Something eating leaves

[Kathleen]

Something is eating the leaves of my young plants..... to the point that they/it has nearly defoliated a few of them.  I saw a Grasshopper on one of them.  Does anybody know what I can use to keep them from eating my plants?

Kathleen

[DavidU]

Hi Kathleen,

I've heard that Monterey Garden Insect Spray with spinosad can help with grasshoppers and Charlie sells this in his care products section.  I believe I may be dealing with grasshoppers as well as I have something chewing large holes in my Rainbow Christie along with chewing the tops off buds (as you can see below) and I've seen grasshoppers on this plant before.

There are of course several other pesticides on the market which can found online as well as suggestions ranging from growing garlic to keeping chickens around to feed which obviously isn't feasible for most of us!

With that said, I'd also love to hear what other tropical hibiscus growers have used to deter these little pests.

[Kyle]

 I have issues with Japanese Beetles eating leaves but they also chew holes in the buds getting ready to open.  They know to chew on the biggest nicest flowers and the hibiscus that are more in the open of the garden.    These beetles are more Midwest, SE USA but may have spread further around the country.   They will devour hibiscus, roses, and fruits and vegetables for farmers.     My beetle season is from June to Labor Day in Ohio and gets worse every summer.     If you use a bait trap bag put it well away from your plants.   Try to keep the bait bag on the other side of your property away from the hibiscus.
I have noticed Japaneses Beetles don't chew big holes in the leaves.   The holes are smaller as if they chew a little and move to other parts of the leaf to chew some more.

David, the holes in your R.C. don't appear to be from Japaneses Beetles because the holes look larger and less of them.  I also like  Monterey Spinosad  5% to  because it had spinosyn A & B in it. 
The grasshoppers by me don't mess with the hibiscus as I have just seen them hang out and not feed. 
 
Kathleen,  I don't know how much 1 grasshopper can eat but it may be  something during the night that feeds on your young plants.  Do you have problems with deer or rabbits in your area?  If you figure out what is eating the leaves you can treat better.
My brother uses a dust powder in his yard that contains peppermint and  garlic that has kept animals from eating his perennials and tuberoses this year.
The Bayer granules that HVH sells works well but we have found it needs to be applied more often than what the directions say for beetles. 
Kyle 

[farmer d]

I will second what Kyle has suggested.  This year I have seen a lot of grasshoppers and katydids more so than usual but we had a very warm and dry winter again so makes sense. 

If you see a hole in the middle of your leaf it is usually grasshoppers whereas if you see leaves eaten up from the outer edge inwards that is usually a caterpillar or worm. 

I end up killing many grasshoppers by hand as I encounter them when taking care of my plants.  I find their remaining skins all over which lets me know to keep looking for them.  Fortunately the 1st three or four stages or growth for them does not provide them wings so they are easy to corner and kill.  I spray my plants periodically but I have observed most seem to come from my neighbor's yards which tells me the hang out there until it is safe to come back...smarter than I would have thought!

Farmer D

[Kathleen]

Thank's for all the help every one.  Still don't know what is eating my plants, but the leaves are being eaten from the edge in.  It is even happening to the plants That I moved onto a screened in porch so I know it isn't an animal.  I got up at 4:30 this morning and went out to look at them.  I saw Geckos and a couple of slugs on the leaves, but I didn't think either of these would eat vegetation.  Even so, what could I use to keep these pests off the plants?

I have had a really hard time this summer.  First sunburn or fertilizer burn.  Then root rot from the flood situation in July and August and now this.  Out of 22 plants I have had only about a half dozen blooms all season.  Frankly, I'm ready to give up.  I'm open to any and all suggestions.

Kathleen

[Kyle]

Kathleen,
Notice how observant Farmer D is and taking mental notes, signs, and clues to what ever pest may be lurking on  or around his hibiscus.   I also spend time looking under leaves feeling and observing my hibiscus and ecosystem they bring.    I'm checking on a daily basis and doing something everyday to fight the battle with pest.    I have a whole arsenal of different things to use against pest.  The best I found is kill pest in live action and follow the directions very closely, and measure out concentrate exactly.    Some products work better if you treat multiple times on a special schedule.
You noticed a slug and lizard and that's an excellent observation.  The patio lizards usually don't mess with plants they are good guys.    Slugs on the other hand can be a serious problem.   They come out at night in numbers and eat vegetation.    Slugs and snails leave a sticky trail so looks for trail marks.   They like damp or dark places during the day like under wood, rocks, out of sight.   Check your surrounds for possible hiding spots.     If you can elevate your hibiscus off the ground on like a stand or bench and keep them off the ground it will help.       I'm sorry that things have not gone your way and imagine how frustrating it can be.   I think you may benefit from using the Houseplant formula like I do on my outdoor hibiscus.  Houseplant Fertilizer is a stress reducer and blooming formula.  The super clean formula will help prevent the roots from rotting.  One last thing, the potting media is very important and if your conditions favor rain you can use a peat moss based  potting mix.    Young hibiscus grow very well in 6" pots before they are  big enough to be transplanted.   
Kyle