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Clematis being eaten

Amy78Amy78 Posts: 13
in Problem solving
Hi all.  I recently bought and planted a young clematis but every time it grows a new shoot or leaf something eats it!  It is driving me insane but I'm not sure what I can do about it? 
I think it is either slugs or snails, I don't want to use pellets as I have a dog and also grow edibles.  I have put bark around the base but that hasn't seemed to do anything.....any ideas or tips on what I can do to stop it please?

Posts

  • yorkshireroseyorkshirerose Posts: 574
    Can you post a photo, please, Amy.
    A gardener's work is never at an end  - (John Evelyn 1620-1706)
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    If it's slugs or snails (and they do love new clematis shoots) the bark will just give them shelter so remove it.    You could try very sharp grit instead but the best thing is to go out with a torch after dark and pick them off and destroy them.

    There are now "organic" slug pellets which are not based on metaldehyde and which will not harm your dog.   Use sparingly rather than turning the earth blue.  I also find an upturned pot over a damp bit of soil attracts snails to hide by day and I can then pick them off easily or you could try a beer trap which is good for catching slugs.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Amy78Amy78 Posts: 13
    @yorkshirerose This is what it looks like now (please ignore the weed :D ) .....every time it grows a shoot or leaf it gets eaten, without fail, so now it just looks like half dead sticks!  

    Thanks @Obelixx I will def take the bark off, would gravel work instead? I will have a look for those pellets and see what other traps I can set for them!




  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I think I would be tempted to water it thoroughly and then dig it up and pot it in a good deep pot using John Innes no 3 type loamy compost mixed with about 1/3rd MPC for moisture retention.

    Check the root system and crown for any naughty creatures you don't want in the pot and keep the pot raised up on pot feet to make drainage easier and access harder.  Give it 3 or 4 bamboo canes tied at the top to make a wigwam and water regularly.  This will give it the chance to recover and grow a stronger root system with some good stems to feed them.

    Keep the pot in a sheltered position all winter then try planting out next spring and surround it with sharp gravel to keep the slimesters away.   Plant some sacrificial lettuce somewhere nearby but not too close so they go for those instead.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Amy78Amy78 Posts: 13
    edited July 2020
    Thank you so much @Obelixx I have removed the bark and put an old pot with no bottom over it so it goes round the base with some copper tape till I can get some John Innes no 3.  It looks like its wearing a shiny collar at the moment   :D  
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Very fetching I'm sure.  Good luck with it.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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