them out..just looks like moving speck of dirt...

Anyway..I will try to get pictures and figure out how to get them posted..the bfly garden doesn't seem to be bothered with these yet...but the bulbs were crawling with them!
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