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Hosta Purple Heart

Hello

I have a coupe of host Purple Hearts which have been ravaged by slugs and snails.  is it best to cut the leaves off now or leave the plant to die back naturally for next year

image

Last edited: 16 October 2017 10:37:38

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889

    It doesn't look " ravaged " to me. image

    It'll be off to sleep soon anyway. I'd just leave it be. 

    Devon.
  • treehugger80treehugger80 Posts: 1,923

    leave it to die back naturally then give it a decent mulch this winter,

    slugs and snails often only attack hostas that are showing signs of stress (too dry/hot/underfed)

  • Thanks for the responses.  ravaged may have been a tad strong but they certainly don't look the hostas I aspired to.  Any tips for keeping them snail and slug free without using traditional pellets bought in garden centres?

    Last edited: 16 October 2017 10:46:24

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889

    Encourage frogs and toads , blackbirds and thrushes and hedgehogs. 

    And don't have a cat.

    Devon.
  • Copper rings will keep them away as will a ring of old coffee grounds though that will need topping up as rain will diminish.

    AB Still learning

  • Hostafan1 says:

    Encourage frogs and toads , blackbirds and thrushes and hedgehogs. 

    And don't have a cat.

    See original post

     what is it with cats?

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889

     "what is it with cats?"

    They mercilessly kill  millions of birds, reptiles, amphibians etc.

    Devon.
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