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Rhode Island

MOST OF US ARE IN AND AROUND THE TIME TO PUT OUT THOSE PRECIOUS SEEDLINGS WE HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR.
SOME OF YOU PAID TOP DOLLAR AT AUCTION,SOME HAD TO BEG,OR BUBBLE AND, SOME HAD TO TRADE TO GET UM.SO WHY TAKE CHANCES THAT COULD RESULT IN FAILURE.

WE PUT A PLASTIC RING CUT FROM THE TOP 4" OF A TWO GALLON BLACK PLASTIC POT AROUND THE YOUNG SEEDLING. SINKING IT A COUPLE INCHES INTO THE SOIL.-PREVENTS CUT WORMS FROM EATING THE STEM OF YOUR PLANT.

LATER ON ONCE THE BASE HAS GROWN TO A COUPLE INCHES AROUND? WE CUT THE RING AND REMOVE IT.
PS--SAVE IT, YOU CAN TAPE IT BACK TOGETHER AND USE IT AGAIN NEXT SPRING.

4/22/2012 7:21:20 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Pap, When do these cutworms come out.

4/22/2012 12:59:20 PM

Ashby, MA

Hi, I wanted to know if I should still use the rings even though my plants are safe inside of a hot house.

4/22/2012 7:23:41 PM

Sourthern Utah

nice post ,,, pap,,, been using then a couple years now.. cutworm issues went away... here in the rocky mtn area... early may thru mid june it seems, lost a few good plant a couple years ago to them,,, its a great idea..

4/22/2012 9:04:32 PM

Ely Mn

they live in the top few inches of soil.you want to put them in even if you have a hot house.

4/22/2012 9:28:51 PM

valparaiso, in

I got attacked by the cut worms a few years back. Set me back a week or so. Ever since then I do the plastic ring around the plant when planting. Been good so far.

gpierce I would still use them.

4/22/2012 11:57:33 PM

Rhode Island

kenny -- put the rings around the plant when you transplant into the patch. remove later in season once the rings get in the way of the base.
g -- in a hot house is just as bad as outside. see note above to kenny.
pap

4/23/2012 9:53:57 AM

Ashby, MA

Thank you Kenny and Pap. I listen to your advice and put rings around my plants this morning. Thanks again for all the expert advice. It really helps!

4/23/2012 10:01:00 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

Good advise Dick. I've had cutworms mow down many of my newly planted tomato plants in the past.

4/23/2012 1:42:03 PM

Minnesota

amelio, I'm getting excited about seeing the ag's your going to grow, I can't wait.

4/23/2012 3:22:47 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Richard B., I bet you are on pins & needles, waiting to see "aluminum foil inclusively thermoneck (alu-foil on DN 300 wastewater pipe)" !!! eh? Say what? Peace, Wayne
PS...1566 x Freak might just have to be my cross this year!!!! Peace, Wayne

4/24/2012 3:17:32 AM

Ashby, MA

Hi Pap, one last question on this...

Based on your post the ring would stick up out of the ground about 2" (the other 2" in the ground). Do you let the main vine just grow over the top of the ring which is sticking out of the ground 2"?

Thanks!

4/24/2012 9:43:20 AM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

Pap-
Do you think the recent winter blast we had here will kill all emerging cut worms or should we still takke precautions?

4/24/2012 10:20:06 AM

Lexington, Ky

While I've never employed this strategy, I do find it interesting but I (as well as others) haven't been able to visulize it. Does anyone have a diary photo or willing to put one up so that several of us can cop a visual? It sounds like a simple plan that doesn't need a photo but I can tell that several of us would benefit from a photo.

4/24/2012 1:07:13 PM

Ontario

I use 2" black plastic water pipe for tomato plants,4" long long,then cut length wise in a vise,then spread it open and around plant ,then push in soil about 2". Nothing worse than losing a great plant(any)plant to one of those suckers. Terry

4/24/2012 7:12:27 PM

Connellsville, Pa

Yes a picture may help out.

4/24/2012 9:01:27 PM

Ely Mn

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/DiaryImages/FullSize/156634.jpg
i put them almost flush with the soil.i just cut about 4 inches off the top of a one gallon nursery pot,cut it in half then put it around the plant,tape it,then sink it down around the plant.

4/24/2012 9:44:50 PM

Lexington, Ky

Thanks Master P, that's a nice photo.

4/25/2012 9:17:22 AM

Ely Mn

No problem

4/25/2012 7:21:49 PM