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Help - disaster!!!!

I have lovingly tended my Gunnera Manicata through the winter - tucked him in under his leaves and fleece, put a mini greenhouse type cover over him, and opened that every day to allow air to circulate (except on very cold or windy days).  Was thrilled when I peeped under his covers 3 weeks ago to see 2 leaves starting to sprout - hooray!  Looked at him today - disaster!!  Slugs have eaten one of the leaf stems almost all the way through!  What should I do?  Still need to cover him I think as still quite cold - should I just use fleece?  Slug pellets?  I am very fond of this plant..... image

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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,064

    Slug pellets definitely and maybe a liquid tonic of rose or tomato food to give it a boost and help it recover.

    Next year, instead of the mini greenhouse, just bury it deep under a pile of good garden compost which will protect the crown from frosts.  You can peg some fleece over it too if you like then just watch for the new stems growing through a bit later on when the temps are more reliable and not needing all the coddling.

    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
  • Lovely thanks!  Was just gutted to see the slugs having a party on it after it had made it this far through the winter! xxx

     

  • Hi Sertolicel! 

    Another great option is to set out some beer as a slug trap. Slugs really love beer and the idea behind this trap is that the slugs will be drawn to the beer and will drown in it. In order for this trap to work, however, you'll just have to make sure that the container is deep enough for the slugs to get in without being able to get out and also that the slugs will be able to get in somewhat easily.

    Good luck!

  • Thanks GSR - thats a great idea!  I am now officially at war with the slimy little critters, so anything that bumps them off is good! xx image image

     

  • Thats interesting - never considered nematodes.  Nothings too much trouble if it keeps my Gunnera happy.........image

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    I'm in N Devon, and I never cover my gunneras up. We have about  4 of them around and the only thing which ate them were some sheep we had on site. As the bulk of the plant is submerged / growing in the lake, they couldn't reach very far.

    Dried Bracken is said to be very good for winter protection if you need it.

    Devon.
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