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 Post subject: Holes in green Tomatoes
PostPosted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 4:10 pm 
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I noticed the other day that I have a lot of green tomatoes with holes in them.
I am thinking it might be birds.
Any ideas on how to stop this? (Garden is way to big to net it)


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PostPosted: Mon May 06, 2013 5:56 am 
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Big holes, like bird beak size, or smaller pin holes? Pictures?

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PostPosted: Mon May 06, 2013 1:39 pm 
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All sized holes, some of the tomatoes are halve eaten.
I'll try to remember to get some pictures, I usually do not have my phone (camera) with me when I'm out in the garden, and i will just toss the bad ones out into the brush.


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PostPosted: Mon May 06, 2013 6:53 pm 
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Do you see any hornworms on the plants? They hide so well it is tough to find them when they're small. I've had them leave the tomatoes in bad shape.

You probably should go out with a flashlight after dark and sneak up on the garden and see what is up.

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PostPosted: Tue May 07, 2013 6:07 am 
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I did find one chicken toy (horn worm) the other day eating my leaves on a plant, I've been looking for more, but haven't found any yet.
I might mix some BT in with the Garret Juice next weekend.


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PostPosted: Tue May 07, 2013 7:50 am 
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I think BT will help - those hornworms blend in perfectly not only with the color but with their markings. Still, go out at night and take a look by flashlight. That's when a lot of damage is done, when insects are less likely to be detected by their predators.

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PostPosted: Tue May 07, 2013 7:54 am 
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BT will kill any caterpillar that eats on the leaves. The rule is, if you find one hornworm caterpillar you really have 8 more that are hidden.

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PostPosted: Tue May 07, 2013 12:50 pm 
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:lol:

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PostPosted: Tue May 07, 2013 4:45 pm 
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Do you hornworm take a liking to potatoes as well? Noticed this morning some of the leaves have been stripped.

I'll check with a light at night, next chance I can.


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PostPosted: Wed May 08, 2013 9:24 am 
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Tobacco hornworms and tomato hornworms are the larval stages of different species or varieties of sphinx moths. But they aren't exclusive to those plants they're named for. The tobacco/nightshade family includes tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, and more. And these hornworms will devour many members of the family. So yes, your potatoes could be clobbered by hornworms.

I generally find tobacco hornworms in my tomatoes, but I've also pulled them out of peppers. And though it isn't the same plant family, they also eat my ornamental jimson weed/sacred datura. I leave them alone there, since I have no interest in harvesting anything from those plants.

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PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 6:43 am 
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I think it was the redwing black birds that had been tearing up the green tomatoes. I noticed that after the huge flock of them had moved on after a week or two, I have only found a few tomatoes with holes pecked in them.

I have been checking the tomoato plants and haven't found any more horn worms, but I did find some stink bugs (I think), going to check in the bug book (once I find where my helpers hid it) to tend to those pest.


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