The plants look healthy. That caterpillar is a budworm. If they're present when the buds are out, check for a "bullet hole" in each pod. Discard the ones with a hole.
Bob
Bob
Tom in Baccyville TN 2012
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Tom_in_TN
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OK, LOUSY BUDWORMS....I really do not want to use pesticides on my plants but do not know of an effective organic killer.
I have been patrolling the patch and will continue to do so. The bloom heads could be clipped and most of them can be removed that way. To attempt to pick all of them off isn't realistic because they are difficult to spot and there are lots of plants.
I found them on PA Red and other bloom heads and have been keeping those clipped/suckered. The reason I wanted to leave the bloom heads on these 2 varieties is because I remember reading they help keep the leaves milder and more delicious. Also, I'm picking spent blossoms to save for smoking later on.
Will checked the bagged blossom heads for budworms and holes in the pods.
Thanks for the help.
I have been patrolling the patch and will continue to do so. The bloom heads could be clipped and most of them can be removed that way. To attempt to pick all of them off isn't realistic because they are difficult to spot and there are lots of plants.
I found them on PA Red and other bloom heads and have been keeping those clipped/suckered. The reason I wanted to leave the bloom heads on these 2 varieties is because I remember reading they help keep the leaves milder and more delicious. Also, I'm picking spent blossoms to save for smoking later on.
Will checked the bagged blossom heads for budworms and holes in the pods.
Thanks for the help.
Tom_in_TN
Well-Known Member
Hey, never researched BT but is it a organic type of fungus, virus or whatever that infects the caterpillars?
What's the best method to apply it, mix with water and spray?
Does it stay on the leaf, or just wash off with the next rain?
Where is the best place to get it, fast, should i decide to do that?
What's the best method to apply it, mix with water and spray?
Does it stay on the leaf, or just wash off with the next rain?
Where is the best place to get it, fast, should i decide to do that?
BT is a virus (I think). Once a bug chews a leaf with BT on it its stomach immediately becomes paralyzed. It dies shortly there after. The best way to apply it is to buy the liquid (comes in powder too) and spray. It degrades within a few days due to the sun. You can order from the internet, or most garden supply stores should sell it. Goes by many different names, Thuracide and/or Dipel are the two that come to mind.
BarG
Founding Member
Tom,
If you get a sprayer bottle that attaches to a garden hose with a dial to regulate teaspoons, tablespoons or ounces per gallon and use the liquid BT concentrate it is easy to apply. I strongly suggest not using any powder form as it will stick to your leaves long past any effectivness. It comes under many different brand names. I used one called thuricide , Just make sure the main ingrediant is Bt. It should cost around 10 bucks for 16 ozs, but I have seen outrageous prices for it.
Great job on your crop this year.
SmokeStack
Well-Known Member
What does BT stand for?
BarG
Founding Member
Baccillus thuringenus. May be spelled wrong but its close. Its also safe for food crops , I use it on my sweet corn also when it starts showing silk.
leverhead
Well-Known Member
I used BT this year, every three days, spraying the bud well. It cured the bud worm problem, it can be allot of work though.
BT stands for Bacillus thurigensis, which is a bacterium. It's completely safe for humans, provided you don't inhale the stuff while spraying.
Bob
Tom_in_TN
Well-Known Member
Thanks to everyone for jumping in here with some help. I went through the patch real well today and it looks like the new growth is clean and no leaf damage. There should be plenty of ootz leaves. They did mangle up a lot of upper leaves, but with about 40 leaves per plant it is not a huge problem. But, moths come in waves and I'm pretty sure I know what the moth looks like and what side of the patch they are coming in on based on where the heaviest damage and lightest damage is located. So, may just get some BT insurance and be prepared.
I've come to the mindset that nicotine makes a great pesticide
I spray with sevin after transplant then leave them alone. It worked for this years grow, but honestly that success was a combination of the strain and what mother nature decided to do this year. Of all my plants one was slow growing and stunted and got infested with little white flies and green eggs or something. Tiny critters. They were just on the top third of the plant so I topped it below that line. Wanna try to do this crop without any cides of any sort.
I spray with sevin after transplant then leave them alone. It worked for this years grow, but honestly that success was a combination of the strain and what mother nature decided to do this year. Of all my plants one was slow growing and stunted and got infested with little white flies and green eggs or something. Tiny critters. They were just on the top third of the plant so I topped it below that line. Wanna try to do this crop without any cides of any sort.Tom_in_TN
Well-Known Member
Smokes, plants high nic levels have a built-in, insect control feature. That is really nice. Now, chemical pesticides? I would urge caution and not use them. I think we are on the same page there as are most of the growers here, so glad to hear your opinion.
Since BT isn't really a pesticide but a biological control I will use it on the Izmir Ozbas, but only if I start seeing damage to the ootz leaves. I am prepared to lose some leaves. Glad the Xanthi Yaka bloomed out early and it did not suffer much damage. In the next 10 days the Izmir will be 80% in bloom and I'll feel a lot safer from the dreaded budworms.
I think Bob pointed out in a past thread that the caterpillars could develop immunity, resistance or something like that to BT if we use it too much. Hopefully if I'm wrong somebody will jump in here with correct info.
Since BT isn't really a pesticide but a biological control I will use it on the Izmir Ozbas, but only if I start seeing damage to the ootz leaves. I am prepared to lose some leaves. Glad the Xanthi Yaka bloomed out early and it did not suffer much damage. In the next 10 days the Izmir will be 80% in bloom and I'll feel a lot safer from the dreaded budworms.
I think Bob pointed out in a past thread that the caterpillars could develop immunity, resistance or something like that to BT if we use it too much. Hopefully if I'm wrong somebody will jump in here with correct info.
Will BT kill any other pests too?
Yes and no. The BT we use for tobacco will only work on caterpillers. If you want to kill Potato Beetles then you need to get the specific strain for Potato Beetles. There is another strain that is used in ponds for mosquitos too
Any updates Tom? How did the cure go, etc.
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