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What's eating my Pac Choi...

InTheMoorlandsInTheMoorlands Posts: 161
edited August 2023 in Fruit & veg
...and how do I stop it please:


Kale and Swedes planted next to Pac Choi unaffected.
At about 750 feet on the western edge of The Pennines.  Clay soil.  
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  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Slugs and snails. The only way to stop is to use "slug" pellets. Not good but it does allow the plants to build up. Then you may have the dreaded whites with their caterpillars that strip all the leaves down to the midrib as they have done with our kohl rabi.
  • InTheMoorlandsInTheMoorlands Posts: 161
    Slugs and snails. The only way to stop is to use "slug" pellets.


    Thanks.  Are there any pet friendly slug pellets out there.  We have two cats and don't want any accidents.

    The growbags are on a stone base so I've poured a liberal dose of salt around them.  That should help, until it starts to rain that is.


    At about 750 feet on the western edge of The Pennines.  Clay soil.  
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    All slug pellets are now non-toxic to animals and even some slugs!
    So you need not be concerned, just don't overuse them.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • InTheMoorlandsInTheMoorlands Posts: 161
    @InTheMoorlands The growbags are on a stone base so I've poured a liberal dose of salt around them.  That should help, until it starts to rain that is.


    ...and it's just started raining :/

    Just ordered these (first on the list)

    https://www.dogowner.co.uk/pet-friendly-slug-pellets/


    At about 750 feet on the western edge of The Pennines.  Clay soil.  
  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    Hey.  I have the same problem - Pak Choi demolished and lettuces chomped.  Pellets is the only answer but it's the same every year.

    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • InTheMoorlandsInTheMoorlands Posts: 161
    Hey.  I have the same problem - Pak Choi demolished and lettuces chomped.  Pellets is the only answer but it's the same every year.


    I'm a bit puzzled as within a few feet of the Pak Choi are lettuce, spinach and rocket.  All in troughs and which have been unaffected by snails and slugs for the three years that we have been growing them

    At about 750 feet on the western edge of The Pennines.  Clay soil.  
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Lettuce in the polytunnel together with the pak choi was unaffected. However the rocket was attacked by the whites after they had taken all the leaves of the kohl rabi. Never known rocket to be attacked by the caterpillars before but then they are in the same family. They are all growing (or not) in the polytunnel.
  • InTheMoorlandsInTheMoorlands Posts: 161
    This is the first time I've used slug pellets for many years.  They came with no instructions, apart from put near the plants.  Have I used too, much too little or should I have done something else:


    These are the pellets that were used:


    Thanks

    At about 750 feet on the western edge of The Pennines.  Clay soil.  
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I haven't used them but I think they should be scattered much more thinly and reapplied when they've disappeared (either through being eaten by slugs or washing away).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That amount is likely to attract more slugs rather than disposing of the few that might be present. If they're similar in that respect to the usual kind.
    I can't grow lettuce outside here reliably unless I do the pot raised in a trough of water method, and even then, the odd slug can get in. Some varieties are a little easier than others though.
    Rocket was never touched - I only ever grow the wild one though ,which many people don't like. 

    It's often the small slugs that do the most damage though - with any plant.  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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