Holes in zinnias - Ask Extension
Hello,I started my zinnias from seeds and they are growing nicely. Some of them have two sets of leaves and some have just one, all in all they are at...
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Holes in zinnias #176984
Asked April 24, 2014, 7:08 PM EDT
Hello,
I started my zinnias from seeds and they are growing nicely. Some of them have two sets of leaves and some have just one, all in all they are at different growth stages.
I noticed that many of the seedlings (if that is what they are called at this stage) have holes in the leaves.
Can you tell me what might be causing the holes? I read it could be aphids, snails and some other things. I read about some of the possible treatments. However, I don't want to treat them without knowing what may be causing the holes.
Can you help me with this and tell me how to treat the zinnias? I don't want to lose the flowers.
Thank you!
I started my zinnias from seeds and they are growing nicely. Some of them have two sets of leaves and some have just one, all in all they are at different growth stages.
I noticed that many of the seedlings (if that is what they are called at this stage) have holes in the leaves.
Can you tell me what might be causing the holes? I read it could be aphids, snails and some other things. I read about some of the possible treatments. However, I don't want to treat them without knowing what may be causing the holes.
Can you help me with this and tell me how to treat the zinnias? I don't want to lose the flowers.
Thank you!
Harris County Texas
Expert Response
Can you attach some clear pictures of the affected area? This will make it easier to diagnose.
Thanks
Thanks
Hi Paul,
I will email you pictures from my phone. The email address is <personal data hidden>
Thank you,
Janice Sparks
I will email you pictures from my phone. The email address is <personal data hidden>
Thank you,
Janice Sparks
Janice:
Thanks for the pictures.
It looks like you may have had some early caterpillar stages feeding on the leaves. The damage probably occurred at night. As these plants continue to grow they will out grow the damage. The new growth on one of the pictures looks great.
I would take a wait and see approach. If the feeding continues you can treat with a Bt type product or chemical product like Sevin.
Thanks for the question.
Thanks for the pictures.
It looks like you may have had some early caterpillar stages feeding on the leaves. The damage probably occurred at night. As these plants continue to grow they will out grow the damage. The new growth on one of the pictures looks great.
I would take a wait and see approach. If the feeding continues you can treat with a Bt type product or chemical product like Sevin.
Thanks for the question.
Thank you Paul. What is Bt?
Bt is Bacillus thuringensis, a bacterial derivative that is effective specifically against caterpillars. The toxins produced by the bacteria are ingested by the larvae and destroys the digestive tract of the caterpillar. The product, commonly called B.t. is marketed under the trade names of Dipel, Thuricide, Bactur, or Bioworm.
Thanks.
Thanks.
