One of the greatest scurges known to any orchid grower is snails. Forget cats knocking plants over or squirrels chewing on pseudobulbs. I always find the greatest frustration with snails. They are slow movers but can do substantial damage in one night. Even if you grow indoors they might be hiding in the moist areas of the plant, media, mount. They bury themselves in. The reason they are such a scurge is that they love eating the tender tissue found in roots, new growths, and flower buds/blooms. Just when you thought you were gonna see 3 new growths on that special plant BAM!!
You wake up the next morning to find their chewed remains.
You can remove them manually a slice of apple will entice them to gather in one spot for easy removal, also placing stale beer near the plant could work.
Snail bait is another option but read the warning labels especially w kids and pets around. Unfortunately they thrive in moist dark places which we create in order to keep our plants happy.
I too used to think snail were cute, now I chuck them over the neighbors fence whenever I see them. New borns are pretty easy to squash w/o the crunch
To all new growers, beware the shelled assassins!! Not talking TMNT either
Linear Mode
