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Garden Gate:  Potato help, please?  |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 04 2011 : 08:42:19 AM
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Hi girls!
'Just went out to check on my garden and I notice my potato plants have little teeny tiny holes all over the leaves. I tried to see if there were any bugs, but I didn't find any. I did see, however, one little green bug flying away when I was lifting the leaves. Do any of you know what is eating my potatoes' leaves, and, if so, what should I do?
Thanks so much -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - Jun 04 2011 : 11:24:27 AM
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Tried spraying the plants with soapy water? Thats a pretty good organic catch all bug remedy.
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1145 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1145 Posts |
Posted - Jun 04 2011 : 3:23:13 PM
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I also notice tiny pinholes in mine, but I have never caught the culprit, nor ever tried to kill the bug as it does not seem to affect the taters in the long run. Now, on the other hand, Colorado potato beetles are a whole 'nuther story. However, they do pretty massive damage pretty quick and not just little holes. They are kind of like the tomato hornworm of the potato world, lol. (I hand pick them off, and mulch my taters with straw...haven't seen em in 2 years now)
So, unless it is severely compromising your plants, I'd leave it be.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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henlady35904
True Blue Farmgirl
295 Posts
Kim
Gadsden
Alabama
USA
295 Posts |
Posted - Jun 04 2011 : 4:14:32 PM
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| If the soapy dosent work, try Neem oil. It has been working pretty good for me. Its organic too. Good luck... |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2011 : 07:49:07 AM
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Hi girls - Thank you SO much!
Kristina! I thought I was the only one to use flour for natural pest control! It is a WONDER for slugs and other crawlies... I'll have to add the pepper, too!!!
I have to be brief - HUGE thunderstorm overhead... I just want to thank you all before I sign off for the day - I really, really, REALLY appreciate your help! (AND pray to GOD I don't get potato beetles!!! Eghads!!!)
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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Edited by - Ninibini on Jun 07 2011 09:30:59 AM |
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Turtlemoon
Farmgirl Legend Schoolmarm
378 Posts
Tanya
Port Orchard
Washington
USA
378 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2011 : 07:55:16 AM
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Not sure what they could be. I have made a solution by boiling rhubarb leaves in liquid then spraying plants with the liquid once strained. It is toxic to any bugs and ok to the plants you will later eat. Haven't had any problems since i started this a few years back.
Raggedy Ann stuck in a Barbie Doll World
FarmGirl#1737
http://www.etsy.com/shop/moonhonu |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2011 : 09:32:54 AM
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Tanya - what is the water/rhubarb ratio you use/ That sounds pretty good too... It's okay to humans, too? I had heard that some parts of the rhubarb are very poisonous to humans... If I were to use it on, say, lettuce, would it be okay as long as I rinse well? That's pretty great! Thank you!!! - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2011 : 11:43:58 AM
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yes Nini the rhubarb leaves are very poisonous to humans & animals...like the tomato plant itself...the best way to make a spray is to fill a jar packed with the green leaves & pour boiling water over it until the jar is filled......let set over night for this method ...drain out water into spray bottle & trash the rhubarb leaves...do not put in compost....For a slower method fill jar again with leaves & put in warm/faucet water & let set in sunny window for a few days....covered....this is a good way to always have it on hand during the growing months of your vegs....just make sure after a rain storm or watering the plants you re-apply the spray & get it up under the leaves also...do not use this or tomato plant water on any veg that you are going to eat....just the leafy parts of squash, melons, potatoes ect....as the poison will go into the veg & never use on lettuces, herbs, green onions ect...for those plants mix 1 T dishsoap with warm water & a couple of shots of hot sauce, shake gently & spray on anything you have that is getting bugs like your lettuce, herbs ect.....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
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Garden Gate: Potato help, please? |
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Potato help, please?
