A Snail!
 

I found a super tiny snail on one of my paph's substrate today! I took a look around, and also noticed what is some possible snail damage on a new phal root. I have never had snails in my collection, and am worried that they could damage my current in bud orchids, as well as my delicate carnivorous plants. I know they eat bugs but I have some nepenthes seedlings I don't want to get munched up.

I am planning on baiting with some veggies tonight to see if there are any more, and watering with hydrogen peroxide at the next watering (sometime this or next). Has anyone used hydrogen peroxide with good results for this purpose, and if so what mixture did you use?

Does anyone have experience with snails; I've read that they're fairly common. I don't want these guys to ruin my plants!

Those little, tiny snails are very likely bush snails. They live in the substrate. They can be quite damaging to new roots, Not big enough to chew through leaves like their big cousins, they can strip off the cuticle. Because they live hidden in the damp substrate, snail baits (which work by dessicating the snails) don't do much. The only thing that I know of to knock them down is to repot - rinse off old medium well, pot into fresh. A drier environment discourages them.

They're super-common, may have hitchhiked in a new acquisition. (I know one old-time grower who claimed that there two kinds of growers, those who had bush snails and those who needed new glasses) I haven't had a lot of problem with them, but sometimes they'll show up when things are wet after water or a rain. If they do, repot time...

Thanks so much! I found it in my paph. delenatii that just came into bloom. I know you had mentioned before that this shouldn't really affect the bloom much, is that correct?

Flower should be OK. I assume that you removed and "dispatched' the one you found. Just be on the lookout, especially right after watering. Let it bloom, then repot when it's done.

I ment to quote you in the last reply! And thanks again so much for your help! :)

---------- Post added at 08:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:16 PM ----------


Oh yes, I am on snail destruction mode now. I will be certain to keep an eye out for more and report soon. Thanks again for your help, Roberta! :)

I got rid of these the first time with Sevin (Carbaryl) but, then, a little over a year ago, they came with an orchid purchase and, by the time I noticed them, they were doing some real damage on my orchids and other plants. This time, I used instant coffee crystals on the orchids (which I watered in) and coffee grounds on all the other plants and this has completely eliminated them. So, either Sevin or concentrated coffee should do the trick.
Good luck!

Nice. I wonder if a fairly pure liquid caffeine solution mix of suitable concentration added into the media can keep them at bay.

Very intuitive solutions, especially the coffee grounds. About how many were you using, and with the sevin, were you using it full strength: as a root soak, or a foliage spray?

Check the ph of whatever is added to the media .... just in case.

Surprised that nobody has mentioned the timeproven old remedy: Beer.

Snails are attracted to the smell of yeast. From time to time I take plastic water bottles, drill 2-3 holes with a 3/8" bit through the side, about half way up. Then I add about 2" of beer**, cap it, and place it between plants showing signs of uninvited guests.

Snails (slugs) will follow the scent, and drown themselves in the beer.

** The cheapest I can find. Won't waste the good stuff on these critters.