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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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Saturday - July 14, 2012

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Pests, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Something eating cannas in Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

What is eating my cannas?

ANSWER:

Here is a previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer concerning cannas. Since they are non-native to North America and we have no personal experience with them, we have listed some websites that deal with canna pests. You will note that the last one lists slugs and snails as possible culprints. Last year, when we could not water much and the rain did not come, we didn't usually consider slugs and snails as a possible threat in Central Texas. However, this year it is different, and we have responded to several questions with instructions for looking for these somewhat disgusting animals.

Previous Mr. Smarty Plants question on snails and slugs

Canna News Canna Virus Disese

Gulf Breeze News Leafroller insect a major pest of canna lily

eHow Canna Lily Pests

do-it-yourself Protecting Canna Lily from Insects

 

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