Problems with ginseng

[Wilkie]

Would like to know why a few of my 3-leafers have a 90 degree bend in the stem about three fourths the way up the stem? I also remember Brad that some kind of small fly making holes in the leaves. What can I spray to stop this and find it locally. I also scratch around a 3yr, old the was leaning over and found a small cut worm. Do you ever treat your wild simulated in the woods before or after planting for pests like this?

[Brad]

Hi Wilkie...welcome to the forum.

I do not treat for insects other than slugs.  I would guess that is what your issue with the seedlings might be.  I would recommend Sluggo, but understand Deadline has come out with an iron phospate product that is similar.  This stuff is deadly for slugs but safe otherwise to other critters.

The other concern I have is that it might be daming off.  If that is the case, I think I'd go through with a copper hydroxide spray or maybe even ridomil or bravo (or combination of them if you can find it labeled for use in your area on ginseng). 

For wild sim, you cannot treat with anything.  If they die they do.  That's the nature of the thing.

If you have some good pictures you can post that might help identify the issue.  If they look like a small nip taken out of the stem, its slugs.  If it looks like the whole stem is constricted, its disease (damping off which might be a half dozen different fungal organisms).

[Algeze]

Be careful of using tools used in that area in another area. You could potentially spread the disease if that is what it is.