What ate all the leaves on my dwarf sunflower?

9 years ago

I'm growing a dwarf sunflower in a pot indoors. I noticed that something seemed to be eating the leaves but it was just the bottom leaves and the top ones were fine and it was just about to flower. I inspected it and didn't see any bugs or anything but I look today and it's dead and something had eaten all the leaves on it. I kind of suspect my cat however the leaves looked like it had the bite marks like when caterpillar eats a leaf, when my cat it's a leaf she just usually leaves mushy mess (if she leaves anything at all) so I don't really think it's her. It's got to be a bug but what kind would do that? I had a problem with fungus gnats (I never learn not to get things from Home Depot!) but I just re-potted everything and I have a ton of other plants and herbs (they're all smushed together under a grow light) and nothing else seems to have the problem that the sunflower had. Help?

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Comments (5)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
9 years ago
A picture of the damage would be really helpful.
pelargonium_gw
9 years ago
Have you had a careful look under the pot, or in the cache pot if you have one? I have found caterpillars sometimes in those places.
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Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
9 years ago
Lots of critters like to eat sunflowers! Pill bugs, snails, various caterpillars come to mind first.
fzyflwrchld
Original Author
9 years ago
I've potted and grown it indoors so no caterpillars for sure. I didn't take a picture before the damage was too wilted to get a good idea of what it really looked like but I've planted two new seeds which have already sprouted, if it happens again I'll make sure to record the damage for you guys to look at. Thanks!
fzyflwrchld
Original Author
9 years ago
I've potted and grown it indoors so no caterpillars for sure. I didn't take a picture before the damage was too wilted to get a good idea of what it really looked like but I've planted two new seeds which have already sprouted, if it happens again I'll make sure to record the damage for you guys to look at. Thanks!