Bought some copper tape recently and managed to do four pots (of varying sizes) and it really does work. I've now run out, so need to buy more to protect echinacea and achillea in the ground from the slugs and snails. At the moment I've got them cloched, my idea is cut up yoghurt pots, pop copper tape around and then put it around the plants. I'll let you know how it works. Just wish it wasn't so expensive!
Yes it is pricey, but rremember what you have paid for your plants, and it does last for ages. If you know a friendly plumber, ask if he/she will give you some of the little scraps of copper pipe they cut off fittings - it's mostly plastic these days I know, but some copper is still used. I put these on the ground around delicate plants, and this seems to help. I am toying with a way of fitting the copper better around the ground plants, maybe on short bit of bamboo or so - must be possible.
Briiliant ideas Bookertoo and Daisy - had wondered how to use copper for plants in the ground!
It really annoys me though that anything eco or organic or non toxic (eg nematodes, copper tape etc) always has to cost a whole fortune more than pesticides - doesn't exactly help nor encourage gardeners in this direction
My hostas are a few years old now and I have managed to divide some for sharing.This year (2013) got about 4 different hostas and they flowered properly for the first time.
One clove of garlic in onelitre water, simmer,half an hour. Strain into a plactic bottle LABEL and keep in fridge. Dilute one Tbls into one litre of water and spray the hostas fortnightly. Works on most of mine but a couple of varieties seem to be nibbled a bit. I also sprinkle a little ring of cinders/ashes around the plants, it helps.
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Bought some copper tape recently and managed to do four pots (of varying sizes) and it really does work. I've now run out, so need to buy more to protect echinacea and achillea in the ground from the slugs and snails. At the moment I've got them cloched, my idea is cut up yoghurt pots, pop copper tape around and then put it around the plants. I'll let you know how it works. Just wish it wasn't so expensive!
Yes it is pricey, but rremember what you have paid for your plants, and it does last for ages. If you know a friendly plumber, ask if he/she will give you some of the little scraps of copper pipe they cut off fittings - it's mostly plastic these days I know, but some copper is still used. I put these on the ground around delicate plants, and this seems to help. I am toying with a way of fitting the copper better around the ground plants, maybe on short bit of bamboo or so - must be possible.
Briiliant ideas Bookertoo and Daisy - had wondered how to use copper for plants in the ground!
It really annoys me though that anything eco or organic or non toxic (eg nematodes, copper tape etc) always has to cost a whole fortune more than pesticides - doesn't exactly help nor encourage gardeners in this direction
hi all update on my hosta now in flower
My hostas are a few years old now and I have managed to divide some for sharing.This year (2013) got about 4 different hostas and they flowered properly for the first time.
Hello.
Does anyone take seed from thier hostas?, if so would you be interested in helping with my seed swap thread?.
One clove of garlic in onelitre water, simmer,half an hour. Strain into a plactic bottle LABEL and keep in fridge. Dilute one Tbls into one litre of water and spray the hostas fortnightly. Works on most of mine but a couple of varieties seem to be nibbled a bit. I also sprinkle a little ring of cinders/ashes around the plants, it helps.