Tumeric or locally known as kunyit has been in the garden for almost 2 years. Rhizomes will build up as the plant mature. When the plant is about to dry up, they will be dug up. It is about this time, that tumeric will produce lovely flowers at the base. Rhizomes will be cleaned up and saved. Some will be transplanted at a different location. I seldom see tumeric leaves being bored, smeared or eaten by insects. It must be the strong smell that has been keeping insects away. But not this time!......
The way they bore holes with specific intervals is fairly unique and artistic. I put pictures here to warn gardeners about insects artistic attack on tumeric leaves.... haha.
~bangchik
Nice Pictures, who knew insects where artistic!
ReplyDeleteInteresting, one Calla of mine had the same hole pattern last summer / gittan
ReplyDeleteDear Bangchik, I love having these snippets of information from across the globe. Please do continue.
ReplyDeleteNice artwork :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing art by insects :)
ReplyDeleteThat is really cool Bangchik! Fascinating to consider how they come to do their artwork so symmetrically!
ReplyDeleteNot the type of art I want to see around here!! lol
ReplyDeleteI think they have raided the stationary store and have got their hands on one of those hole punches to make those little holes - such precision especially in that 3rd photo. Bangchik you sure do have a good eye to notice detail like this :) Rosie
ReplyDeleteCould they have made a hole before the leaf had unfurled fully, that way boring through several layers at once? It would explain how the holes are at specific intervals.
ReplyDeleteAlways so observant Bangchick.
ReplyDeleteI've never even set eyes on a turmeric plant before, so that was pretty cool. :) I use turmeric a lot in my curries....
ReplyDeleteI often have the same problem on my Canna leaves. The holes are rather attractive though - especially when the light shines through.
ReplyDeleteThe grasshopper or harlequinn or caterpillar or a stranger, so who did it?
ReplyDeleteInteresting 'Insect Art'! :)
ReplyDeleteArtistic indeed!
ReplyDeleteI love a hint of kunyit leaves in my cooking.
You have such a great way of looking at things. Very good hearted.
ReplyDeletejust like the hungry little caterpillar book (can tell I have little kids!) great pics!
ReplyDeleteWho knew insects could be so artistic and precise? :)
ReplyDeleteThose holes look so cute he, he... Yeah, probably the little guy decided to chew up your leaves in an orderly fashion so that the leaves would not be an eye sore and you will not be that angry with him ha, ha...
ReplyDeleteTaking about hole... my sweet potato leaves have holes more more each time after a heavy rain fall... ;-( But of course the holes are not in a straight line like yours he he... Yours are exceptional!
If only all insects that make holes on our plants would do it artistically like yours did ;^)
ReplyDeleteThis is an encounter with the third kind.
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed artwork!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of the "Hungry hungry Caterpillar" book too!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Autumn Belle wanting to know who is the culprit?
Dear friends, blogging gardeners. Thanks to your lovely comments.
ReplyDeleteI am not always goodhearted as Janet puts it... When it comes to pest, I had placed poison pellets to get rid of snails/slugs when they try to outrun my veggies. But at other times, I do appreciate their existence on biodiversity context, and try as much as I can to view them on friendly term.
This artwork on tumeric leaves is fun and deserves a post. I tend to agree with Jo, that they could have made a hole before the leaf had unfurled fully, boring through several layers at once..... By what insect?.. that I really have to figure out. Belle suggested grasshopper or harlequinn or caterpillar or a stranger! What ever the insect is, it must have the tool to bore through layers of unfurled leaf.
Since Canna leaves has similar characteristic at unfurling, similar holes should be common as easygardener and Gittan had found out...
But it doesn't matter much, that artwork cause little damage to tumeric plant. Just like girls with multiple pierced holes at the ears.... So our tumeric plants are quite fashionable now.... haha.
Cheers,
~bangchik
putrajaya, Malaysia
gippslandgardener<<<<<<<<
ReplyDeleteI will keep looking who the culprit is.... ~bangchik
That is one of those things you are sort of mad about and happy at the same time. A bittersweet find.
ReplyDeleteRosey
Rosey Pollen,
ReplyDeleteBittersweet indeed! ~bangchik
Beautiful way to look at it. Thank you for the perspective, and for appreciating the creature that enjoyed that meal.
ReplyDeleteAll me best,
Beth
>>>> Beth.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. I am just exploring the side of what's obvious. Just to warm our heart and appreciating the diversity!
~bangchik