Lettuce plants breaking off at base

QuestionsHow to growVegetable GrowingLettuceLettuce plants breaking off at base
Ann Baskett asked 15 years ago

Lettuce plants growing nicely then recently at least four have ‘flopped’ and ‘wilted’ . When lifting off the leaves no roots attached just as though they have broken off at base. One plant looked perfectly healthy yesterday morning and by late afternoon it had ‘flopped’. Slug bait all around, even egg shells as well. Have never had this problem before. Any suggestions as to what can be happening.

1 Answers

Gerry Daly Staff answered 7 years ago
This is likely to be cutworm damage, larvae of night-flying moths that feed on plants roots close to soil surface.

If you root around very carefully just below the soil surface at the most recently damaged plant, you will probably find one or more of these and simply remove.

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