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Hi there,

Complete newbie as you may have gathered form previous posts.

I have 3 pepper plants in my greenhouse - my neighbour suggested i shoudl be putting slug pellets around the bottom of the plants - is this advisable??

many thanks,
neil

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Bike Vietnam Challenge for Cerebral Palsy
16th - 27th October 2008
www.neilbikevietnam.com

I would, but many here wouldn't. Won't damage the plant, just depends on your gardening approach (ie organic v chemicals)
Entirely up to you - it will stop the buggars from eating your carefully grown plants though!

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Tx

Instead of putting the pellets round the plants as a matter of course, I would have a careful look to see if there is any sign of slugs or snails in your greenhouse. If your pepper plants are in pots on the staging they should be safe.

Hi there,

My pepper plants are in a gor bag - I cant see any slugs or snales, and to be honest - I really dont want to be killing them

I have noticed some little holes on th leafes of my pepper plants though - see attached pic. Any idea's what's causing these? If it is slugs is there any humane way of stopping it?




ImageShack - Hosting :: dsc01460ht8.jpg

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Bike Vietnam Challenge for Cerebral Palsy
16th - 27th October 2008
www.neilbikevietnam.com

Fear not, they aren't slug or snail holes. Don't worry about it, the holes are tiny.

Gor bag? Oh, grow bag. Keep an eye on your plants ~ when you water them, watch out for munched leaves. Snails will eat great chunks out of young plants, but they aren't so bothered with older, tougher growth.

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

If they are unaffected so far, then you're lucky and maybe try the organic approach - copper rings, that sort of thing. Don't get complacent about staging, though. My greenhouse is all staged and the slimy critters can't half move when they want to! FIRST sign of damage, move the peppers and treat with pellets (I tried to buy organic a few weeks ago and everywhere either didn't sell or had sold out!).

copper rings??

Neil

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Bike Vietnam Challenge for Cerebral Palsy
16th - 27th October 2008
www.neilbikevietnam.com

Hi, wilkinsonplus appear to have some in stock at the moment - I find they do go pretty quick though!

Growing Success Advanced Slug Killer Rainproof Pellets 575g at Wilkinson Plus

Toads are pretty handy in greenhouses too; snacking on snails, slugs and other insects.

I used to have this problem with slugs/snails. I now cover all my tender plantlets with cut down plastic milk bottles overnight (thanks Two Sheds for the tip about old milk bottles) and they seem to be doing fine. I think though,that if I forget to do it one night they will be back with a vengence

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A garden is a lovesome thing, God wot! (Thomas Edward Brown)

I have some little ants crawlig around in my greenhouse - whats the bst way toget rid of these??? do i needto?

thanks again,
Neil

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_________________________________________
Bike Vietnam Challenge for Cerebral Palsy
16th - 27th October 2008
www.neilbikevietnam.com

The worst thing ants seem to do in the greenhouse is try to establish nests in floor standing pots.Rather unpleasant and not recommended for the plant. They colonise black fly onto stems too but that is more so outside than in the greenhouse.Keep the floor wet where possible as they like dry conditions.A puff of ant killer dust at their source helps too.I have just cleared the compost from my neighbours compost bin.Inside was a big ants nest, fascinating but disgusting too.

you can buy copper rings for the base of plants. apparently slugs and snails dont like it. you do need to do somthing as i lost all my peppers and chillis to slugs last year. there is a blue organic pellt available not nice but if you want to keep your plants!

Do slugs and snails eat the actual green peppers? Something is really having a go at mine

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Off to China