How r they coming along?
1 Like
I didnt comeback yet but my friend found another troubled plant. This time isnt about nutrients, it really seems a bug problem, if you have any clue what it is and how to solve it, I appreciate.
Here’s the trouble plant
Here are the others
Do you recommend using neem oil to repell them?
3 Likes
I’d say give neem a try my guess is it could be grass hopper or a beetle perhaps keep and eye on it for sure could be that the critter took a bite and didn’t care for it at all and won’t be back if it continues I’d get more aggressive with it maybe try some essential oils around the plant .
3 Likes
Neem applied. lets see if it protects them. Probably next week it Will rain again but weather forecast can change at anytime so who knows. For now they are just chilling since we arent adding anything already for over 2 weeks.
2 Likes
Cameback yesterday and went to the spot today. I found out the bug problem is getting much bigger and we’ll need to protect them more or they’ll be all eaten. Just some pics so you can see whats happening.
neem oil applied again and I’m thinking about covering them with a transparent plastic with some holes in the upper part for them to breath. If you have any suggestion, I would highly appreciate it.
More pictures also showing some healthy plants here is the one that had nutrient problems for last, its the forest plant sadly the other seedling died because my friend didnt water it but this one survived and its stretching more to reach more sun
If you any tips to protect the plants or you can identify the cause of this problem (animal/insect that is eating the leaves), I highly appreciate it.
1 Like
Have you checked the leaves for bugs? Check both sides, a loupe or microsope may be helpful if you got any. Check also for slime trails. 
The damage is quite big. Caterpillars maybe? Check the pic here MynameStitch's Guide to Plant Diseases and Nutrient Deficiencies
2 Likes
I was thinking about this: Pine processionary, I think that’s how you call it in english. We have some pines in the area, and it’s common to find them around. Could they be eating the leaves? For now, I didn’t see any and better be careful with them because they can cause some bad allergies. About catterpilars, I didnt see any yet but I can try to find some “spinosad” to repel them but I don’t know how easy it’s to find it in portuguese stores. For other options, I want to avoid chemical insecticides so I would prefer covering them up than using chemicals.
1 Like
You could try bacillus thuringiensis if that is available. Or spray more neem, wait and see if it gets worse. I guess a few damaged leaves are to be expected in the wild. You could also cover them until they are a bit bigger and stronger.
1 Like
Indeed, but it isnt natural to have a plant with such severe damage. The most damaged one had atleast 1 leaf completely eaten and the stem was cut and no signal of it, not even in the ground and also had more leaves with a lot of damage. But I’ll check that bacillus thuringiensis out
2 Likes
I also have biological insectide made with natural pyrethrins and oil of canola seed, this might help too, and about the bacillus thuringiensis, can you show me any product with it so I know what I’m searching for?
2 Likes
That’s a good suggestion of BT I don’t believe it to be cattapillars there slow and hang around ,my guess is grasshopper or beatle sort not sure what your referencing of pine processinary ?
2 Likes
I have not used it myself tbh. But I was planning to get something with pyrethrine myself. I just checked, it also lists caterpillars.
1 Like
Here’s the scientific name Thaumetopoea pityocampa
1 Like
I found out the product you were talking about bacillus thuringiensis but it’s sold out in this site and also on amazon.es so I don’t think I have it available
1 Like
Try a search for “xentari” on amaz*n.es.
2 Likes
I take that back as far as catapillars since I’ve seen those things ! Some species are more motile than others this could be a culprit!
2 Likes
Maybe consider something like tanglefoot? Something you place on around perimeter of plants to trap insects
2 Likes
That product is available, I think I will order some, it’s usually fast to arrive anything from amazon.es
2 Likes
Sounds like a good idea.
2 Likes
The specie I’m used to see, is relatively fast for a catterpillar. I’ve seen them moving around and they seem “fast” and definitly ugly. And I’ll also checkout the tanglefoot, might work to trap them.
2 Likes