This happened here in San Diego to my trees also because we had a huge amount of blooms and buds and than poof but they were'nt on the ground. In the past had all kind of pest problems and still have a huge amount of ants but have been using Garden Choice 3-1 concentrate and the leaves have no diseases for the first time in years and my old fruit which I just picked is delicious where as last year the insides of the fruit were gone thru a small area of the skinn. Maybe next year we can hope but if you get anyother ideas please let me know at debbysunshine@hotmail.com

Jennifer, In my garden, which also has a huge variety of flowers like yours, this happens a lot. Here in our location, it is usually sow bugs or pill bugs, also known as roly-poly bugs, wood lice or doodle bugs. Check the ground, especially early in the morning or around twilight and see if you see any of them. Or, lay down a board or shingle on the ground very close to the flower bed. They will congregate under it to get out of the heat of the day and, when you lift up the board, there they will be. If you have them, they probably are what is doing the damage. If you have roly-poly bugs, there is a product actually made for snails and slugs but it also kills sow bugs and pill bugs. It is organic and safe for use around pets and wildlife. The one I use most often is called Slug-Go and I've linked a recent discussion about it and wood lice for you. It could be something else, of course, but in our yard, only sow bugs and pill bugs eat the marigolds. Dawn Here is a link that might be useful: Previous Discussion of Wood Lice (Pill bugs)

Assuming your plants haven't taken up cigarette smoking, there are a number of other possibilities. It sounds like you have two different kinds of plants displaying the same symptoms, and the symptoms appeared rather suddenly (within 2 days). Both make me think it is more likely an environmental factor rather than a pest. The light color and thinning sounds like sun scald. This is usually found on the leaves with the most direct sun exposure. Where the leaves have edge "wounds", it could be physical damage from transplanting or perhaps they got too dried out either before or after they were transplanted. I don't think it is a nutrient deficiency as this wouldn't show up after being in the new soil for only 2 days. There may be other possibilities also, but these seem to fit the situation you describe.

From what I've read, some Thrip's are better than others, like some will eat Spider Mites. But ultimately you don't want them in your house. They are tough SOB's though, 100% Rubbing Alchohol didn't even kill them instantly. I've now added to my arsenal... They are attracted to the color Blue (they make Blue sticky traps), but I made my own w/ Blue painter's tape. I also read that you can put Vanilla extract on cotton balls, Thrip's are attracted to the scent, crawl inside, and cannot extricate themselves. After being quarantined to the bathroom (w/ or w/o light) for a week, it was treated and repotted, and continues to push new growth. I think I'll spray one more time tomorrow, and see how she goes.:-) Rob