.....but this time they're starting to destroy my tomato seedlings!! The seedlings only have a few leaves on them. How do I stop the leaf miners......again?
- Francis Barnswallow
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- applestar
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You need more troops in your GARDEN PATROL
Since they pupate in the ground, I think beneficial nematodes might be worth considering. This time of the year would be when you would want to apply them in Florida since you can't do it after it gets hot.
I also think straw or hay mulch would help since that would attract a whole lot of spiders that would patrol the ground.
Hopefully the tomato seedlings will out grow them. Be sure to remove any affected leaf and destroy them. (Cut off/out doodles with scissors to preserve as much of the remaining leaf as possible)
Since they pupate in the ground, I think beneficial nematodes might be worth considering. This time of the year would be when you would want to apply them in Florida since you can't do it after it gets hot.
I also think straw or hay mulch would help since that would attract a whole lot of spiders that would patrol the ground.
Hopefully the tomato seedlings will out grow them. Be sure to remove any affected leaf and destroy them. (Cut off/out doodles with scissors to preserve as much of the remaining leaf as possible)
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- rainbowgardener
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- Francis Barnswallow
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- applestar
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I would venture to say AFTER you till up your garden since tilling could very well kill them. I use no-till gardening techniques.
They should be applied while weather is still cooler, on misty, cloudy or overcast day -- preferably closer to evening. Covering with mulch will also protect them from the sun until they get themselves underground. Heavy rain should be avoided because they might get washed away in the surface runoff.
They should be applied while weather is still cooler, on misty, cloudy or overcast day -- preferably closer to evening. Covering with mulch will also protect them from the sun until they get themselves underground. Heavy rain should be avoided because they might get washed away in the surface runoff.
Last edited by applestar on Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
- rainbowgardener
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**leaf miner update**
I did the "seek and squish" on the seedlings (which are now 6+ inches tall with lots of healthy leaves) and found only a couple more leaf miners. In about 2 weeks I'm going to transplant them into 6 inch wide pots (new soil) and then they're off to the new raised garden on the side of my house........where I'll keep an eye out for the local wildlife such as (racoons, possums, cats, moles, neighborhood kids, etc.).
I did the "seek and squish" on the seedlings (which are now 6+ inches tall with lots of healthy leaves) and found only a couple more leaf miners. In about 2 weeks I'm going to transplant them into 6 inch wide pots (new soil) and then they're off to the new raised garden on the side of my house........where I'll keep an eye out for the local wildlife such as (racoons, possums, cats, moles, neighborhood kids, etc.).