emceeNOLA
Just Arrived
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject: help for a new tomato gardener |
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My tomato plants are large, thick and green. They bloom and fruit grows. But once it gets a little larger, something is attacking it. Here are my photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariecarianna/2542664910/ I look and look for bugs, but don't see any. I wrapped them against birds, so I know it isn't that. I have only gotten one to redden without this problem. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I definitely do not want to use any chemical sprays. Thanks
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gardenmama
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 26 May 2008
Location: Vermont
Posts: 376
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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Looks like what happened to some of my plants last summer...the EVIL Horned tomato worm...they are large and green with colorful spots. Some nights half of a tomato will be eaten. You can use a sprinkle for tomato plants to keep the bugs off but I hate poison. My local plant hut gave me this tip...2 tbls of tabasco sauce mixed into a liter spray bottle..spray the plants...they hate the hot of the tabasco...Also look for the smaller larva under the leaves...clean it off...I tend to cut back the leaves so that the bugs are easier to find. I hope this helps..
Here is a link to a page about the horned worm:
http://organicgardensite.com/bugs-harmful/tomato-horn-worms/
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Quietly Awesome
On The Way Up
Joined: 07 Jul 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 62
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:41 pm Post subject: |
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Pesky little buggers! Carefull when you step on them, they'll squirt ya. lol Keep an eye out for ones that look like they are carrying larve on their backs. Looks like rice. Dont kill those! I cant remember exactly what the "rice" is called, but when they hatch, they (the "rice") will attack the tomato worms. 
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emceeNOLA
Just Arrived
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:49 pm Post subject: a different culprit! |
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Thanks for answering so quickly. After you did, I went outside determined to find the little creeps. Lo and behold - I found a different caterpillar. Pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariecarianna/2543219452/
Do you know what they are? Better question - now that they are there, how do I safely destroy them?
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gardenmama
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 26 May 2008
Location: Vermont
Posts: 376
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 11:20 pm Post subject: |
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I would really give the spray of diluted hot sauce a try...you might try and pick as many of those buggers off that you can find first...all those horrible caterpillars love to eat the tomatoes. If they would only eat the leaves...no they are drawn to the fruit. 
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