I grow a lot of Hostas, 1 or 2 have just disappeared, a few have the odd hole but 1 ends up like a lace curtain!!! This is snails not slugs. I think the ones that have vanished may have been slugs. what i dont understand is why one next to another may nt have a mark on it. By the way i also cant keep delphiniums for more than one night!!!
I have had an increasing collection of Hostas for years now. All are grown in pots and whilst I have never found slugs on them snails are abundant. Any barrier (eggshells, sand, hair etc.) works to a degree but overhanging leaves foil the barrier effect. Coffee grounds are said to work but I have heard recently that using used coffee grounds in the water is a killer for both slugs and snails. This advice comes from Vietnam orchid enthusiasts of which there are many. (I have a close link with VN) I have not tried it yet but plan so to do this season. It is said that the caffeine in the coffee has the same effect to raise their heartbeat with lethal consequences.
I grow a couple of varieties of Hostas in borders and have always had major problems with slugs and snails - despite encouraging birds into the garden (although the blackbirds always look as if they are doing their best). As I have both cats and dogs I am reluctant to use pellets so this year have bought some copper slug rings by mail order and have already put them around the emerging shoots - seems to be working so far!...
I've got my hostas in pots with fine grit on the soil, these pots in turn sit in a tray which has a good level of grit too - the last 2 years the hostas have been fine.
I was talking with a friend the other day and she said she had heard that vaseline put just under the rim of the pot helps deter slugs and snails. Haven't tried it yet, but it sounds quite logical.
I just love Hostas, I have about 50 different ones, most of my dwarf hostas i keep in the green house in similar settings to a alpine house, the larger ones in the garden, i find the only way to keep slugs and snails at bay is to check them every couple of days in the early evening or after it has rained, collect all the snails and slugs up in a plastic contains and on the way to work which is along country lanes i let them go theres no houses about so they will not trouble anybody else they have to live too, but not in my garden you will soon cut their numbers down in your garden.
If you put bran (under a tile or similar to keep it dry) close to vulnerable plants the slugs and snails will eat that instead of beloved plants, with the added satisfaction of seeing that they sort of explode with the swelling bran the birds and other wild life will then clear up the mess without coming to any harm. This method actually works, its inexpensive and perfectly safe for pets, and children too.
I've never grown Hostas for myself but have the care of them in my clients gardens. They seem to flourish in dappled shade and not over moist locations - with very little slug damage; but when planted in a main bed they become, 'plat de jour',to anything that moves. My client of several years standing developed a crush on them last year, and as the plants have arrived, I've settled them in shady spots; but as I've been asked to corner the Hosta market at our local charity plant sale - new places and slug solutions will have to be found, so the 'bran' tip and planting in tubs is timely - thankyou happy gardening
I grow hostas both in the ground and in pots and I have always used garlic to deter the slugs and snails.Sprinkle with powder or granules,makes no difference,as soon as the tips appear.The slugs and snails hate it!My hostas are beautiful.
Slugs and snails will remain a problem as long as there are gardens; but whatever method of removal do not use pellets. Not ever. Instead of recommending them Gardeners World should be campaigning for their removal from the shelves. After our greedy dog died a long and painful death because she could not read that the pellets were an animal repellent, I researched the internet. Government data sheets confirm that metaldahide kills wildlife, cats, dogs, birds and small children. We will not submit even slugs and snails to such a terrible end.
Posts