What has eaten my Pumpkin?!

[Hollie the Wollie]

This morning, my two small Pumpkin plants were doing very well, small but well!

I came home from work to see that something has eaten two leaves off both of the plants... leaving just one leaf each!

What could work so quickly? Will they be ok with just one leaf? I am cross and upset!!!

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Hollie, that damage is probably caused by slugs or snails. You should have a good look through your veg plants to see if there are any snails hiding or slugs lurking. If you have any metal scouring pads then put them around the plants as the slugs hate them - it is one of Mark's great tips.

[jeny]

apparently rings of plastic bottles cut with pinking shears are like glass to slugs and snails. Then pop them round the stem.

[Newtothis]

Originally Posted by jeny

apparently rings of plastic bottles cut with pinking shears are like glass to slugs and snails. Then pop them round the stem.

Thanks Jeny for that tip!

[jeny]

I am too, I've been working with coffee grounds but I dont think I made a thick enough ring.

[Hollie the Wollie]

Oh dear! Well I went on a snail hunt yesterday and must have picked out around 30. I was previously just throwing them to another part of the garden... but I'm afraid they pushed their luck with me so they ended up in a bucket of very salty water!

I will definitely try some of the suggestions. What I did notice was that the netting I put around my strawberries kept the snails out of those!

Do you think that the Pumpkins will be ok?!

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Hollie, even if you threw the snails next door the little devils will still come back as they have a homing device - like racing pigeons!! If you go out at night with a torch you should be able to catch the slugs. I like secateurs - one snip and they are 'despatched'!

Do your pumpkin plants still have the growing tip?

[Hollie the Wollie]

Originally Posted by Lesley Jay

If you go out at night with a torch you should be able to catch the slugs. I like secateurs - one snip and they are 'despatched'!

Is imagining Lesley running around the garden in PJs snipping and slugs with secateurs!!!

[Hollie the Wollie]

Not sure what a growing tip is Lesley - the pictures are exactly what I can see!

I've heard people using copper rings around plants to ward off slugs/snails. I was told it gives them an electric shock or something to that effect. Anyone had an experience with this and does it work?

I have some copper sheets at home, although very very thin (for crafts) it should essentially do the same job I pressume?!

[stupo74]

Hi Hollie,
The "Boss Lady" running around the garden in her "Jim Jams"

Probably, no need for the secateurs

The "Fright" of such an experience, would probably be enough

Happy Days,,,, cheers stupo. (now waiting for 1st card of the season)

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by stupo74

Hi Hollie,
The "Boss Lady" running around the garden in her "Jim Jams"

Probably, no need for the secateurs

The "Fright" of such an experience, would probably be enough

Happy Days,,,, cheers stupo. (now waiting for 1st card of the season)

You cheeky ***** Paul

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by Hollie the Wollie

Not sure what a growing tip is Lesley - the pictures are exactly what I can see!

I've heard people using copper rings around plants to ward off slugs/snails. I was told it gives them an electric shock or something to that effect. Anyone had an experience with this and does it work?

I have some copper sheets at home, although very very thin (for crafts) it should essentially do the same job I pressume?!

Hi Hollie, Between the two leaves (or rather one leaf and a bit of the other leaf) is where the new leaves grow from. This is where the growing tip is and it's like a little rosette or bud of tiny leaves all tightly snuggled together - a bit like the centre of a baby gem lettuce. On the top photo I can just see the big leaf - an overhead view would be good.

Copper does work. I watched a programme where as soon as the slugs touched the copper they turned around and went. Don't let them win!!

[stupo74]

Hi "Boss"
Never heard of that veg before Cheeky ******?????
Sounds like a variety of "Lettuce" but can't be sure
How much of a relief No cards this time

All in a days fun "Boss"
cheers paul

[Hollie the Wollie]

Thanks so much for your advice all! I have checked on them now and it does seem that there may be some additional growth already. Here are the pics...





I have put these copper ring things around them... lets hope the naughty snails and slugs keep at bay!

[Hollie the Wollie]

Well, I put the copper rings around the plants and when I woke up this morning there were snails and their trails all around the plants but not on the pumpkins themselves! So, I would say that's a result personally!

I gathered them up and put them in the "bucket o' death" as it's now entitled!

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by Hollie the Wollie

Well, I put the copper rings around the plants and when I woke up this morning there were snails and their trails all around the plants but not on the pumpkins themselves! So, I would say that's a result personally!

I gathered them up and put them in the "bucket o' death" as it's now entitled!

Yes Hollie a brilliant result!!

One thing though, have the crafting sheets of copper got a non copper backing?? Because the slugs might hide underneath!

[Hollie the Wollie]

They do have a non copper backing, so I folded it length-ways so it was thicker and then made it into a ring with the copper on the outside! It seems to have done the trick... or I just happened to get them just as they were on their way to my Pumps! Either way - they will not be eating them and they got chucked in the bucket!

[Hollie the Wollie]

Lesley - from the newest images, do you think the Pumpkins will survive? It looks like that on at least one there is a new leaf forming.

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by Hollie the Wollie

Lesley - from the newest images, do you think the Pumpkins will survive? It looks like that on at least one there is a new leaf forming.

In a nut shell Hollie, YES!!! You have new growth on both plants which is great!! It just looks as if the slugs have eaten one outside leaf. Apparently the new growth is the tastiest part for slugs so be on patrol.

[Hollie the Wollie]

Originally Posted by Lesley Jay

In a nut shell Hollie, YES!!! You have new growth on both plants which is great!! It just looks as if the slugs have eaten one outside leaf. Apparently the new growth is the tastiest part for slugs so be on patrol.

I will be on the lookout that's for sure! My little dog, Mabel, seemed to be a little scared of snails and barked when she saw some - this may work to my advantage! Watch out slimey critters!!!