What eats Sunflowers?

jenjehle 5/23/2010, 9:36 am

I planted sunflowers Thursday, they were all chewed up with only the stem left 24 hours later!

Anyone know what eats Sunflowers? I sprinkled some Seven around the area, mainly b/c they aren't for consumption, just for looks, so the chemicals don't bother me. But just wondering if anyone knows what in particular likes to eat them?

Thanks!

nancy 5/23/2010, 12:43 pm

squirrels!!!! Mine are the devil. They eat seedlings and they sit on the fence and chew large stalks, too. Last year I wrapped my largest sunflower stalks with cloth so the squirrels couldn't get at them. Also try sprinkling cayanne pepper - they don't like it.

jenjehle 5/23/2010, 5:41 pm

I guess it could be squirrels! But I just don't see any over in that area of our yard, ever! Now all the sudden, lots of my newly planted veggies are being eaten like crazy. And they are the only things that aren't protected with bird netting... UGH! Almost all of my squash, mellons and flowers planted in my newest beds are being munched on. I was hoping I wouldn't have to use the netting but maybe I will.

Thanks for the help. Any other thoughts?? Just let me know!

dmpower 5/23/2010, 7:00 pm

I have a lot of rabbits!! For my new seedlings and transplants, I cut the top and bottom off of clear soda bottles, then made a slice up the side. I placed these over the seedlings to protect them till they got a bit stronger, then either pulled the plastic over the plant, or opened the plastic along the slice and removed it from the larger plant. It worked very well on several of my vegetables

jenjehle 5/23/2010, 7:41 pm

I have seen a lot of runny babbits too in my area! Maybe that's what it is. But I have 2 dogs who go CRAZY when they see one (or more)! My gardens are outside of my privacy fence; on the side of my house. So if the rabbits were over by my gardens, the dogs couldn't get to them. Rabbits and birds are why I put the little fencing and bird netting over my first 3 beds (my hubby just added 3 more that run along my house and they are not protected... yet).

Here's a picture of my newest 3 boxes before I put the soil in them.

I'm trying to think of something to do that is similar to your clear soda bottles since I don't have any of those. I guess I could use milk cartons.

jenjehle 5/31/2010, 12:05 am

Here's the latest picture of my poor sunflower plants Sad

The tallest one, in the middle, has fallen forward. Almost as if to say "I've given up..." So sad. Wish I could figure out what's taking bites out of the leaves and find a way to stop it!

Thanks for any help!

Chopper 5/31/2010, 12:10 am

You're sure it's not snails/slugs?

jtwenting 5/31/2010, 1:17 am

The damage looks consistent with slugs.
I had very similar damage to my paprika and lettuce last year, and caught a lot of the critters.
Some "ecofriendly" slug pellets took care of that (as in biodegradable, still quite poisonous to the intended target).

Icemaiden 5/31/2010, 5:35 am

You could try putting half an empty grapefruit out and see if any slugs crawl in over night.

**camprn** 5/31/2010, 7:54 am

Slugs is my guess. Give the middle plant a small stake for help. Please plant some more Sunflowers, they are such happy flowers, and try the dish of beer for the slimy slugs. Good luck.

Megan 5/31/2010, 7:59 am

Hmm. Do slugs like lima bean leaves? SOMETHING is tearing up my limas, but leaving my other beans (and plants) alone, for the most part.

jenjehle 5/31/2010, 10:59 am

Chopper wrote:You're sure it's not snails/slugs?

Nope, I'm not sure about anything, except SOMETHING is chewing them up! I just didn't think about the slugs b/c I didn't see the typical slime trails.

Would insecticidal soap work? I'm trying to think of something I already have at home and not have to go out and buy anything else. I did sprinkle cayenne pepper around the area and some Seven; since they are outside of my my veggie boxes I wasn't to worried about chemicals.

If it is slugs, I just don't know very much about them or how to deter them. I will try the beer but I don't have any grapefruit.... would an orange work?

Thanks for the ideas! Keep them coming!

Icemaiden 5/31/2010, 11:07 am

jenjehle wrote:If it is slugs, I just don't know very much about them or how to deter them. I will try the beer but I don't have any grapefruit.... would an orange work?
Thanks for the ideas! Keep them coming!

An orange should work too - cut it in half and scoop out most of the flesh with a spoon, so there is a bit left in as bait. Put it cut side down on the garden. If you have slugs then they should crawl in over night.

Good luck What eats Sunflowers? Icon_smile

Chopper 5/31/2010, 11:44 am

There are lots of home remedies for slugs and snails and I have never found any of them to be effective except to go out and night and kill all the snails you see. Slugs are harder. Slug and snail bait is the only other thing that has ever worked for me and my beans were being decimated by them. I hate to use it, but I am also not willing to let them eat up the whole garden.

**camprn** 5/31/2010, 11:46 am

jenjehle wrote:If it is slugs, I just don't know very much about them or how to deter them. Thanks for the ideas! Keep them coming![/size]

We used to put boards down in the row garden, leaving a bit of space under them. When daylight is approaching the slugs hightail it for cooler shaded moist areas. They think that under the board is a perfect area. Just turn the board over in the morning and collect the slugs. Same principal applies to the inverted 1/2 grapefruit.
see this link for natural slug control.

Icemaiden 5/31/2010, 1:40 pm

Thanks camprn. The watering in the morning is certainly worth doing. I am guilty of watering when I think about it but I might change my habits now What eats Sunflowers? Icon_lol

jenjehle 5/31/2010, 9:37 pm

I think I'm going to try putting a few boards out. Or I wonder if cardboard would do the same thing if I can't find boards? Anyway, I will def. try it. I did put a ring of coffee grounds all around them in a circle. Along with sprinkling cayenne pepper on the leaves. Not sure if things are better today or now. I'm in NE Indiana and we had rain almost all day! So my grass and gardens are water-logged. No watering necessary here for a few days!

Thanks again!

jenjehle 6/14/2010, 12:21 am

Got 'um!!!! It felt good getting rid of this one, even if it was only ONE Smile

Let's just say he won't be bothering anyone any longer! I bought some Diatomateous Earth and sprinkled it all over my garden area; hoping that takes care of any and all little pests that come my way!

1chichi 6/14/2010, 9:15 am

Grasshoppers and flea beatle are eating sunflower leaves. Overnight, I can see their damage.
I sprayed w/ Neem, but I guess every leaf isn't coated w/ it and they still manage to chomp on some.

jenjehle 6/14/2010, 11:14 am

That is a SLUG in the center of both pictures I attached above. But he's no longer able to bother my plants Smile

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What eats Sunflowers?

What eats Sunflowers?

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Squirrels?

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Still needing help!!

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Natural slug control

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Love the boards idea!

Caught in the act!

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