What could be eating 1/2 of my Hibuscus buds?

Discussion in 'Plant Pests, Diseases and Weeds' started by chris1948, May 3, 2016.

  1. chris1948

    chris1948 Seedling

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    I noticed what's in the photo the other day on one of my Hibiscus. As far as I can see there were only two buds like that none of the others seem touched. Any ideas on what could be the cause?
    DSC05761.jpg
     
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  3. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Snail, slugs or grasshoppers are the usual suspects.
     
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  4. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    Slugs/snails perhaps.

    I also see some notches in the bud over on the left that look sort of like bites done with a bird's beak.
     
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  5. chris1948

    chris1948 Seedling

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    Snails are a huge problem around here. I've never seen them do that though. Could be birds too as you said we've tons of grackles and starlings here. As long as the deer stay away I can live with it.
     
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  6. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    I get damage like that here too Chris and it's usually the starlings that are doing the damage.
     
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  7. chris1948

    chris1948 Seedling

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    That makes sense Eileen, I've got a lot around here including several nests in my trees.
     
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  8. Philip Nulty

    Philip Nulty Strong Ash

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    Hi Chris,..always very hard to figure out what caused damage like that,..though i would point my finger at Birds first,..i tend to have Snails and they can devour a hell of a section of a plant overnight,..i would spray everything,..and i do,..with a home made mix which doesn't harm pets/ Butterflies or Bee's,..like Neem Oil and Water
     
  9. chris1948

    chris1948 Seedling

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    Sounds good Philip, matter of fact I just bought some neem oil extract today to spray on my Oleander seedlings to get rid of the aphids.
     
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  10. Philip Nulty

    Philip Nulty Strong Ash

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    Its fantastic stuff,..i first started to use it on my roses now everything gets a spray of it.
     

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