Stem borers

TZ-OH6 · July 9, 2008

My three mystery Potatoleaf plants from Anna Russian seeds have stem borers {go figure, the only three out of 60 plants}. I read that there is not much I can do with pesticides, but one site mentioned slitting up through the stem with a razor blade to kill the worm and then binding/ taping the stem to hold it together. Has anyone tried this?

gssgarden · July 9, 2008

How do you know? Can you see them? I never had them before.

Greg

outsiders71 · July 9, 2008

BT is used to kill squash borers. Also I would try getting your handles on a needle of some sort and just poke the worms. No need to slit.

piegirl · July 9, 2008

TZ - this problem has shown up on my plants last year and this year. I have posted my solution - carefully check the stems - there may be two holes - the entry hole and another one usually higher up the stem. My solution - a long straight pin - like a quilt pin or sewing pin. I stuck the pin in the hole and gently, lightly moved the pin around. Try inserting the pin upward and then downward. Goo kinda comes out when you hit the little bugger. My plants recovered nicely. Piegirl

TZ-OH6 · July 10, 2008

How did I know? One plant had a wilted top branch on the side above the hole so I took a close look for trouble. The hole was an inch or two above the ground and had green material coming out of it. Green goop = "frass" = caterpillar poop.

I tried a needle, but the holes were too deep/long so I'll go ahead and take an X-acto knife to them today.

July 9, 2008	#1
TZ-OH6 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mid-Ohio Posts: 847	Stem borers My three mystery Potatoleaf plants from Anna Russian seeds have stem borers {go figure, the only three out of 60 plants}. I read that there is not much I can do with pesticides, but one site mentioned slitting up through the stem with a razor blade to kill the worm and then binding/ taping the stem to hold it together. Has anyone tried this?

July 9, 2008	#2
gssgarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,821	How do you know? Can you see them? I never had them before. Greg

July 9, 2008	#3
outsiders71 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 150	BT is used to kill squash borers. Also I would try getting your handles on a needle of some sort and just poke the worms. No need to slit.

July 9, 2008	#4
piegirl Tomatovillian™ Honoree Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 791	TZ - this problem has shown up on my plants last year and this year. I have posted my solution - carefully check the stems - there may be two holes - the entry hole and another one usually higher up the stem. My solution - a long straight pin - like a quilt pin or sewing pin. I stuck the pin in the hole and gently, lightly moved the pin around. Try inserting the pin upward and then downward. Goo kinda comes out when you hit the little bugger. My plants recovered nicely. Piegirl

July 10, 2008	#5
TZ-OH6 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mid-Ohio Posts: 847	How did I know? One plant had a wilted top branch on the side above the hole so I took a close look for trouble. The hole was an inch or two above the ground and had green material coming out of it. Green goop = "frass" = caterpillar poop. I tried a needle, but the holes were too deep/long so I'll go ahead and take an X-acto knife to them today.