Damage Control

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, writeone. This user is located in Orlando, FL; Zone 9B. This was originally posted on March 19, 2012.

Shotgun holes in my eggplant and beet leaves appear to be the work of flea beetles. I've not see the bug itself, just the results.

Is there something that will control them without harming beneficial insects? So far, I've not found it in my research.

I got the green peach aphids managed with neem oil spray and manual smashing.

Now a black mildew looking stuff is forming on my pepper leaves. I can't find any online picture of pepper diseases that match what I'm seeing.

I sprayed the neem oil then about 4 days later sprayed spinosad on them. That was Saturday. Sunday morning, I noticed the black.

I was planning to use a liquid copper fungicide on them, but I wanted to confirm the issue. And determine whether it's too soon to use copperafter the spinosad? Now I'm wondering whether the black is a bad reaction to the sprays.

Any comments or suggestions on this would be great.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist, over 45 years in the business. The EarthBox Hero Member, kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4. This was originally posted on March 19, 2012.

As far as the black on the peppers, I would look closely at the stems and underside of the leaves for an aphid infestation (or another insect) usually the black is a mold or mildew growing on top of the insect "honeydew" / secretions.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, writeone. This user is located in Orlando, FL; Zone 9B. This was originally posted on March 19, 2012.

I've been keeping watch, and yes, there has been past aphids there. But I check twice a day and kill them by squashing them. That was after the first spray with neem. The plants are still small enough for me to manage that way.

And maybe theres' been a thrip or two. (do thrips cause similar issues?)

But, I can't find any pictures on-line supporting what I'm seeing. All the ones on line describing the common plant diseases are showing a spotted pattern.

I've not checked the peppers yet today, but were no spots yesterday. Imagine black powdered sugar  coating some parts of the leaves with a thin covering.

I have the plants in a windy and sandy area, I wonder if fine dirt particles are sticking to the honey due. I'll see if I can wash it off with water.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on March 19, 2012.

Aphids give off a sticky substance called honeydew. It molds, so the black stuff you see is a result of the honeydew. Get rid of the aphids and it will go away.

Factoid:  Ants are attracted to the honeydew, and will actually herd aphids to the plant so they can farm the product. See any ants?

Mickie

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, writeone. This user is located in Orlando, FL; Zone 9B. This was originally posted on March 19, 2012.

OK, I'll keep watch for the aphids.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, BronxBaby. This user is located in Bronx, NY Zone 7a. This was originally posted on March 19, 2012.

Let me also mention the use of "APHID CHASERS".  They are little round disc the disperse pheromones to stop the colonizing of aphids.  I've been using them instead of oils and sprays along with another little disc that uses pheromones that draw ladybugs to your garden.  They last for 3 months at a time.  When I started, I would water spray my plants to wash off the buggers and then set the disc out.  Within a week or so, the colonies had lessen due to the ladybugs feasting and the pheromones from the chasers confusing them.  I'm also big on mixing in a few flowers that attract the buggers like nasturtium.  MAN!!! do they race to them.  I've seen them leave my daisies and walk over to the  nasturtiums.  That's where you'll also find lacewings resting and laying eggs.  I use every natural means necessary to keep them at bay.  Good luck with your war!

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, writeone. This user is located in Orlando, FL; Zone 9B. This was originally posted on March 19, 2012.

that's new to me. where do you buy them?

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, BronxBaby. This user is located in Bronx, NY Zone 7a. This was originally posted on March 19, 2012.

You can find them at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Springstar-Aphid-Chaser/dp/B0002J6E5O

http://www.amazon.com/Springstar-Lady-Bug-Lure-S702/dp/B000HHLUP0/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1332186232&sr=1-1-catcorr

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, writeone. This user is located in Orlando, FL; Zone 9B. This was originally posted on March 20, 2012.

I'll give them a try. Now to figure out what to do about flea beetles. What is the control for them that is least harmful to the beneficials?

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on March 20, 2012.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, writeone. This user is located in Orlando, FL; Zone 9B. This was originally posted on March 20, 2012.

I'll give them a try. Now to figure out what to do about flea beetles. What is the control for them that is least harmful to the beneficials?

The only plants that are hit with flea beetles are my eggplants. I use rotenone dust on the leaves and that helps. My other plants are usually large enough that any flea beetle damage is negligible and can be ignored.

Mickie

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, grandmamac. This user is located in Zone 7 near Ediburgh, Scotland. This was originally posted on March 20, 2012.

I've heard an organic gardener say he uses a bit of cardboard with one side painted with treacle. He brushes the edges of the leaves, the beetles jump off and stick on the cardboard. Then he gives it to his chickens who pick of the beetles.

I tend to ignore the holes; it's usually only the seedling stage that's affected. I tolerate imperfection and celebrate the rare occasions I achieve a perfect vegetable/fruit.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, writeone. This user is located in Orlando, FL; Zone 9B. This was originally posted on March 20, 2012.

The affected plants are about 3 - 4" tall. I read flea beetles can kill plants, thus my concern. It's rare that I see a flea beetle, but the only damage patterns I found on-line similar to mine are from flea beetles. One curious thing, it the damage seems limited to a couple of leaves on each affected plant. The other leaves on most of the plants are beautiful and healthy. If appearance is the only down side, I can live with that. I'm concerned about catching the problem before it grows to a bad problem.