Hey all,
I recently (way later than I'd planned) finished my deer-proof growing enclosure. I transferred my 70+ plants into it about two weeks ago, right before taking the family on vacation. We were gone for a week (I did have somebody watering my plants), and when I returned on Sunday, I noticed that a small percentage of my plants had developed . . . weirdness.
Some of them had new top leaves that looked almost spike-like: long, thing, and curled.
Others had topmost leaves that had filled out, but were thin, veined and parchmentlike, looking just generally tissue thin and unhealthy
Oddest of all, the tops of three of them had stunted new growth, and holes in the leaves. I suspected bugs, but when I looked closely, I realized the holes hadn't been eaten, but rather looked like spots had dried out to the point of tearing, with the edges of the tears curled under and pulling away, making a hole.
I suspected my old and bitter nemesis, aphids, but I couldn't find a single one. I'd think if it was an infestation bad enough to damage plants like that, they'd both be visible AND be on the other plants, but no. I couldn't find ANY type of insect pest, actually, nor obvious mold, fungus, or other crud. And the vast majority of the plants are healthy and hale, with no leaf deformation or damage of any kind. Many are blooming, and some have fruit already. Plants with damage are right next to plants with no issues at all, and the damaged ones are scattered about, not localized in one area (the enclosure is 10' x 20').
So . . .what gives? Anybody have any idea what I'm looking at? More importantly, what do I do about it?
Thanks in advance for the advice,
-Ron
I recently (way later than I'd planned) finished my deer-proof growing enclosure. I transferred my 70+ plants into it about two weeks ago, right before taking the family on vacation. We were gone for a week (I did have somebody watering my plants), and when I returned on Sunday, I noticed that a small percentage of my plants had developed . . . weirdness.
Some of them had new top leaves that looked almost spike-like: long, thing, and curled.
Others had topmost leaves that had filled out, but were thin, veined and parchmentlike, looking just generally tissue thin and unhealthy
Oddest of all, the tops of three of them had stunted new growth, and holes in the leaves. I suspected bugs, but when I looked closely, I realized the holes hadn't been eaten, but rather looked like spots had dried out to the point of tearing, with the edges of the tears curled under and pulling away, making a hole.
I suspected my old and bitter nemesis, aphids, but I couldn't find a single one. I'd think if it was an infestation bad enough to damage plants like that, they'd both be visible AND be on the other plants, but no. I couldn't find ANY type of insect pest, actually, nor obvious mold, fungus, or other crud. And the vast majority of the plants are healthy and hale, with no leaf deformation or damage of any kind. Many are blooming, and some have fruit already. Plants with damage are right next to plants with no issues at all, and the damaged ones are scattered about, not localized in one area (the enclosure is 10' x 20').
So . . .what gives? Anybody have any idea what I'm looking at? More importantly, what do I do about it?
Thanks in advance for the advice,
-Ron
