Who's eating my plants?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by pilotax, Aug 27, 2018.

  1. pilotax

    pilotax Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi all,

    sorry for this message...still at my first experience. I planted plug plants last week. I waited 24 hours before covering them with a netting. Few of them were eaten by someone.
    Now, I am concerned there're still being eaten by someone. I remember when I dag the soil two weeks ago I found a brown toad hiding just under the soil and I might think it's still there.

    For slugs, I have beer traps and they're working apparently. But I've seen a single slug so far in all my allotment.


    Here few pictures

    IMG_20180827_115105.jpg IMG_20180827_115054.jpg IMG_20180827_115034.jpg IMG_20180827_115031.jpg IMG_20180827_115041.jpg

    Will my plants survive?

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    Have you checked for caterpillars?
     
  3. Verdun

    Verdun Passionate gardener

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    Hiya pilotax :)

    Could be caterpillars.....have a look under the leaves

    However, I think its slugs or snails that are the culprits :sad:

    Go out there when its dark with a torch and have a look. The sign of a toad suggests two things....its moist there and a food supply there, viz., slugs.
     
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    • pilotax

      pilotax Apprentice Gardener

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      Haven't checked for caterpillars. What's the possible solution?
       
    • Scrungee

      Scrungee Well known for it

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      Pigeons. Net them. Wikos netting is half price to 75% off instore at the moment.

      P.S. Image 3 also has some snail damage.
       
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      • pilotax

        pilotax Apprentice Gardener

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        not many pigeons around.
         
      • Scrungee

        Scrungee Well known for it

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        One's too many.

        That damage is classic pigeon damage (google image search it). They tear the leaf of the stems/veins in chunks, caterpillars, slugs and snails aren't big enough to do that.

        Being freshly planted, I'm surprised they haven't been pulled out the ground, so I assume you firmed the soil down well, and they have nice tender leaves.
         
        Last edited: Aug 27, 2018
      • Phil A

        Phil A Guest

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        I'd agree, pigeons
         
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        • pilotax

          pilotax Apprentice Gardener

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          Well, I misinterpreted. If it's a pigeon, I have netting now, so no problem. However, I had the perception they got eaten after being covered, so a pigeon might not be responsible here (or I am just so concerned, I can't understand if the damage progressed further).
           
        • Scrungee

          Scrungee Well known for it

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          Keep the netting clear of the leaves, rather than letting it rest on the plants, or they'll still be able to get at the leaves. I can't see any support structure in the pics.

          I use Wilko pond netting with small square mesh (rather than the expanding stuff with large diagonal holes that they can stick their heads/beaks through) Wilko Garden Crop and Pond Protection Netting 2mx4m | Wilko It states discontinued, but it's been reduced instore.
           
        • pilotax

          pilotax Apprentice Gardener

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          I bought netting on Amazon; square mesh size is 14mm; 4mx10m (2m was short, and 3m is virtually non-existent).
          It is clear of the leaves and stretched. If a bird wants to eat, it needs to dismantle the solution :)
          I locked also netting on the ground with piquets.
          It should be more clear in this picture

          IMG-20180824-WA0006.jpeg IMG-20180824-WA0004.jpeg IMG-20180818-WA0020.jpeg IMG-20180824-WA0010.jpeg IMG-20180825-WA0000.jpeg IMG-20180824-WA0002.jpeg
           
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          • Redwing

            Redwing Wild Gardener

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          • Verdun

            Verdun Passionate gardener

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          • pilotax

            pilotax Apprentice Gardener

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            For slugs I used a couple of cup with beer.
            Actually I captured a single one.
            My nearby allotments don't have slugs, don't have traps either.
             
          • Freddy

            Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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            The impression I get is that it’s both slug and pigeon damage.
             
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