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All my plants are being eaten away

nataliacampourriza5Z9JLWu_nataliacampourriza5Z9JLWu_ Posts: 15
in Problem solving
Hello, I am new to gardening. I planted some hydrangeas and lupina and dahlias in my garden and they were all doing very well until I have seen they have all been eaten away. I cannot see anything on the leaves. What can be causing this? Can I save them? 

Posts

  • nataliacampourriza5Z9JLWu_nataliacampourriza5Z9JLWu_ Posts: 15

  • nataliacampourriza5Z9JLWu_nataliacampourriza5Z9JLWu_ Posts: 15

  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    Hi - looks like slug/snail damage. They come out at night, so you could confirm that by going out with a torch. Not sure if your plants will recover - some look less badly damaged than others.

    There will be people with more knowledge than me, but there seems to be three ways of dealing:
    Picking them off and killing them
    Nematodes
    Slug pellets

  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    I would go out at night with a torch, and offer the molluscs brief yet intense aeronautical experiences...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That's mainly slug and snail damage, although you may have other pests as well like aphids and caterpillars.  Molluscs love the soft, fleshy new growth on plants. Hunting them down and squishing is the best method. Unfortunately, once you start putting plants into a garden, it attracts them, and you need to be vigilant from early in the year to get on top of them. 

    More importantly - that hydrangea will need moved  @nataliacampourriza5Z9JLWu_ . The border and location are far too small for it - it'll swamp the other plants in a few years.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • nataliacampourriza5Z9JLWu_nataliacampourriza5Z9JLWu_ Posts: 15
    Thank you so much for the advice. I was thinking about Potting the hydrangeas? 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    They are better in the ground as they need space for their roots as well as the top growth and they also don't like to be thirsty.   They'll get their roots down further and need a lot less watering if you can plant them in a bigger space in the ground.

    Have a read of this and scroll down for more detailed info - https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/popular/hydrangea/shrubby/growing-guide

    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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