Hosta Dilemma

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by BB3, Apr 18, 2025.

  1. BB3

    BB3 Super Gardener

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    I got fed up with trying to protect my hostas so I dumped them in the oubliette, left them to the mercy of molluscs and replaced them with ferns. I haven't regretted it for a minute.
    However, the hostas have all sprouted green and innocent and all 'We really, really promise to be good'
    I've sprinkled a few slug pellets while I think about it.
     
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    • Debs64

      Debs64 Gardener

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      Could you grow some in pots? That’s how I grow all of mine and I think their shape really suits a pot. Much easier to protect from slugs
       
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      • ViewAhead

        ViewAhead Total Gardener

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        Yes, after yrs trying to protect one in the ground, with varying degrees of success from yr to yr depending on how damp spring was, I moved it to a pot … and it now gets hardly any damage!
         
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        • roders

          roders Total Gardener

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          Hostas in pots.

          74EAEF25-FB0A-4642-AE30-37E85EF874CB.jpeg
           
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          • BB3

            BB3 Super Gardener

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            They're in pots already.
            @Debs64 @roders ,
            I got fed up with going out every morning and snipping slugs.
            Ferns do the same job in the shade without the faff.
             
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            • Plantminded

              Plantminded Total Gardener

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              You could try placing the pot on top of another upturned pot to give the slugs a height challenge. It worked for most of mine last year. You need to be sure there’s no slugs already lurking in the pot though, otherwise they might think they’ve been elevated to private dining :biggrin:.

              I agree @BB3, ferns are much easier :blue thumb:.
               
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                Last edited: Apr 18, 2025
              • BB3

                BB3 Super Gardener

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                Some of the pots were 2ft off the ground. Somebody bought me one of those useless kneeling jobs that trap your elbows. Rather than dump it, I turned it upside down and used it as a shelf. Accomplished absnailers around here @Plantminded
                 
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                • Debs64

                  Debs64 Gardener

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                  What about topping the pots with a mulch? I bought some seashells ( broken up and sourced from a seafood company apparently) and I imagine the combination of sharp edges and any salt residue would make life tricky for slugs.
                   
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                  • ViewAhead

                    ViewAhead Total Gardener

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                    I use egg shells. Same theory. :blue thumb:

                    I also have the pots raised on feet and some copper mesh (not tape - the cheap copper tape on sale these days seems to be just “copper coloured tape” and is completely ineffective, though when it was originally marketed, back in about 2002, it was expensive but effective) round the rim. Last yr these precautions resulted in beautiful, nibble-free leaves. :)
                     
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                    • Goldenlily26

                      Goldenlily26 Super Gardener

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                      I grow my hostas in pots, elevated slightly in saucers and also on pot feet, also I resort to regular slug pellet treatment especially on the ground around each saucer. Nothing else seems to work. Beware any overhanging foliage from nearby plants. My slugs and snails are brilliant at absieling.
                       
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                      • Ergates

                        Ergates Enthusiastic amateur

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                        I don’t use slug pellets, but have my hostas in tall plastic pots. I do pop out in the evening and remove any slugs I see, but I also spray the sides of the pots with cleaning sprays, hoping the slugs won’t fancy the smell and taste as they slither upwards. It seems to help, I have very few losses.
                         
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                        • KT53

                          KT53 Gardener

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                          I use garlic spray to a recipe from Sienna Hostas and it seems to be more effective than anything else I've tried over the years. Somebody did suggest applying vaseline to the outside of pots but I haven't tried that - yet.
                           
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                          • roders

                            roders Total Gardener

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                            I use flattened copper pipe around the the top of the pot .
                            I also stand the two large pots on gravel.
                             

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                            • BB3

                              BB3 Super Gardener

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                              Thank you all for the suggestions. I've tried most of them already. That's why I went for ferns. I was going to put them at the front of my house for someone to take but I want to keep the large pots.
                              I'll see how it goes but I've given up the slug battle. There's more interesting things to do in the garden.
                               
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