gardenbug8's Blog
gardenbug8's Blog
My plants are being invaded by bugs.
Apr 29, 2008 | 10:43 PM PST
Tags: Eggplant , watermeln , aphids
I sowed a couple of eggplant seeds and transplanted them after the first 4 true leaves emerged and grew. It grew more leaves since then but a couple of days later, it looks like a leaf-eating bug was devouring the leaves and a day later, the leaves were totally gone. Also one surviving watermelon showed the same leaf-eaten cut so I wrapped the stems with aluminum foil. Hopefully this works but I will soon find out whether it survives. Is it to late to sow eggplant and watermelon seeds now? I am in zone 9 in California but it is more like zone 7 here this time of year. At least I still have 4 tomatoe plants that instead of transplanting them in the ground right away, I transplanted them in a 4-inch pot and today, it is about 5" tall already. I will soon be transplanting them to another tupsy turvy planter, so no bugs anticipated there. I am sick of these bugs and I don't know how to eradicate them. I know some are rolly pollies but the tiniest ones, I have no idea. Also, aphids on my roses are big and for the first time, I saw aphids with wings. I did not know that aphids grow wings. I also wrapped an aluminum foil on my standard hibiscus so the aphids invading the anemones on the same planter won't be able to climb up the hibiscus. But as I say, I saw aphids with wings so they may still be able to invade the hibiscus. On our local station, they mentioned that aphids this year in our area will be bigger, and sure they are. I have never seen aphids this big. Any advice?
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Apr 29, 2008 | 10:43 PM PST
Tags: Eggplant , watermeln , aphids
I sowed a couple of eggplant seeds and transplanted them after the first 4 true leaves emerged and grew. It grew more leaves since then but a couple of days later, it looks like a leaf-eating bug was devouring the leaves and a day later, the leaves were totally gone. Also one surviving watermelon showed the same leaf-eaten cut so I wrapped the stems with aluminum foil. Hopefully this works but I will soon find out whether it survives. Is it to late to sow eggplant and watermelon seeds now? I am in zone 9 in California but it is more like zone 7 here this time of year. At least I still have 4 tomatoe plants that instead of transplanting them in the ground right away, I transplanted them in a 4-inch pot and today, it is about 5" tall already. I will soon be transplanting them to another tupsy turvy planter, so no bugs anticipated there. I am sick of these bugs and I don't know how to eradicate them. I know some are rolly pollies but the tiniest ones, I have no idea. Also, aphids on my roses are big and for the first time, I saw aphids with wings. I did not know that aphids grow wings. I also wrapped an aluminum foil on my standard hibiscus so the aphids invading the anemones on the same planter won't be able to climb up the hibiscus. But as I say, I saw aphids with wings so they may still be able to invade the hibiscus. On our local station, they mentioned that aphids this year in our area will be bigger, and sure they are. I have never seen aphids this big. Any advice?
4 Member Comments
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Apr 30, 2008 | 8:01 AM PST
Both eggplants and watermelons need the soil to be fully warm (read: HOT!) for vigorous growth. If they don't grow vigorously, then the leafeaters will find them and feast on them. Wait until the weather has been warm and settled for at least a month before you set them out. I'm in zone 6a or b or maybe sort of zone 7 (our climate has really changed in the past fifteen years!). I set my watermelons out in late June and eggplants in early July. |
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Apr 30, 2008 | 8:21 AM PST
40 years ago, while I was gardening with this old man in Indiana, I planted small egg plants and they went no where. He told me I should put them in a hot frame until they were at least 12" tall and then set them in the field. When I did that, I had so many produced that summer,I couldn't find enough people to share them with. You have a great day and happy gardening. Bill Mitchell |
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Apr 30, 2008 | 8:25 AM PST
For the aphids- I would use either ladybugs OR an insecticidal soap. The soap will kill the ladybugs too so don't apply along with ladybugs :) Have you tried using a strong stream of water to wash them off? I've heard that mentioned as a way to control them...but I've never done it myself (my ladybugs and mantises control the aphids for me) |
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Apr 30, 2008 | 8:32 AM PST
Thank you all for the advice. I will sow eggplants again and wait for the heat before transplanting them. Hopefully, the one watermelon plant survives as I have no more seeds to sow. I started looking for ladybugs and mantis to buy for the aphids but my goodness, the shipping cost is 4 times as much as the ladybugs themselves. Last edited by gardenbug8 on April 30th at 8:35 AM. |
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