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Sunflowers and lupins eaten
mark.wingfield
Posts: 14
Total novice to gardening but am attempting to add colour (and bees) to my garden by growing from seed, both from seedlings grown indoors and sowing directly.
Main problematic flowers have been lupins and sunflowers. Lupins outdoors are at a decent height of 3-4 inches but then disappear overnight.
Sunflowers are now suffering a similar plight although, in their case, just the stems remain with no leaves.
I have large cloches and have put them over what's left so that may help. However, sunflowers will outgrow those quickly if all goes well.
What is the most likely culprit in an English Garden? I have seen squirrels suggested and wondered if I should put garlic pest control balls in the cloches and nearby when i remove the cloches? They worked on my bay window top so maybe they will work here.
All ideas on culprits and solutions welcome.
Main problematic flowers have been lupins and sunflowers. Lupins outdoors are at a decent height of 3-4 inches but then disappear overnight.
Sunflowers are now suffering a similar plight although, in their case, just the stems remain with no leaves.
I have large cloches and have put them over what's left so that may help. However, sunflowers will outgrow those quickly if all goes well.
What is the most likely culprit in an English Garden? I have seen squirrels suggested and wondered if I should put garlic pest control balls in the cloches and nearby when i remove the cloches? They worked on my bay window top so maybe they will work here.
All ideas on culprits and solutions welcome.
0
Posts
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Cut down a large plastic bottle, put it around the young plant - make sure it's pushed well into the ground, (mind the roots though) and as tall - or taller than the plant. You can also put strips of copper tape around the top of the bottle.
This doesn't stop occasional slugs getting underneath, but it will stop most of them, and give your plants chance to grow and toughen up enough to repel the buggers themselves.
Go out at night and pick off any molluscs that get under the fortress.
They need to be filling pots of around 6 inches diameter at least
If conditions are dry, they stay further underground, and when it's cooler [and damper] they'll emerge - especially at night. Nice juicy new foliage is like a drug for them.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...