whats eating my sun flowers?

lillgardnr · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:38 pm Post subject: whats eating my sun flowers?

i noticed it when i first put them in. i planted 30 seedlings...the next day 15 of them were gone. ive replanted and replanted. it seems if they can get big enough they are left alone. its the replanted seedling that are being attached now...all that is left is a stem sticking out of the ground....out of the 15 replanted and replanted...there are 4 missing this morning... i haven't been lucky enough to see any bugs on or around them. any ideas?

Jess · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 4:33 pm Post subject:

Have you seen any slime trails? Slugs and snails adore young sunflowers!

When you plant the next ones cut a 2 litre plastic bottle in half keeping the neck end. Slide them over your seedlings so that the plant will grow up through the neck and be protected round the base. It will not stop persistent snails but it will give you a chance to see them before they can climb in through the neck. It also gets them off to a good start as it is like they are growing in their own little greenhouse. Very Happy

lillgardnr · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:12 pm Post subject:

great idea, thanks for that...tonight when i replant them again i'll try that, and tomorrow i'll let you know if they made it through the night. Smile

lillgardnr · Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 5:49 am Post subject:

this is what i find most mornings....

so i made this and put it to work this evening with the plant that took the stems place...

I'll check it in the morning...let you know if she survives through the night with my mystery bug.... Razz

...
do turkey eat sun flowers?
walked out into the garden this evening and walked up to near 20 wild turkeys...surprised me because i don't see them here very often...there were babies to...oh so cute...i called the children to see, but of course forgot the camera...next time, i hope... Wink

lillgardnr · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 2:48 am Post subject:

it made it through the night...and now it almost 8 pm here and we're heading into our 2nd night...i think i found my solution...thanks a lot... Wink

tiggs&oscar · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 3:12 am Post subject:

That is exactly what happened with my green beans and slugs so I did the same thing Jess suggested to you using old plastic bottles. In this climate it has the added bonus of being able to screw the bottle top back on for cooler nights whilst young plants are still getting established.

Would love to see a photograph of the turkey's!

TO Smile

pixelphoto · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:21 pm Post subject:

deer ate mine to the ground leaving the tough stalks lol Smile

i had pretty nice leafy plants that were about to flower and then the next day I looked they were all gone I ran out there to look and there were hoof prints and wood stalks down to the ground Oh well maybe next year.

Jess · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:30 pm Post subject:

I'm glad it worked lilgardnr Very Happy

I would also love to see a pic of the turkeys and pixel I am so sorry you lost yours! I don't think there are any bottles big enough to keep the deer off!! Laughing

lillgardnr · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject:

there still alive!!! and growing fast. thanks again for the help...if I get another chance I'll grab a few shots of the turkeys to... Very Happy

Kacykay · New Member Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Posts: 2

It's me ligardnr.. I seek into your yard at night & nibble them.... heeheehee...

lillgardnr · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject:

I THOUGHT SO Laughing

hows your garden coming? do you have any photos? Very Happy

lillgardnr · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 6:31 am Post subject:

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thanks for the great advice...the sunflowers are doing great now... Very Happy

uggabugga · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: whats eating my sun flowers?

lillgardnr, did you ever figure out what the culprit was?

i had the same thing happen with my sunflowers, and it wasn't until i went out late at night one night with a flashlight that i realized what was eating them.

i don't know what other people call them, but i call them may beetles. they dig themselves into the ground during the daytime and come out at night. if you take a trowel and dig around the base of the sunflowers, you may find some. i found hundreds in just around 20 minutes.

lillgardnr · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 4:11 pm Post subject:

that is so gross....if they are out there,...will they hurt other crops if i just leave them be??? i don't want to touch them if i don't have to...but i will, if i need to Rolling Eyes

lillgardnr · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 5:24 pm Post subject:

i got a few shots of the tukeys too... gosh they move fast..it sounds silly but i didnt know they could fly...my old oak trees were full of these huge turkeys...it was so strange to see...
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