things eating my seedling

[JiGGabOo]

hey i think birds have been eating my little seedlings so i think iam going to cut the top and bottom of a soda can and put it over the seedling. do u think that will be okay or is there another way to keep bugs/animals from eating my plant? also i will be putting it on top of a table so bugs wont get it.

JiGGabOo Reviewed by JiGGabOo on 05-13-2006. things eating my seedling hey i think birds have been eating my little seedlings so i think iam going to cut the top and bottom of a soda can and put it over the seedling. do u think that will be okay or is there another way to keep bugs/animals from eating my plant? also i will be putting it on top of a table so bugs wont get it. Rating: 5

[mountainman]

It's easier to start your seeds indoors, under CFL's and then move them outdoors once the weather is better and the plants have at least a few nodes.

As far as keeping pests away....

You'll never keep bugs away unless you use a pesticide of some sort, but that can kill your plant if you don't use caution.
Birds would be kept away by the soda can, they probably won't wanna reach over it. You could put a screen over it to be safe.

Good luck.

[JiGGabOo]

i dont have the option to grow indoors so do u think this will be alright?
iam going to put the pot on top of the table and with the seedling imma put the soda can over it. do u think the sun will get to the seedling well even with the soda can?

[just me]

My common sense me to use a fine net so light can get in and bugs are kept out. That's what go on and around various plants in my garden that need protecting.

[just me]

Just use an appropriate size net for what you want so if they are little bugs then use one where the holes arn't big enough for them to get through and if need be sit the plant pot with seedling in on top of the net and rap it around the plant pot and seedling so the bugs don't come up from the ground or where ever they come from. I'd support the net with canes so the net or what ever don't droop onto the seedling.

[JiGGabOo]

i dont have the option to use a net though =\ so the only thing i can think of is to use the soda can on top of the table. will the sun get to the seedling good with the soda can method?

[just me]

have a look and see

[del...]

cutworms can be a real problem with seedlings in my area, not far from you. birds like seedlings too but they pull them out while insects leave a little stub. so look for those signs and if you see an inch to inch and a half long skinny dark brown bugs with a split tail (looks like the can sting but they can't), most likely there's your culprit. the cans will take care of crawling critters tho.

[JiGGabOo]

well iam not exactly sure whats been eating my seedlings. but this is what it looked like....it just had the long stem and everyhting else was gone.

[just me]

Good soda can idea. I tryed to answer what I though was best but I didn't take into consideration where you're living having any different types of bugs than where I am.