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What's eating my rudbeckia?

And how do I stop them?

These 2 pictures are taken a week apart.

imageimage

I could find one small, white flying insect under a leaf that soon flew off but nothing else.

Posts

  • Mark56Mark56 Posts: 1,653

    Slugs/snails, have you found slime trails? 

    Last edited: 02 October 2017 20:35:11

  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048

    Have never seen any in the flower bed and I have been keeping an eye out.

  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048

    Looked a bit more into this and it was likely whitefly that I saw.

    Has anyone used a homemade spray deterrent with any effect?

  • Mark56Mark56 Posts: 1,653

    Garlic spray has worked for me, as long as it doesn't rain image

  • Mark56Mark56 Posts: 1,653

    Garlic spray has worked for me, as long as it doesn't rain image go out with a torch and some scissors on a damp night, you'll be surprised how many S&S's you find 

  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048

    Thanks for that. It does seem the damage is typical of slugs having seen what whitefly damage is likely to look like, I did only see a couple after all.

    Think I'll invest in some of this too-

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01B5UZSCI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1

  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048

    Just gone outside there as it's just started raining and found 2 small slugs/snails, each a lot smaller than a pea.

    No wonder I couldn't see any trails! At least that stuff will come in handy now.

    What's best to be done with the plant itself and the damage sustained so far?

    Last edited: 06 October 2017 20:05:22

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Just leave them - they'll be going dormant soon. As the leaves become really tatty and brown you can remove them.

    Whitefly is an indication of poor ventilation and airflow. It usually happens if planting is very close, but won't really cause any longterm problem. 

    The small slugs and snails often do more damage than the bigger ones. Just be aware that these pelltes need using very sparingly. It can create more problems if you use too many. It'll attract even more slugs and snails to your garden. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Mark56Mark56 Posts: 1,653

    Agree with Fairy, it's only a problem when the plant starts to surface in Spring and can be subject to a feast. Personally against poison, encourage wildlife like hedgehogs, blackbirds and frogs to predate the S&S. 

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