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Slugs eating my Chinese Elm
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Author:  cmarkr [ 22 May 2020, 14:23 ]
Post subject:  Slugs eating my Chinese Elm

Has anyone else experienced slugs eating their Chinese Elms? Mine has been trying to push out leaves for at least a month now but they just keep disappearing, I see tiny green specks appear and then they're gone within days. Thankfully it's still trying to push them out but I'm sure it's not long before it runs out of energy. I peppered the surface of the pot with slug pellets a week ago when I realised what was happening and the result was a lot of slime but that still doesn't seem to have done the trick - after some initial improvement the tiny leaves are all gone again. I've reapplied and moved it out of the greenhouse to avoid heat stress now we're past the frosts but the blackbirds are likely to attack it outside (I know there hardy but it had a tough summer/autumn so wanted to give it a little extra protection).

Author:  keithmart [ 22 May 2020, 14:39 ]
Post subject:  Re: Slugs eating my Chinese Elm

Hi

Firstly GET RID of the slug pellets. They are designed to attract slugs to eat them and subsequently die. Slugs will also eat anything around them as well.

Slug pellets are also poison to birds and hedgehogs. not good.

To deter slugs, a good way that works is to surround the pot with copper tape. The slugs do not like crossing over copper as it reacts with their slime and gives them an electric shock.

If you can't get tape copper wire will do.

an ebay link to copper tape:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... cat=181034


I hope this helps, but are you sure you are not over watering, as slugs like cool damp places.

Author:  Will [ 22 May 2020, 14:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: Slugs eating my Chinese Elm

If you can't get tape copper wire will do.

an ebay link to copper tape:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... cat=181034


I purchased loads of this tape a few years ago to go around my Hosta's in pots and i have to say it was a complete wast of time tbh i still had the problems with slugs ;-)

Author:  keithmart [ 22 May 2020, 15:20 ]
Post subject:  Re: Slugs eating my Chinese Elm

Hi Will

I think hostas are the worst plants for slugs.

Copper tape around the pots works for me. Maybe it has something to do with Yorkshire slugs :bigsmil:

Author:  Brendan [ 22 May 2020, 17:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Slugs eating my Chinese Elm

I have a live and let live approach to most critters But not slugs. I really seriously hate them. I go slug hunting every so often as they just turn my stomach if I happen across them by accident - better to be expecting them. They go into my black bin.

I have 2 small dogs so pellets aren't an option.

And it seems nothing eats slugs? What amazes me is how well they climb.

Author:  richardb [ 22 May 2020, 18:02 ]
Post subject:  Re: Slugs eating my Chinese Elm

Bear in mind that most bonsai wire is actually coated aluminium wire. Also sharp fine grit on top of the pots as they do not like this either

Author:  keithmart [ 22 May 2020, 20:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: Slugs eating my Chinese Elm

Hi
Quote:
nothing eats slugs?


HEDGEHOGS do :smallthumb: and so do frogs and toads

Author:  Cuchilo [ 22 May 2020, 21:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: Slugs eating my Chinese Elm

I heard there was a trick to bury a glass of beer in the ground so the slugs fall into it and drown . I can only imagine the reason for doing this is to make the alcohol content of the beer stronger rather than killing slugs .

Author:  cmarkr [ 22 May 2020, 21:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: Slugs eating my Chinese Elm

Thank you for the tips. I think there may have been slug eggs in the pot itself (very loose substrate) as they still seemed to be turning up after I isolated the pot on a shelf. I'm pretty sure the slugs haven't been climbing up to the shelf as the weather's been bone dry for a month and I expect they'll be sticking closer to somewhere moist.

I've read RHS research that found copper isn't effective at stopping slug damage but when I used copper tape on a raised bed I felt it seemed to help.

Interestingly, Hedgehog Street suggests the research on the impact of impact of slug pellets on hedgehogs isn't clear. Regardless I will only use them where I'm trying to save a plant from certain death.

Hosta growers use garlic spray. Haven't tried it myself but I'd guess they're going to be the experts.

I have been watering it daily despite the lack of leaves but the substrate is very free draining and it's a small pot so if rather keep doing that.

I was interested to hear if anyone else had seen slugs eating Chinese Elm new growth. It seems a bit odd to me but I can't think what else is causing them to disappear.

Author:  daryl [ 22 May 2020, 21:24 ]
Post subject:  Re: Slugs eating my Chinese Elm

I have never had slugs eating my trees but we do have a lot in the garden and we have used nematodes in our veg plot. might be worth trying in your bonsai area? The one we use is Nemasys.

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