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Baby’s breath, or Gypsophila, is an important crop for specialty cut-flower farmers. Popular for their use as filler in cut-flower arrangements, baby’s breath plants have also made their way into home flower gardens. With their large, airy growth habit, it is easy to see why many growers choose baby’s breath when wishing to make a profound statement in the garden. Like any plant, however, there are many garden pests that may prevent baby’s breath plants from reaching their full potential. Read on to learn more about insects on Gypsophila plants.
Though invasive in some places, baby’s breath plants are not impervious to damage that can be done by insects in the garden. Pests of baby’s breath plants can cause both failure of bloom, as well as complete collapse of the plant if young or not yet well established.
As with any plant in the flower garden, when identifying Gypsophila plant pests, it is imperative that growers are able to distinguish between beneficial and nuisance insects. You should begin looking for insects on Gypsophila before the plants begin to show signs of damage. This can be done by inspecting the plants on a weekly basis.
Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata) is a dainty flowering plant beloved for its airy, cloud-like blooms. However, these delicate plants are susceptible to damage from cutworms – voracious caterpillars that can quickly defoliate and even kill baby’s breath. Here’s a comprehensive guide on identifying, preventing, and getting rid of cutworms on baby’s breath plants using natural, organic methods.
What are Cutworms?
Cutworms are the larvae of various moth species in the Noctuidae family. They are plump, smooth caterpillars that come in shades of gray, brown, black or mottled colors. During the day, cutworms hide in soil or plant debris near the base of plants. At night, they emerge to feed, climbing up stems and chewing through plants. A cutworm infestation can destroy a baby’s breath plant within days.
Signs of cutworm damage on baby’s breath include:
- Stems are chewed through and plants are severed at soil level
- Young seedlings disappear overnight
- Leaves have ragged, irregular holes chewed through them
- Cutworms found curled up near damaged plants during day
Preventing Cutworm Damage
Here are some organic, non-toxic ways to help deter cutworms and prevent damage to baby’s breath plants:
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Remove hiding spots – Clear away weeds, mulch, and debris near plants that provide shelter for cutworms
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Use physical barriers – Place cardboard collars, plastic cups, or aluminum foil around seedlings and stems to block cutworm access.
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Attract natural predators – Birds, beneficial insects like ground beetles and parasitic wasps prey on cutworms.
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Practice crop rotation – Change planting locations each season to disrupt egg-laying cycles,
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Maintain healthy soil – Cutworms thrive in compacted, poor soil. Aerate and enrich soil with compost regularly.
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Check new transplants – Inspect root balls and soil for signs of larvae before planting.
Get Rid of Cutworms Naturally
If cutworms have already infested baby’s breath plants, here are some effective organic control methods:
Manual Removal
Handpick cutworms from plants and soil. Search for curled up caterpillars near damaged plants. Drop them into soapy water to kill. Go out at night with a flashlight to catch them in the act of feeding. Check under mulch and low-growing foliage.
Natural Pesticides
Make organic sprays to deter and kill cutworms:
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Neem oil – This botanical insecticide disrupts the molting process and acts as a repellent.
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Insecticidal soap – Spray on plants to penetrate soft cutworm bodies.
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Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) – This biological insecticide specifically targets caterpillars when they ingest it. Safe for humans and beneficial insects.
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Garlic-chili spray – Blend garlic cloves and hot peppers with a bit of soap and water. Spray plants and soil.
Beneficial Insects
Release predators like nematodes, ground beetles, spiders, and parasitic wasps into your garden. They will help control cutworm populations.
Traps
Create traps to catch cutworms at night:
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Wrap stems loosely with aluminum foil smeared with vegetable oil. Cutworms get stuck while climbing.
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Make cardboard collars taller than plants and smear insides with petroleum jelly.
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Place wooden boards near plants at night. Check in morning for hiding cutworms.
Recognizing Other Baby’s Breath Pests
While cutworms are a major pest, other bugs can also attack baby’s breath. Monitor plants closely to identify problems early.
Aphids
Tiny, pear-shaped, soft-bodied insects that cluster on stems and undersides of leaves. Can spread viruses. Secrete sticky honeydew.
Spider Mites
Tiny spiders that form webs on leaves. Cause stippling damage. Leaves turn yellow and dry out.
Whiteflies
Tiny white flying insects that flock to undersides of leaves. Cause yellowing with their sap-sucking. Secrete sticky honeydew.
Thrips
Slender insects that rasp and feed on leaves and petals. Cause silver scarring on leaves. Stunt growth.
Caterpillars
Larvae of butterflies and moths that voraciously chew on leaves. Some species are cutworms. Defoliate plants.
Maintaining Plant Health
The best defense against pests like cutworms is cultivating strong, healthy baby’s breath plants. Here are some tips:
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Plant in well-draining, nutrient rich soil. Avoid wet, dense soil.
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Water deeply and allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Fertilize lightly with organic balanced fertilizer.
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Prune old flowers and stems to encourage new growth.
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Provide good air circulation and sunlight.
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Monitor for signs of stress, disease, and pests.
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Remove and destroy heavily infested, dying foliage.
Cutworms can wreak havoc on delicate baby’s breath, but there are many organic options to get these pests under control, ranging from beneficial insects to homemade sprays. Combining preventative cultural practices and early intervention using natural methods can help protect baby’s breath from cutworm damage. Always take an integrated pest management approach focused on growing strong, healthy plants to create an environment unappealing to destructive pests like cutworms.
Leafhoppers on Baby’s Breath Plants
While there are quite a few bugs that eat baby’s breath, one of the most common and more serious are leafhoppers. Adult leafhoopers are small green-yellow bugs with black spots, while leafhopper nymphs are smaller and appear lighter in color.
These Gypsophila plant pests are a common pest to other flowers in the garden too, such as asters. In fact, these leafhoppers are responsible for the spread of an infection called aster yellows. Aster yellows is a disease that can cause the yellowing and loss of the baby’s breath plants.
Damage from leafhoppers and other baby’s breath pests may first present as small yellow or white spots on the foliage of the plant. Eventually, the damaged leaves will fall from the plant.
While the presence of leafhoppers may not be able to be prevented, gardeners can take measures to help avoid infestation.
Cutworms- How to prevent and control it
FAQ
What is the best treatment for cutworms?
How to naturally get rid of cutworms?
How do you protect plants from cutworms?
Will soapy water kill cutworms?
How do I get rid of cutworms in my garden?
A wash of bleach-free dish soap and water on your plants can also help to stop cutworms from attacking the plants. Another approach is the use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a naturally occurring bacterium that target many caterpillar-type pests. It can be an effective and environmentally friendly way to treat cutworms in the garden.
How do you get rid of cutworm moths?
Destroy any infected plant matter by burning it or bagging it and throwing it in the trash. When spring arrives, rotate your crops and consider installing floating row covers to prevent cutworm moths from landing on vulnerable veggies and laying their eggs. 2. Handpick cutworms.
How do I fend off cutworms?
Here are a few other tips to help fend off cutworms: • Try delaying plant transplantation or planting, if possible, for a few weeks, to try to starve the hungry larvae. • Remove weeds and plant debris from your yard to try to reduce the sites in which the moths lay their eggs.
How do you prevent cutworms?
Taking out weeds and early planting also help to prevent cutworm infestations. Picking up plant detritus is another good option since the eggs that hatch into cutworms are laid on dead plant material. If you follow up prevention with careful monitoring, you are on your way to limiting cutworm damage.