> From: "Bettina Sohst" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [OGD] Desperate cry for (slug-) help > > Hello everyone, > > after losing my greenhouse 2 1/2 years ago I am forced to grow my > collection mostly outside. This works reasonably well here in the > favorable coastal California climate. Unfortunately I am now threatened by > extinction due to slug domination. > I have been fighting the good fight, staying away from highly toxic > methods so far, using mostly Sluggo (as well as picking and squishing with > much delight) diligently to battle the slimy pests, but to no avail. I > just can't get a handle on the increasing damage. For example, I have not > seen any Masdevallia flowers in over a year now as the buds turn into > prime slug food immediately after appearing. Even freshly repotted (after > thorough cleaning) plants that I moved to a separated location get > attacked within a day or two. (And, of course it is always the one fresh > new growth that gets attacked over night, setting the plant back another > season.) > My plea for help: Is there anything "more vicious" that I can use to at > least get my collection back to ground zero in terms of slug infestation? > If I can't find a solution I am faced with losing all my Masdevallias as > well as a good part of the rest of my plants. > Any help will be greatly appreciated. > Thank you! > > Bettina
> From: Steve Topletz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [OGD] Desperate cry for (slug-) help > ..............Beer, Salt, Copper, and Diatomaceous > earth are unlikely to work. Beer works poorly, but is good for monitoring. Diatomaceous earth (DE) works wonderfully well. After a month of collecting a couple of hundred slugs in a dozen dishes of beer spaced around my greenhouse (GH), I dusted the place liberally with DE and overnight they were gone. Not one slug showed up in my dishes of beer after that. I redust every month or so, because I receive new plants so often that a slug or snail will be found occasionally. One particular vendor always sends a few bush snails and a slug or two. Bush snails are no problem for me because I grow in a closed mix, but I can imagine the problems others face. But I am getting off the subject. I would expect for outdoor growing that more liberal use would be called for, and a heavy perimeter dusting maintained. A dust mask MUST be used, or a silicosis like problem could occur. Once down, it is safe for people and pets. It kills by mechanical damage to snails/slugs and hardbodied crawling insects like pill bugs, centipedes, etc. It comes in large bags cheap at pool supplies. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
