Another Snail/Slug question - Orchid Board

Paula Frayne · #1 08-07-2010, 09:58 AM

Hi everyone,

Through the board, I have detected that I have a snail and/or slug problem affecting a few of my phals which are on the lowest rack of a 4 tiered metal greenhouse. I thought that putting the greenhouse on a cement patio slab would deter those little critters but to no avail.

Anyways, I am going to apply Safer's slug & snail killer to remedy the problem. My question is, can I put the pellets intermittently around the inside edge of the pots (the pots are all 6'' in diameter and the plants are potted in bark)? These damaged phals sit approx. 5'' off the cement patio slab and I was going to put these pellets on the cement as well.

I can't dunk the plants as I have read to do because they are moist - I will try that in a day or two when they are dry. If I use an apple or potato as bait, could I put these pieces under the plants on the cement as well?

Thanks for reading and thanks for your help,

Paula

Lars Kurth · #2 08-07-2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Anyways, I am going to apply Safer's slug & snail killer to remedy the problem. My question is, can I put the pellets intermittently around the inside edge of the pots (the pots are all 6'' in diameter and the plants are potted in bark)?

I have a concrete base too and they get in. I don't use pellets, but liquid. Tried pellets: they start to look ugly very quickly, fall into your substrate and dont really work.

fotofashion · #3 08-07-2010, 07:20 PM

This is the first year I have had a real problem with snails. My principal remedy? Go out about 10:30 pm with a good flashlight and pick them off. Dispose of them however you think best. For me applying sudden pressure with a well-aimed shoe works just fine.

I bought a jug of Sluggo and have spread that around. I also used potato slices and caught a few that way, too. I have picked off close to 60 in the last few weeks so my problem is close to under control but I will not relax. I still go out with the flashlight and still find a couple. I hope you find a practical method of control. Seeing your precious plants under attack hurts.
Beverly A.

Gin · #4 08-07-2010, 08:31 PM

Hi ,I lived close to a river ,slugs were thick ,my greenhouse was on a cement slab and they would get in. I used the liquid bait and put rock salt around the base outside .
I read Diatomaceous Earth the swimming pool filter media scattered around the bench legs will help or sitting the legs in containers of soapy water or ?

Paula Frayne · #5 08-07-2010, 09:06 PM

Thank you everyone for all the advice!

I'm going in armed with great some info

.

Paula

Lars Kurth · #6 08-08-2010, 07:11 AM

Paula,

on Gardeners question time this weekend, the following trick was mentioned. Take out half an orange (can be the remains of squeezed oranges) on the greenhouse floor before dark. Collect a few hours later. Apparently slugs prefer orange and other sweet fruit to fresh growth on plant. Not sure it works, but I will give it a go. But it probablky works better than potatoe wedges.

For me the hunting down approach only works to a degree: in a greenhgouse that is very full, one missed slug can create a lot of damage and often it is not easy to find them in a full greenhouse.

Lars

fotofashion · #7 08-08-2010, 12:49 PM

Lars: For me the key to having success with the "hunting them down" technique is consistency. I go out EVERY night. Yes, one slug or snail can wreak havoc but eventually you can get the upper hand. And note, I don't rely on that exclusively. I also am using a bait and have used potato slices.
It is funny (relatively) that only certain plants seem to be the special target of the snails. Two dendrobium species plants and a Phal. or two and maybe here and there I find a snail on another type of plant. I may not have a large greenhouse full of plants but my plant table is getting more and more crowded which makes it harder to find the pests and requires extra vigilance.
Everyone has different conditions so there is no "one technique cures all". It will, undoubtedly, require experimentation to see just what will work for you and for me.
Beverly A.

RosieC · #8 08-08-2010, 04:29 PM

Another way I spot the tiny slugs and snails is when I water I soak up to the top of the pot. The snails and slugs will come out to the surface if you soak for at least 1/2 an hour and you can pick them off the top. You need to soak long enough though otherwise they stay hidden in the medium.

fotofashion · #9 08-08-2010, 10:40 PM

Another "remedy" but rather impractical for a large number of plants is one I was forced into because of a snail eating the new growth on a Phal. gigantea. I bought a couple of yards of white nylon net-the cheapest kind-, cut a piece big enough to cover the plant and reach to the bottom of the pot and put a rubber band around it to keep the net in place. I can water and fertilize through the net. If I have problems with snails eating flowers, I will do the same, in fact, I did do this with the flower stalk of an Lc. Happy Face and saved it from destruction.
The mesh bags from "baggy orchids" from Lowe's also work for this to a certain extent but the net is more versatile.
Beverly A.