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Slugs, bugs and pests!

xamyvaloxxamyvalox Posts: 31
in Plants
Hi all

Went out this evening to check on some dahlia bulbs I have coming up, and noticed the small stalk of one had fallen over and had no structure. Moved some of the soil away to find a small grub/caterpillar looking thing that all but munched through the central stem. I swiftly removed him and have put the stem back into the soil and firmed in. Is there a chance for it at all or will it die as not enough is attached to the bulb? Think it is also the culprit for my larger dahlia attack as I noticed the main stem of that had also been chewed through.

Also, does anyone have any non chemical remedies for aphids, caterpillars and slugs? I have tried soapy water on on lupins but they are absolutely over run with aphids which has meant my flowers haven't been great this year. Have tried crushed egg shells for the slugs, but they don't seem to care. So upsetting when you plant things to find them eaten the next day!

Sorry, pics aren't great!

Posts

  • maggiemew1maggiemew1 Posts: 35
    I boiled up garlic and diluted the "stew" and used it around the dahlias and lupins and I repeat that every week or so. It seems to keep them at bay. Also someone I know puts the egg shells in the oven when baking and them crushes them. It makes them sharper which might repel the slugs better than unbaked ones.
  • mrmhfmrmhf Posts: 37
    We had major slug issues this year and resorted to slug nematodes. They seem to be working very effectively: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfBZa_MAab8
    Our country living, smallholding and sustainability journey: https://myhomefarm.co.uk
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Night raids with a pair of snips is a good way to reduce numbers. Passive ways relly don;t work and the suggested nematodes can be very expensive and not particularly long lasting. But encouraging a vibrant ecosystem is the only long term solution, invite the birds, frogs and hedgehogs in and they will help with control too. The good news is that your main plant will reshoot and give you flowers, wouldn't bother with potting the top, it will probably take but too late in the season to get a new plant started. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
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