Nasturtium - Eggs, what to do?

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by AntoniaKrz, Jul 7, 2018.

  1. AntoniaKrz

    AntoniaKrz Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2018
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Leeds, UK
    Ratings:
    +6
    Hi all! (This is my first post on this forum! :))

    I have recently got into plants. I decided to sew some seeds to start with, which is how I got my Nasturtiums. They have been doing fantastic - apart from noticing today they have two types of eggs on them! Of course, I do not want my young plants to be destroyed by millions of leaf eating caterpillars. At the same time I am a wildlife fanatic, so figuring out what to do is difficult for me. I guess the main thing at the moment is to allow my Nasturtiums to flourish and grow well, so I guess that means getting rid of the eggs. So how do I do that? I have three plants with what I believe to be Cabbage White Butterfly eggs on, and one other I believe has Cabbage Looper Moth eggs. There are also some Black Aphids on one leaf, I have tried rinsing them off but they're not budging, does anyone know how I can get rid of them?

    IMG_3231.JPG IMG_3248.JPG IMG_3245.JPG IMG_3235.JPG


    Thanks :spinning:
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

      Joined:
      Jan 9, 2005
      Messages:
      47,698
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired
      Location:
      Mid Kent
      Ratings:
      +84,316
      Squash em with your fingers:)
       
      • Like Like x 2
      • Agree Agree x 1
      • AntoniaKrz

        AntoniaKrz Apprentice Gardener

        Joined:
        Jul 7, 2018
        Messages:
        11
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Leeds, UK
        Ratings:
        +6
        Is it possible to scrape them off? I'd feel bad using my hands to squash them! :frown:
         
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

        Joined:
        Jan 9, 2005
        Messages:
        47,698
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Mid Kent
        Ratings:
        +84,316
        Yeah, whatever way works for you, you could use gloves.:smile:
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • AntoniaKrz

          AntoniaKrz Apprentice Gardener

          Joined:
          Jul 7, 2018
          Messages:
          11
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          Leeds, UK
          Ratings:
          +6
          That's true, Thank you :smile:
           
        • Ned

          Ned Evaporated

          Joined:
          Apr 25, 2017
          Messages:
          2,309
          Occupation:
          Prime Minister
          Location:
          The Moon
          Ratings:
          +5,404
          I just let them get on with it. I have nasturtiums growing all over the place in my garden, and they are great for attracting black fly and other bugs. This tends to mean that the bugs leave the other plants alone.
          By leaving them I find that other creatures use them at meal times. Using poisons in the garden tends to cure one problem and create three more.
          Nasturtiums grow strongly and seed freely, so enjoy them while they look good, leave them alone, and let them seed.
          Welcome to the forum by the way .... :)
           
          • Agree Agree x 3
          • Like Like x 2
          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

            Joined:
            Jan 9, 2005
            Messages:
            47,698
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired
            Location:
            Mid Kent
            Ratings:
            +84,316
            What about if you actually like nasturtiums, and they are your pride and joy?;):biggrin:
             
            • Funny Funny x 3
            • Agree Agree x 2
            • Marley Farley

              Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

              Joined:
              May 11, 2005
              Messages:
              30,589
              Occupation:
              Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
              Location:
              Under the Edge Zone 8b
              Ratings:
              +14,123
              Welcome @AntoniaKrz to GC.. I just rub them off too.. Simples... Squish and squeeze.. ;):heehee: Gloves or no gloves.. :spinning:
               
              • Like Like x 2
              • AntoniaKrz

                AntoniaKrz Apprentice Gardener

                Joined:
                Jul 7, 2018
                Messages:
                11
                Gender:
                Female
                Location:
                Leeds, UK
                Ratings:
                +6
                I have only just put these Nasturtiums into the garden, they haven't flowered yet. I grew them from seed quite late as I got the urge to grow some plants. So I don't want them to be destroyed yet, maybe in a couple years haha, just not now :biggrin:
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • Ned

                  Ned Evaporated

                  Joined:
                  Apr 25, 2017
                  Messages:
                  2,309
                  Occupation:
                  Prime Minister
                  Location:
                  The Moon
                  Ratings:
                  +5,404
                  :loll:I actually do :yes:
                   
                  • Funny Funny x 1
                  • martin-f

                    martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

                    Joined:
                    Mar 15, 2015
                    Messages:
                    3,372
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Location:
                    Sheffield
                    Ratings:
                    +10,302
                    Leave them be they wont hurt them Nasturtiums grow leaves very quickly mine is covered in all sorts of bugs and flowering well.
                     
                    • Agree Agree x 2
                    • AntoniaKrz

                      AntoniaKrz Apprentice Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Jul 7, 2018
                      Messages:
                      11
                      Gender:
                      Female
                      Location:
                      Leeds, UK
                      Ratings:
                      +6
                      So, I have left a few caterpillars (about 4 in total, very few had hatched), removed most of the eggs but I kept a few back to hatch in my home and I'll later release them once they are butterflies :smile:
                       
                    • martin-f

                      martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

                      Joined:
                      Mar 15, 2015
                      Messages:
                      3,372
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Location:
                      Sheffield
                      Ratings:
                      +10,302
                      :scratch: Rather silly to be honest :wallbanging::biggrin: if you insist on keeping them leave them on the plant what are the eggs going to feed on when they hatch ?.

                      British butterflies suffered seventh worst year on record in 2017
                      British butterflies suffered seventh worst year on record in 2017
                       
                      • Agree Agree x 1
                        Last edited: Jul 8, 2018
                      • wiseowl

                        wiseowl FRIENDLY ADMIN Staff Member

                        Joined:
                        Oct 29, 2006
                        Messages:
                        44,111
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Occupation:
                        Philosophy of people
                        Location:
                        In a barn somewhere in North Kent
                        Ratings:
                        +89,263
                        Good morning I use my nasturtium leaves for a salad very tasty ,and the small eggs go down a treat:heehee:

                        P1300679.JPG
                         
                        • Funny Funny x 2
                        • Friendly Friendly x 1
                        • Marley Farley

                          Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

                          Joined:
                          May 11, 2005
                          Messages:
                          30,589
                          Occupation:
                          Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
                          Location:
                          Under the Edge Zone 8b
                          Ratings:
                          +14,123
                          Not grown any for the last couple of years but I do like them too, must remember some for next year though as they are goo to draw the blackly away from other plants if nothing else....
                           
                          • Agree Agree x 1
                          Loading...

                          Share This Page

                          1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                            By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                            Dismiss Notice