What's eating my Echinacea??

Question

I have TWO plants, one is continually being eaten, munched right down the stems...and then down to the ground. The other one is only partially nibbled. They're only 2 feet apart.

Answer 1

Ooops, busted.  That must have been me--I'm addicted to the darn things...

Answer 2

No guess, really.  Could be catapillars, squirrels rabbits (But the rabbits here don't eat mine) or maybe the neighbor kids (!?).  Maybe grasshoppers.  

Put some kind of barrier around them.  I use chicken wire and it helps alot.  And if its grasshoppers (probably) use a floating row cover (or sheet).  Once the plants are established they will probably be left alone.  Unless its deer.  

It really helps to give more info on location.

Answer 3

Whats up Doc?

That would be rabbits. One of their favorite diets. Rabbits will typically eat certain plants and change their cuisine from one year to another, but Echinacea they eat every time. Bummer, I love them too. I can't keep them either.

Eliminate the rabbits, which by the way, are mostly, but not exclusively,  nocturnal.

You can put a cage around and over your plants.

Sometimes bloodmeal sprinkled on the ground will work for a while.

Sometimes used cat litter will work. The urine smell of a predator.

And then there are a plethora of animal repellents, all of which are moderately effective, and all for a temporary time.

TopCatt

Answer 4

down to the ground sounds like an animal--are there deer around? or other critters? strange that it's just the one though. Local nurseries usually can tell you what the most likely issue is in your neighborhood. Maybe whatever is eating it is just trying to strengthen it's immune system!!!

Answer 5

You don't say if they're indoors or outside?

Check them carefully, from top to bottom, underside of leaves, the whole plant for bugs and remove them.  I use rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab or my fingers to remove the bugs.

If outside, it could be snails, slugs, cutworms-lots of different bugs.  You can try putting  a barrier around them, if they're small enough.

Cut the bottom out of a large plastic milk container.  Sink it (open end touching the dirt) around the plant an inch or two.  Make sure there is no opening for the bugs to crawl inside the container.

This will act as a barrier and mini greenhouse.  Just be careful the plants don't get too hot.  You can remove the milk jug, once they start growing again.

Answer 6

Bunnies in the early morning.You can get a repellent that will keep them away and not hurt them at the hardware store.