Clematis stunted growth

[Marb67]

Well, another new plant that isn't doing well. Clematis Sarah Elisabeth leaves stunted as if eaten. Can't be slugs as they don't touch Clematis so what is it please?

[Peanut]

It will be snails Marb, they love the new shoots of clematis. I have a Betty Corning clematis growing up through a clump of bluebells. The snails hide in the bluebells during the day and climb up to eat the clematis shoots at night.

[Andraste]

Something's definitely had a good munch haven't they good news though marb is g3s get a hard prune in spring - to about a foot - so it shouldn't have trouble recovering

[Andraste]

Now I've woken up a bit, could it be earwigs munching?

[Jungle Jane]

I find large snails tucked into the trellis by the clematis,unless they get large from all the eating🤔

[Andraste]

I think it's most likely going to be slugs/snails too given the leaves have been eaten completely right back to the stalk. There is a moth caterpillar (can't remember what it's called) that can do the same sort of damage in early spring but I've not experienced that myself.

I'm guessing you'll already know that an easy way to check if it's earwigs - because they like to feast at night - is to fill a small pot with shredded bits of newspaper & pop it upside-down on a cane next to the affected plant. The earwigs will use that as a nice cosy place to sleep in the day so you can check the pots in daytime & squish the little blighters. They do tend to make holes in leaves rather than eat the whole thing though.

As slugs/snails tend to be around more at night too so maybe a torchlit investigation might be the best plan to spot (& squash) what's doing the damage?

[Marb67]

I haven't seen anything at night and never had any problems with Clematis in the past being eaten. I have sprinkled eggshells around the base of the plant, but if I see anything, I will pick them off but NOT kill them. I collect and release next day up the country lanes in the edge of the field. You may think i'm soft but that's the way I am.

[Andraste]

Not soft at all Marb

I read somewhere about slugs and snails having a homing instinct & being quite territorial! As long as they're a certain distance away though, where they have a food source etc. ,there is a limit to how far they'll travel. I'm sure google will tell you what the minimum distance is if you're interested

[Marb67]

I heard that years ago but I think it's probably cobblers. Why would a snail need to take the time and effort to return to its original location if there is adequate food in the area it's taken? If it was im sure. Someone would have made some money out of the sport of homing snails That said, I went out last evening and a slug was eating the foliage even after crushed Eggshells and coffee granules around the base.

[smallblueplanet]

AI Overview
Yes, snails have a strong homing instinct and often return to their original feeding spots. Research shows they can navigate back to their "home patch" if moved over short distances, generally up to 10–20 metres, but they will likely struggle to return if moved further away.

Key Findings on Snail Homing:
The 20-Metre Rule: While they return from across the garden, studies suggest that taking them at least 20 metres (approx. 65 feet) away—perhaps to a distant park or wild area—will stop them from returning.

• "Snail Mail" Experiment: A famous BBC News experiment found that "core" members of a garden's snail population consistently returned to their home after being displaced by residents.
• Why They Return: They prefer to return to comfortable, familiar spots that offer protection from predators and the sun.

[Marb67]

Oh well, I'm safe as it's over half a mile away.

[Marb67]

Well, after intense spraying with garlic peppermint water, lots of crushed eggshells and coffee granules around the base and yet slugs still eating the new shoots. Riddle me that one!

[Mark Rand]

Slugs aren't bothered by garlic, mint, eggshells or coffee...
Try ferric phosphate slug bait.

[Nicos]

Mark - Marb doesnt want slug killers- just deterrents

[Marb67]

Slugs aren't bothered by garlic, mint, eggshells or coffee...
Try ferric phosphate slug bait.

"Crushed eggshells act as a natural, physical barrier against slugs and snails by creating a sharp, abrasive texture they dislike crossing"

"Coffee granules (grounds) act as a natural, non-toxic slug barrier through both caffeine toxicity and abrasive texture"

Well they don't touch my hostas after garlic water. I saw a chap on GW years ago who grew them give that tip. I have now resorted to using thin mesh I get my logs in until they get some good growth.