In mid March we planted a bed of impatiens under our lemon tree. They flourished quickly and became a carpet of fuchsia flowers. We loved seeing them every morning.
And then....
Aggravation!
It was alarming to see that leaves were disappearing and then flowers quickly following suit.
Every morning showed more disastrous results.
"It's the bulbuls!" said mom. The birds had been eating all the buds from her orchids and are her sworn enemies along with the mynahs.
I was dubious because I've never seen birds near the impatiens. Yes, they do go after her orchid buds, but impatiens didn't really seem to be part of their diet.
My prime suspect was slugs, but mom refused to believe it.
Tonight the moon was full and Art suggested that I go check on the remains of the impatiens plants.
There it was! This lone slug was munching on the last few leaves and flowers on my poor plants. No wonder it was so fat and sluggish!
I just hope the rest of his tribe doesn't take his place thinking his territory is now up for grabs.
And then....
Aggravation!
Every morning showed more disastrous results.
"It's the bulbuls!" said mom. The birds had been eating all the buds from her orchids and are her sworn enemies along with the mynahs.
I was dubious because I've never seen birds near the impatiens. Yes, they do go after her orchid buds, but impatiens didn't really seem to be part of their diet.
My prime suspect was slugs, but mom refused to believe it.
Tonight the moon was full and Art suggested that I go check on the remains of the impatiens plants.
There it was! This lone slug was munching on the last few leaves and flowers on my poor plants. No wonder it was so fat and sluggish!
I just hope the rest of his tribe doesn't take his place thinking his territory is now up for grabs.
Slugs! Disgusting critters, aren't they. I hate them, too.
ReplyDeleteEeuw! I hope you at least saw the moon's mini-eclipse last night while you were out in the dark.
ReplyDeleteI remember in the Swiss organic garden where I helped, they would put salt on any slug found, or on its eggs.
There are some nice organic treatments at http://www.thegardenhelper.com/slugs.html .
Good luck with your new problem.
In southern Israel we had swarms of locusts during Passover. The authorities figured if some of the locusts were on bare ground and not on any planted fields, they didn't have to spray them. Wrong! Now there are millions of larvae on the ground, ready to hatch. Oi
We were avoiding putting salt for fear that it would hurt the plants and damage the soil.
DeleteSlugs are the bane of my existence. They are awful. We get something called "sluggo" and put it in the garden for them to eat. Then they crawl away and die. It sounds awful but I really don't know what else to do.
ReplyDeleteAnother remedy I have heard is to sink a small jar into the ground and fill it with beer. Supposedly, the slugs are very attracted to beer and they crawl in and drown. At least they die happy. Of course, then the gardener is left with the yucky task of emptying a jarful of dead slugs.
ReplyDeleteSlugs have some purpose in life - I just wish they'd stick to it and leave the plants alone!!
ReplyDeletepeople don't realize how bad slugs are to the garden, I tried the beer, crushed egg shell around the plants and ashes from the wood stove, the egg shell and the ash worked the best but since you don't have a wood stove you could try crushed egg shell, the store bought slug killer sadly kills other helpful bugs, good luck with this,
ReplyDeleteAh-ha! I think you've just solved the mystery of the exact same crime being committed here when I plant impatiens. I've taken note, believe me, and will be gunning 'em down (the slugs) this coming summer. I've read a saucer of beer works well in killing off slugs. I guess they have a weakness for "the bottle," get drunk, and die.
ReplyDeleteIt's always something...lol!
ReplyDeleteYikes!!!!!
ReplyDeletenasty critter everywhere in the yard
ReplyDeleteWe've had the same mysterious clipping of plant shoots similar to what happened to your mom's orchids. The named suspect left the clipped tomato plant shoot a foot or so away from the pot. In the slug's defense, at least they made a meal of their attack unlike the bulbuls.
ReplyDeleteL...w
Those bulbuls are really nasty even though they are so pretty.
DeleteBleh. I used slug bait at another house, after I stepped barefoot on one on the concrete patio during a nice summer night. So, are the slugs getting Mom's orchid blooms, or something else? I thought she had her orchids covered with netting. Will they hurt the lemon trees? Good luck; wear your shoes outside! DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteWe don't have ALL of mom's plants covered. That would be too hard to do. I think the lemon tree is safe. I'm considering the slug poison, but I think I'll try the egg shell method first.
DeleteI had no idea a slug could cause such destruction.
ReplyDeleteNurseries report that Impatiens are being attacked by a mildew here on the mainland. Hope that pest does not come your way. I planted my Impatiens in a tub on a walkway. Perhaps the slugs won't find it, she said hopefully. Dianne
ReplyDeleteMildew? Doggone it! More things to worry about.
DeleteCaught! :-)
ReplyDeleteTerry went out last night and captured a bag full of slugs and one African snail! Ugh.
ReplyDeleteoh that's so disappointing. Maybe you should plant something they don't like.
ReplyDeleteSlugs are a huge problem here, but they have never bothered my impatiens. Too many other more tasty plants, I guess.
ReplyDeleteOh yikes! Slugs give me the creeps.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, sounds like you have your hands full. Trying to get rid of 'critters' can be a daunting task. Hope you find something that works without a whole lot of extra trouble. good luck, Kay.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful weekend!
Not one of the most endearing creatures I've seen lately! What a nuisance they've made of themselves. Great shots! By the way I gave you an award on my blog :-) - http://seasonsfullcircle.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/liebster-award.html
ReplyDeletePaul, thank you so much for your kindness. However, as noted on my sidebar I decided a few years ago that I can no longer do awards because I just can't choose who to give it to from all my wonderful cyber friends.
DeleteOh, no! Critters destroyed my veggie garden last year. I am going to have low expectations!!!
ReplyDeleteGood grief I didn't think they were that voracious. Fortunately I haven't seen too many of them around here lately.
ReplyDelete