My hostas this year look truly sad. Days of constant drizzle resulted in the failure of slug pellets to destroy the offending creatures and, for some reason, copper tape does absolutely nothing to repel them.
Thank goodness for cacti and those fearful thorns/spines that protect them from all evil creatures. My 16 year old cactus is just flowering again, such a brief but thrilling joy!
I heard one of the radio gardening experts say you shouldn't chop slugs with scissors. Slugs contain something toxic to some plants and you transfer this substance to the scissors when you release the slug innards. This can't be washed off the scissors easily even after you get the slime off. Don't know if that is true! I drop slugs into a bag with a tablespoon of salt in it! Mags
Some great ideas...thanks! I'm going to try a few, especially spreading some suet nearby so birds may stumble upon the slugs! If all else fails then copper pots!!
I was interested in this particular thread as my hostas too have been badly eaten by slugs this year. I must admit when I saw the photo of the cactus I thought to myself, somebody doesn't know what a hosta looks like! However, after reading your post I realised that my assumption was entirely wrong. I note, though, you don't include a picture of your hostas so I imagine they are every bit as unsightly as mine are at the moment! Copper pots might, indeed, be the solution, who knows?
Your cactus, though not a hosta(!), is astoundingly beautiful. Goodness, it's huge. I've had one for the past 5 years, very similar type to yours, but, though hardy, hasn't managed to flower yet and it's not a fast grower either.
I see you have it indoors. Isn't it hardy? As for those plant eating nasties, I'm not only certain they wouldn't approach such a fully "armed" potential victim, but being indoors they wouldn't have access to it, I imagine.
Perhaps you could reveal your "tricks" for getting such amazing results with your cactus? PLEASE don't say it thrives on judicial neglect, as I have tried that but mine is still not flowering.
I was interested in this particular thread as my hostas too have been badly eaten by slugs this year. I must admit when I saw the photo of the cactus I thought to myself, somebody doesn't know what a hosta looks like! However, after reading your post I realised that my assumption was entirely wrong. I note, though, you don't include a picture of your hostas so I imagine they are every bit as unsightly as mine are at the moment! Copper pots might, indeed, be the solution, who knows?
Your cactus, though not a hosta(!), is astoundingly beautiful. Goodness, it's huge. I've had one for the past 5 years, very similar type to yours, but, though hardy, hasn't managed to flower yet and it's not a fast grower either.
I see you have it indoors. Isn't it hardy? As for those plant eating nasties, I'm not only certain they wouldn't approach such a fully "armed" potential victim, but being indoors they wouldn't have access to it, I imagine.
Perhaps you could reveal your "tricks" for getting such amazing results with your cactus? PLEASE don't say it thrives on judicial neglect, as I have tried that but mine is still not flowering.
Posts
Coax em on to your Lettuce.
Dew drops, I'd stick the crushed egg shells in the compost bin.
Right, will do Hosta!
Thank goodness for cacti and those fearful thorns/spines that protect them from all evil creatures. My 16 year old cactus is just flowering again, such a brief but thrilling joy!
Last edited: 13 June 2016 17:35:17
I heard one of the radio gardening experts say you shouldn't chop slugs with scissors. Slugs contain something toxic to some plants and you transfer this substance to the scissors when you release the slug innards. This can't be washed off the scissors easily even after you get the slime off. Don't know if that is true! I drop slugs into a bag with a tablespoon of salt in it! Mags
I plantet mine in big copper pots.
Look at car boots or antique fairs for old coal buckets or similar.
Copper always does the trick....
I went to Batemans gardens at the weekend and every single hosta there looked like a doily - a veritable slug festival.
I'm thinking of growing them in pots now too. Will look for copper pots or buckets at summer car boot sales.
Some great ideas...thanks! I'm going to try a few, especially spreading some suet nearby so birds may stumble upon the slugs! If all else fails then copper pots!!
Last edited: 13 June 2016 21:50:26
Hi Danae
I was interested in this particular thread as my hostas too have been badly eaten by slugs this year. I must admit when I saw the photo of the cactus I thought to myself, somebody doesn't know what a hosta looks like! However, after reading your post I realised that my assumption was entirely wrong. I note, though, you don't include a picture of your hostas so I imagine they are every bit as unsightly as mine are at the moment! Copper pots might, indeed, be the solution, who knows?
Your cactus, though not a hosta(!), is astoundingly beautiful. Goodness, it's huge. I've had one for the past 5 years, very similar type to yours, but, though hardy, hasn't managed to flower yet and it's not a fast grower either.
I see you have it indoors. Isn't it hardy? As for those plant eating nasties, I'm not only certain they wouldn't approach such a fully "armed" potential victim, but being indoors they wouldn't have access to it, I imagine.
Perhaps you could reveal your "tricks" for getting such amazing results with your cactus? PLEASE don't say it thrives on judicial neglect, as I have tried that but mine is still not flowering.
Last edited: 13 June 2016 23:38:30
Hi Phaidra, I've replied to your post here: http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/plants/flowering-cactus/983469.html