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Neighbour allotment’s greenhouse tomatoes have suffered 3 deaths in the same area of the greenhouse, inspection suggests something gnawing the stems BELOW the surface (see photo). No obvious signs of rodents, tunnels or insects other than a few ants. Who’s the culprit and what’s the solution, please?
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Cutworms, will chew or drill through just below if its dry or above if its wet. Up to 1-1/2 inches long. Black, gray, or mottled caterpillars. a single cutworm found curled up beneath soil surface orat base of damaged plant. -
American site on cutworm, but it gives you the gistAll gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.Comment
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Three deaths in the greenhouse!
That will be Colonel Mustard with the lead pipe then
Could even be Mr Slug with the munchies!
Slugs attack my tomato plants when first planted out, even though hardened off, the stems and leaves are very tender. I think after a while the plants become too tough for them as they seem to leave the plants alone!Comment
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I've once or twice lost toms to slugs/snails attacking right at the base. It's *really* annoying, particularly as they tend to do just enough to kill it, but then lose interest.Garden Grower
Twitter: @JacobMHoweComment
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I had a very similar problem on brassicas last year, turned out to be earwigs."Orinoco was a fat lazy Womble"
Please ignore everything I say, I make it up as I go along, not only do I generally not believe what I write, I never remember it either.Comment
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I just lost a pumpkin that was gnawed straight through below the soil. Still no idea what caused it - there was nothing lurking in the soil or on the plant. Hopefully whatever it is will have wandered off by the time my minis go out!
Your neighbours have my sympathy though, it is so annoying when you don;t even get a chance to fight whatever the invader is!Comment
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