Got some bug damage or disease damage or something bad going on with my sunflowers. It's my first year to grow anything, so it could be common, but I don't know. I've included some pictures. One is of the plants, and the second two are of some random bugs I found on the plants. Anyone have any ideas what I'm dealing with? Thanks!
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/ifpt999/IMG_4911.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/ifpt999/IMG_4909.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/ifpt999/IMG_4908.jpg[/img]
My sunflowers all did the same thing. As they grew the top leaves did real well, and the leaves below them all started dying. As it grew taller, it just repeated that. I was constantly pulling off the lower leaves as they died. My sunflowers still did great despite this. I'm thinking, as they grow taller they top leaves start blocking out bottome leaves, giving them no purpose so the plant lets them die and fall off and focuses on the higher up leaves which are getting the most sun. Every one of my sunflowers bloomed, and all produced seeds(still not sure yet if they're any good) so I wouldn't worry unless the tops are dying or if you see alot of holes appear from bugs. I knocked off alot of caterpillars from mine but they all still grew nice and tall.