I grow my zucchini in a tomato cage. This method directs plant growth upward and it keeps more of the plant off the ground. It also helps manage space in the…
Question by Liza: Some animal eating my tomato plants?
the tomatoes plants are now producing tomatoes but recently I’ve noticed that some of the growing tomatoes are half eaten on the stalk and there is black poop on them as well. Does anyone know what kind of animal is it?
But I have been growing tomatoes for couple of years now and this is the first time this has happened.
Best answer:
Answer by seahawk
Tomato worms they will be the same color as the plant so look close.There are usually only one or two per plant. Late afternoon is a great time to look for them as they are just coming out to feed for the night.
What do you think? Answer below!
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Zukes grow really fast. Just start over. Same with squash. As for you other question on tomatoes… you do have time to replant. But if you plant in the same area there is a good chance the disease will take hold. Do you have a picture of the problem leaves?
I tried your method of growing in a tomato cage.I started the plant off in the spring and it worked great except the leaves would bend and brake on the 2nd. level of the cage. I decided to cut the 2nd and 3rd level of the cage off. BAD mistake haha the plant fell flat on the ground and the root system came out also. The plants started wilting fast. I live in zone 8, I replanted it in a pot. Do you think that I can salvage it or should I buy new plants and start over this late in the season?
Thanks!
It grows from tip upward and just rests on cage.
Depends how fast you pick them. 8 inches or so is fine. If you like the the full size you can tie them to cage. Seems odd but it works. If you are getting masses and masses of squash you probably dont need this method as bugs and disease aren’t cutting the plant’s life short. Hopefully that is your area.
Oh….and what keeps the squash from just pushing the cage out of the ground as it grows?
Awesome! But pardon an ignorant question; how do you keep the vines of squashes grown in tomato cages from snapping under the weight of the fruit? I would imagine if a vine is over the wire, as the fruit develops it would put tremendous pressure on the vine. I like to grow spaghetti squash, zucchini, acorn, etc; but worry if I do this I will just have broken vines!
You have plenty of time to restart. The zukes and squash grow really really fast. Especially in a container that gives it room for roots to grow.
Thanks!
aha. thanks
Well my throwing a handful at them probably doesnt help. I usually recommend a tablespoon per gallon. But you could make it 2.
I actually fill up my palm and sprinkle it evenly around the whole plant. Then is water the heck out of it. But dont do that until you get a feel for the amounts.
How much Epsom salt do you recommend for the zucchini? (Don’t want to burn their roots.) Thank you. Enjoying your videos! Good stuff
Yep that is to small. I have container tomato videos. They use 5 gallon buckets. You want at least that size of depth 18 inches or so for zukes. They suck up tons of water and nutrients. They also have to be fed regularly with liquid fertilizer.
In container 3 X 2 feet. about five inches of soil.I planted seeds.What I want to know if is the soil deep enough or should I transplant to a more deep soil?Thanks .
thankyou
They get really big really fast especially after a rain. The smaller ones are more tender and have undeveloped seeds. They are better for salads and raw. As the get bigger the seeds mature and they are a little firmer and make good stir fry and stew vegetables. All depends on your choice.
i am growing squash for the first time this year (very first garden ever; i am 15) and i have several squash growing on it (crook neck) but i just don’t know when to harvest them. Is it possible to harvest too late?
Hmm. How do you mean? Seeds or did you grow transplants. And are you growing them in the ground or in containers?
I just planting my Zucchini they are about 3 inches.How big is the roots of it? I am not sure if I put enough soil .
Yep you got it. Now is good time that it is producing. Every couple weeks is good too. Good luck.
When should I begin my liquid fertilizer? My zucchini plant is very bushy with large leaves, and I believe I will be harvesting my first couple of squash from the plant in the next few days. Would now be a good time to start with the fertilizer every couple of weeks?
Thank you Gary now I know why my baby Zucchini turn yellow.
I know I got knocks for different product. My philosophy is moderation, targeted use and stay away from really bad stuff. Though opens differ on that. Of course I just learned MG comes from Monsanto this year.
Grown vertical seems better to catch the squash beatles. As a organic garden, I strongly against any product from Monsanto,unfortunately, you suggest here to use Miracle to grow our own vegetables. The product is loaded with chemical even it labels as organic.
Is it the plant being eaten? Then it is tomato worms.
Is it the tomatoes being eaten? Then rats may be at work. (not sure what other creatures like tomatoes.
Okay, I had a yellow lab that would steal them off the vine and eat them!
Bet some of the leaves are also missing. You just described (big poop) the tomato horn worm. http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_hfrr/extensn/problems/hornworm.htm
Now the best approach is to find him and squish or other wise dispose. It takes practice to locate them since their camo is perfect.
There is also a tomato fruit worm. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783300111.html
I don’t think this is what you have because they chew into the fruit around the stem and the poop isn’t as evident.
If the damage is to the leaves, and small stems It could be anything from a tomato horn worm to a deer, but a horn worm is one of the few critters that will eat a green tomato. If it is ripe tomatoes being eaten and left on the stem it likely is squirrels or birds.