It was not a pretty sight. Almost over night my magnificent hosta in a pot (sieboldiana since you ask) has been munched and munched again.
This was how it looked yesterday morning...
Not a pretty site I'm sure you'll agree.
There had been some damage a couple of days before that I had noticed when we were sitting out enjoying the evening sun with a glass of wine...
And out of the corner of my eye I saw that the plant in the pot was looking slightly frayed round the edges and not it's usual majestic self with gently unfurling shafts of green leaves.
Some damage had already been done and I picked out several slimy offenders,11 in all. Thinking that was that I didn't look at the pot again until the next day. There was more damage and I picked out more snails hiding under the rim.
Your garden sounds almost as sluggy as mine - how strange that they all picked on the same plant. I have tried hostas before and love them but they simply get annhilated. Pass me that bottle Janet it looks so refreshing - it is like the inside of an oven at the moment.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet,
ReplyDeleteSorry to see you've got some slug damage! It's so annoying, isn't it?
I ususally do slug patrols at dusk and in the morning; they get to go on holiday in the black bin.
I haven't had much damage here for the past year or two, but I suspect it's due to having a ratty move in last year... Haven't seen any sign of it for a long time (lots of cats around here) but I also don't have slug/snail problems so I suspect it must still be around somewhere.
Bit torn on that one as I don't want to kill the poor thing but I also don't want it in the garden! (it lives next door but comes into ours) and since it's doing such a good job of stopping the molluscs...
Those left alone looks lovely and pristine, thankfully they were spared but it does fascinate why one particular hosta was picked on by loads of slugs and snails. And as you said they went through the trouble of climbing the decking and pot to get to the luscious leaves.
ReplyDeleteGarlic spray might work on your potted hosta. Btw, the second pic is lovely!
I have not had trouble with slugs. I have seen toads and snakes in the garden so they may be taking care of the problem. It is odd that they would gather in your pot. Maybe it was warmer in there.
ReplyDeleteDon't tell me this! I have just decided to buy some Hostas this winter (first time ever) and was feeling all excited about it. Still, it's better to know and take precautions, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteThe old slug-and-snail-ganging-up-on-one-plant-trick, eh? I find the organic slug pellets work well. Lovely QON tulips - I'm jealous. Dave
ReplyDeleteI only grow hostas in pots but even then they get mauled. Fortunately this year with this dry spell only one has been got and not too badly. Like David I use the organic slug pellets. A few scattered about seem to do the trick. Oh famous last words. No doubt tomorrow I'll wake up to a hosta massacre!
ReplyDeleteMaybe that hosta is tastier than the others. :o) Set out a beer trap and they can drink themselves to death. Don't get fancy - slugs are cheap drunks.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, slugs can sense a slightly weakened plant and concentrate on it. That said, I don't understand slug mentality - they never touch my hostas, but eat all sorts of tough and inappropriate things.
ReplyDeleteI agree that slugs can sense when a plant is ailing, how about self adhesive copper tape round your pot, it has worked well round some here. Apparantly their slime reacts with the copper and they get a little electric shock - what a shame! Your hostas in the ground look fantastic.
ReplyDeleteHey Janet! It's so disappointing when apparently all the slug in the area point a same plant in only one night time. They can really make a big damage! Sorry for your hosta, the pot looks beautiful and it's a shame you probably need to hide it for all the rest of the season... Drink some more wine and forget it!
ReplyDeleteThat one must be especially tasty!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that I would gladly trade you a slug or two for a black widow spider and then looked more closely at the slugs... At least the black widows hide when they see you looking at them. Your evening on the deck looks like it was absolutely glorious.
ReplyDelete