Intrinsic, first, a plant that is buggy shouldn't be fertilized.. What type of holes? are you finding? Are they small or large bitten foliage? If large, then I'd think something like a rabbit or squirrel is snacking on your hib. If small, then your hib might have an insect/s. There's many pests to check for including mites, mealy, whitefly, scale, etc. Do you know how to check for pests? Mites build webbs, looking similar to the common spiderweb, but finer. Shake the plant to check for any white bugs flying in the air. (whitefly) Inspect entire plant for anything that shouldn't be there. Mealy are cottony patches. And scale remsemble armored, roundish pests. Scale is difficult spotting at an early age..But once they mature they're easy to locate. Most bugs leave a sticky residue. FEel the leaves/stems for stickiness. BTW, are your 4 hibs the same type? Toni

How large are the stems? Have you seen pillbugs (rolly pollies)? I am batteling pillbugs right now, they not only kill seedlings, but have also been gnawing on the larger stems of cucumber, pumpkin, cantaloup, potato, and musk melon. Took me awhile to figure out my potato problem, until I removed the mulch and found hundreds of pillbugs with strips of stem eaten off. Caught them red-handed,, so to all you naysayers, PILLBUGS DO EAT LARGE LIVE PLANTS!

I am wondering if, with all this rain and accompanying overcast skies on the east coast, our plants' "outside cuticles" are not really adjusting to outdoor sunlight but are getting sunburned when they are exposed to bright light for short periods of time. If ten days pass with very little bright sunlight, they're quite likely to develop new growth that isn't used to it. It seems to be happening for a lot of people who say they hardened off their plants before setting them in their permanent home.

Wow, I never thought about a plant cam, too funny! I found a half eaten tomato and lots of droppings and posted pics in another thread; and with helpful suggestions there, I found out it's hornworms or catepillars. Had I looked closer at the picture above I would have known right away....but the good news is, I think I've gotten rid of all of them and have beautiful tomatoes ripening! Yay!