Mirabilis and Japanese beetles

Lyles, TN

Dave, I saw on the plants page pictures of 4'oclocks you grew. Did you have any Japanese Beetle damage on them? I read somewhere that they repel them. I'm thinking of trying(next year) a water extract of the leaves sprayed on as a repellant. Any thoughts? Anyone? Maybe just interplanting like you do with Marigolds and Tomatoes.

Don't do it. Those four o'clocks were a veritable japanese beetle magnet.

Don't misunderstand... I love the plant and I'm going to grow the same amount (or more) again next year.

But, my experience showed that 4:00s made a crummy companion plant. The j.beetles loved them and ate away, ignoring the Daturas that were just 1 foot away.

Marigolds and Tomatoes, however, make a good companionship. I'll be doing more of that next year.

Dave

Lyles, TN

Dave, while I was thinking repellent, (I read that somewhere) maybe use as a "trap crop" would work better. I use a black nightshade as a trap for flea bettles, the only way I can have eggplant.

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