Hi I have grown all my Hostas in pots - slug pellets early in the year (end of Feb beginning March) - copper tape to stick round the pots (looks ok).
Out at night to remove any offenders!
Left mine to flower and all still looking good. All different varieties from Wilkinsons £1 Hosta through to Praying Hands, Queen Josephine and El Nino.
I placed my potted hosta by the pond this year as there are frogs about so didn't use pellets or copper but, and you can guess what I'm going to say, it is such a mess! Holes in leaves, chewed stems. I am so cross with myself for not being more vigilant. I think the eggs must have been in the soil otherwise the frogs would have had a feast.
Decision time, looking at it, I'm going to take off the worst of the leaves, wash the soil off and repotting early with slug pellets in and around the soil.
By the way, I didn't know that the flowers attracted slugs, Verdun.
Mine are damaged before the flowers make an appearance anyway. I've had more trouble this year with them, for two main reasons - there was very little in this garden when I moved in 18 months ago, so there's now more for the little darlings to eat, and also - the mild wet winter. I've noticed that the hostas in pots of any kind have had very little damage - I use grit round them, nothing else - but the ones I put in the ground were decimated, even the tougher ones which are usually pretty slug/snail resistant. From now on, I'll mainly keep mine in pots - at least till there's a better balance of nature here- can't do anything about the weather conditions!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Beautiful, healthy hostas Verdun. I take it they will be as good again next year?
Esspee, I have revised my plan: to trimming off the worst leaves, replaced top inch of soil, given a feed (gen fertiliser), gravel on top and sheltered from wind. Decided to let it die down naturally.
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Hi I have grown all my Hostas in pots - slug pellets early in the year (end of Feb beginning March) - copper tape to stick round the pots (looks ok).
Out at night to remove any offenders!
Left mine to flower and all still looking good. All different varieties from Wilkinsons £1 Hosta through to Praying Hands, Queen Josephine and El Nino.
Keep heart - you will win!!!!
Esspee, hello
I placed my potted hosta by the pond this year as there are frogs about so didn't use pellets or copper but, and you can guess what I'm going to say, it is such a mess! Holes in leaves, chewed stems. I am so cross with myself for not being more vigilant. I think the eggs must have been in the soil otherwise the frogs would have had a feast.
Decision time, looking at it, I'm going to take off the worst of the leaves, wash the soil off and repotting early with slug pellets in and around the soil.
By the way, I didn't know that the flowers attracted slugs, Verdun.
Mine are damaged before the flowers make an appearance anyway. I've had more trouble this year with them, for two main reasons - there was very little in this garden when I moved in 18 months ago, so there's now more for the little darlings to eat, and also - the mild wet winter. I've noticed that the hostas in pots of any kind have had very little damage - I use grit round them, nothing else - but the ones I put in the ground were decimated, even the tougher ones which are usually pretty slug/snail resistant. From now on, I'll mainly keep mine in pots - at least till there's a better balance of nature here- can't do anything about the weather conditions!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Build a good ecosystem is all that's needed. Encourage birds and insects too.
Beautiful, healthy hostas Verdun.
I take it they will be as good again next year?
Esspee, I have revised my plan: to trimming off the worst leaves, replaced top inch of soil, given a feed (gen fertiliser), gravel on top and sheltered from wind. Decided to let it die down naturally.
Lovely hostas Verdun, I especially like the top two. I did have in past years but think I dug them all up last year
Think I want them back now! 