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What's eating my iris flower buds?

LavandeLavande Posts: 171
in Problem solving
Does anyone know what could be eating the flower heads on my irises before they bloom?  Last year I assumed it was slugs as the neck appeared to be eaten and the otherwise healthy bud was decapitated but this year it appears to be the actual bud that is being attacked. 
Sometimes it's empty and sometimes it looks shredded.   

Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Could be snails?  Although I caught a squirrel yesterday, sitting on the wall, munching my wisteria buds!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • LavandeLavande Posts: 171
    Oh cheeky blighters - I do hope it's not squirrels, my daughter has a terrible problem with them devastating her plant pots.  Last year I thought it must be snails with the neck munching and thought I had got rid of them ...I suppose that's a bit naive. I'll go snail hunting then.  Thank you Lizzie
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    I think it's molluscs. They try it on mine too.
  • LavandeLavande Posts: 171
    Thanks Cambridgerose12, I have been round the garden looking for shells and have found plenty old but empty ones but none of the usual live ones under pots or in dark moist places but they must be lurking somewhere. I can't even see a tell tale sign of the slime that is normally left behind plus it has been so dry here recently that I thought this year they would be free - obviously not. Last night I sprayed them with soapy water but even more look in a sorry state today so I think I have to resort to pellets. 

  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    .my money's on snails, often they chomp right through the stems
  • LavandeLavande Posts: 171
    Thanks Nanny Beach, I'm going on the offensive....garden centre tomorrow for pellets. i have too many to lose.  They are being munched at an alarming rate!
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    The tricky blighters wait till there's a lovely fat bud,then they chomp through the stem,so you have to wait ages for regrowth
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