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Slugs on Delphiniums.

cowslip2cowslip2 Posts: 137
in Problem solving

A query from a friend. Delphiniums are very attractive to slugs, and my friend has heard that something called ALUM is a successful deterrent. She has learnt that it can be bought by the ton, but wonders where small quantities can be obtained. Is anyone aware of this product, or indeed any experience of its use in this way? 

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    There seems to be plenty of 500g and 1kg packs listed on amazon.co.uk

    I use crushed, baked, eggshells around my delphiniums.

  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    Wow.  Just read the Wikipaedia entry for alum.  Useful stuff.  But slugs aren't mentioned.

  • Jimmy CrawfordJimmy Crawford Posts: 468

    Not sure about Alum as a mineral, but Aluminium foil reputedly works almost as well as copper foil. 

    Dried eggshells, fine gravel or coffee grounds all get my vote.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,142

    Putting 'alum slugs gardening' into Google brings up nothing at all, so if there are gardeners out there using it successfully they're certainly not talking about it - that doesn't make me very hopeful that it works. image

    A bit more reading reveals that exposure to low levels of alum can cause serious lung damage, neurological disease and some cancers.

    http://chemistry.about.com/od/foodchemistryfaqs/f/Is-Alum-Safe.htm

    Don't think I'll be spreading it around my garden image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698

    I think it is aluminium sulphate that is injurious to slugs. Apparently it can make the soil more acidic but I do not know what affect it has on animals.

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    • Copper sulphate, bordeaux mixture, alum. They cause copper poisoning of the land in the long term.
    • Salt. This is poisonous to most crops and the land.

    just found this on the net, it's only a tiny bit of the article so not covered by copy rightimageimage (hopefully)

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    Bordeaux mixture contains copper sulphate (or is it nitrate?).  Alum (the usual potassium aluminium sulphate) clearly doesn't: I'd guess it's the aluminium that's toxic.  But it ain't organic - and nor is Bordeaux mixture, strictly speaking although I think it's 'permitted'.

    I think the Romans (or someone) scattered salt on their enemies' land once they'd conquered them to make sure they couldn't grow crops.

    Personally I'd be reluctant to use anything on the garden that hasn't come from a living organism (with the possible exception of rainwater) but chacun a son gout, as I said recently in another thread.

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