Seedlings are being eaten.

Grannys_Garden · February 28, 2017

Hello everyone,

I grow my seedlings every year with no problems. This year however, I am experiencing the tops of my seedlings being eaten off as soon as the leaves appear.

I make my own seedling mix. This year I was forced to make a change to my mix. I could not find regular compost and instead substituted mushroom compost.

Have any of you had this problem? or do you have any idea what is eating the tops off my seedlings.

Thanks

KarenO · February 28, 2017

where are you growing them, mice will do it, so will cats
KarenO

Grannys_Garden · February 28, 2017

No cats or mice. I am starting them in an incubating station in my basement. I have been starting them here for several years.

Starlight · February 28, 2017

If you don't have cats or mice, you might have a slug or snail munching away at night that was in your soil mix.

Grannys_Garden · February 28, 2017

I have been watching for them. Because I need to replant most of my plants. I am going to change the compost again. I am bummed. I lost 43 out of 50 plants.

ddsack · February 28, 2017

I would still suspect mice. I have a cat and still get an occasional mouse in the house that can hide out for a while. You might want to bait a trap with peanut butter and set it near the seedling area just to be sure one isn't coming around checking at night.

Jimbotomateo · February 28, 2017

I have snail problems but that's probably too much loss for snail. Sneaky mouse. Hope you get him.

**carolyn137** · February 28, 2017

Please consider fungus gnats if you have any house plants in your home. That's what caused the same problem for me.

https://www.google.com/search?q=gnat...to+seedlings&*

Please notice the links at Tomatoville as well as Garden Web,etc.

Just another suggestion.

Carolyn

Grannys_Garden · February 28, 2017

I had baited mouse traps when I found the first few chewed off. Hubby set up mouse traps around all of my trays. Thanks Dee

Carolyn, that is why I am going to change to a different compost. I think it must be some kind of bug. Thank you for the Internet information.

gardeninglee · March 1, 2017

I had pill bugs eat several of mine last year. They left just the stem in place. I moved my seedlings to a different location and spread diatomaceous earth around the area I moved them to to keep them away.

February 28, 2017	#1
Grannys_Garden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Iowa Posts: 6	Seedlings are being eaten. Hello everyone, I grow my seedlings every year with no problems. This year however, I am experiencing the tops of my seedlings being eaten off as soon as the leaves appear. I make my own seedling mix. This year I was forced to make a change to my mix. I could not find regular compost and instead substituted mushroom compost. Have any of you had this problem? or do you have any idea what is eating the tops off my seedlings. Thanks

February 28, 2017	#6
ddsack Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern Minnesota - zone 3 Posts: 3,231	I would still suspect mice. I have a cat and still get an occasional mouse in the house that can hide out for a while. You might want to bait a trap with peanut butter and set it near the seedling area just to be sure one isn't coming around checking at night. __________________ Dee **************

February 28, 2017	#8
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	Please consider fungus gnats if you have any house plants in your home. That's what caused the same problem for me. https://www.google.com/search?q=gnat...to+seedlings&* Please notice the links at Tomatoville as well as Garden Web,etc. Just another suggestion. Carolyn __________________ Carolyn

February 28, 2017	#2
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,931	where are you growing them, mice will do it, so will cats KarenO

February 28, 2017	#4
Starlight Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: AL Posts: 1,993	If you don't have cats or mice, you might have a slug or snail munching away at night that was in your soil mix.

February 28, 2017	#7
Jimbotomateo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Santa Maria California Posts: 1,014	I have snail problems but that's probably too much loss for snail. Sneaky mouse. Hope you get him.

March 1, 2017	#10
gardeninglee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2016 Location: West Los Angeles Posts: 203	I had pill bugs eat several of mine last year. They left just the stem in place. I moved my seedlings to a different location and spread diatomaceous earth around the area I moved them to to keep them away.