Holes in my petunias

Question

I planted my petunias about a week now, & something is eating holes in the flower. In the pot I also have a mum planted.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

The holes look like a worm of sort. Spray them down with insecticidal soap on top and below the leaves and the surrounding soil.Petunias are very prone to worms.

MN Mom · Answer

If only one bloom is affected, are you certain its infested with something? I've gardened for decades and if I had a flower like this I would pinch it back. If other flowers then get holes, I would seek advice at the nursery where I bought the plants before using a pesticide.

Phyllis Decker · Answer

Last year I had some in planters and the Japensese Beetles ate them.

Donna · Answer

We had the same issue last year with impatients. We discovered ants were the culprit and just scattered ant killer granules down. Problem solved. You will need to pinch off the affected flowers though.

Mary Thorne · Answer

Could also be a tobacco budworm.

Kathleen · Answer

I love petunias, they are beautiful but cut worms love them too. Every year they start out perfectly then just as they become showstoppers the cutworms move in. I would pull dozens off every night and even used Sevin but I don't like using poison on flowers around children. Sevin didn't stop them anyway. I believe they come infested when purchased. My answer is stop planting them like I did.

MN Mom · Answer

Another flower that has a similar look is calibrochia or 'Million Bells'. You could try that flower purchased from a different nursery and give it a try.

Donna · Answer

Looks to me like slugs have done the damage. Put slug bait on the surface of the soil in the pot. Or you can try crushed egg shells ...those are supposed to deter slugs too, but the bait will kill them.

Leslie Hirsch · Answer

I would say slugs. Is there shiny streaks on your flowers too? If so its slugs for sure.

Linda · Answer

Grey Pill bug. When u touch it they go into a round pill form.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Petunias are well known for worms.

Fran McCarty · Answer

Looks like slugs. Place crushed egg shells around the base of the flowers.

BlestMama · Answer

It’s green worms. Look close and you will see them or their tiny little black spec-like droppings stuck to the leaves. They hide inside the unopened buds (you will see holes chewed through them too). We get them every year. They are from the moths. My son and I go out once each day hunting for and squishing them. I deadhead the flowers then too.

Holes in my petunias

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Holes in my petunias

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