What's eating my Canna Lily?

8 years ago

My young Canna Lily is potted and in a back room of my house. Late last night I noticed a leaf or two eaten up. This has happened quickly. Whatever it is hasn't so far gotten to another different kind of plant sitting next to it. There are tiny black specks on the counter right below my Canna. I think I see a very very teensy spider like web from one Canna leaf to another with what looks like a teensy black something on the web, not the Canna.

Waiting for my helper, friend to come in any time, to assist me. He's no gardener, however he is able bodied where I am hardly able to take a step without severe pain.

Thought someone out there might know what's attacking my Canna, and what to do?

My guess would be to take Canna outside and fine spray it with a hose. Spray my room with something. Ant spray or whatever, tho this isn't ants.

Thanks ahead, should anyone see this post, and respond - Diane

Featured Answer

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

8 years ago

thats frass ... and has to have come from a larger insect .... perhaps look for it at night ...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=frass&t=ffcm&ia=definition

i doubt the web and tiny spiders have anything to do with it all ... and wouldnt be surprised if it isnt one single bug ... hiding down some leaf stalk ... and if you find it.. and the damage stops.. just cut out that one leaf ... and be done with it ... unless the webbing is the culprit pupating ....

perhaps these pix will give you an idea of what you are looking for ...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=caterpillar+on+canna&t=ffcm&iax=images&ia=images

ken

ps: is there a design in the eaten out part.. of is that from the window treatment behind .....??

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Comments (13)

Diane (NC zone 8a)
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Ken: It's not from the lace curtain. It's weird. Like the "meat" of the leaf was eaten and the leaf's inner fabric? was left behind which looks like a dark string pattern. Hard to explain. Will be looking at this closely with friend's help in just a bit.
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Diane (NC zone 8a)
Original Author
8 years ago
EUREKA. A bright green worm-like bug about an inch long was found inside one of the curled up leaves and killed. THANK YOU Ken.. Will be on look out.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
look familiar?

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Canna+leafroller&t=ffcm&iax=images&ia=images

\

scroll down a bit.. and see what it turns into ... ken
Diane (NC zone 8a) thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
you are welcome
Diane (NC zone 8a) thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Diane (NC zone 8a)
Original Author
8 years ago
It wasn't ugly like the leaf roller. I went on youtube and there it was! Called an inchworm/green caterpillar. I kinda felt bad when husband squished cause it was cute and said it squirted out green. I should have had him toss way out in the field next door.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
and if you took a few specs of that black poop and smeared it on a sheet of white paper .. you would find it is green also ... its like a monochromatic nightmare ... lol ... take care .. ken
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
oh.. and btw.. now just take a good pair of heavy kitchen scissors... and cut out that leaf.. outta site.. outta mind ... but if it happens again.. you will know there was a second ...

i presume you know this is not a houseplant.. and that you have it indoors because of your situation .... if you need help with what to do with it for winter.. you might ask in the houseplant or perennial forums ... and MAYBE someone will know ... the question that comes to my mind.. is whether it will bloom again.. if it does not go dormant for winter ...

ken
Diane (NC zone 8a) thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Diane (NC zone 8a)
Original Author
8 years ago
I do know it's not a house plant. And right about my situation. Won't have help til Sunday to locate it outside (leg/back problems). Will cut off that leaf today, as you are right about that one too. THANKS once again.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
if its been indoors any amount of time.. it will need to be hardened off to sunlight ... a week in full shade outside ... moving it into brighter and brighter light would be good ..

frankly ... just grow it as a houseplant.. enjoy the heck out of it.. and then just be done with it when it starts to go downhill ... perhaps you will get more joy out of it that way.. rather than it be out where you cant ...

ken
Diane (NC zone 8a) thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Diane (NC zone 8a)
Original Author
8 years ago
Since my last post, with help I re-potted my Canna Lily carefully into a larger, plastic black pot and placed it outside in the shade. Think it has a new bloom. So far, so good. Thanks again Ken.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
your are welcome .... ken
Diane (NC zone 8a) thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
litchfieldgardener
7 years ago
In their native tropics, cannas grow and bloom non-stop. Just keep watered (they're swamp plants actually).