Truss vs The Lettuce; Slugs vs Cucumber

Day 2 Slug and Lettuce test

That’s more like it:

Coarse pebbles - wolfed down
Coffee grounds - licked the bowl clean
Vaseline - devoured it
Untreated - only the smell of cucumber remains
Vaseline + salt - cucumber untouched.

It’s a pretty clear verdict. I might just continue with the Vaseline/salt combo to see if it carries on working or if, in time, the salt loses its capacity to repel.

Perhaps others could carry on the experiment and test grit rather than gravel, crushed egg shells, copper bands, wool fleece, Strulch and, toted as a ‘hack’ on Facebook, unravelled wire scouring pads.

 

You're right. Zillions is an exaggeration. The correct measure is bajillions.

 

Copper tape isn't great. It does need to be copper mesh in strips. It is expensive ... but so are new plants.

 

I have done that, @JWK, after battling to keep them in the ground for 20+ yrs. As you say, pros and cons. They are currently nibble free, but unable to spread their roots out wide. It has been so wet, they have managed for water thus far.

 

I don't know if it will affect the results but there are many species of slug that will eat cucumber, that wouldn't touch live plants. We have 40 or so species of slugs in the uk and only a few of those are plant munchers but I'd wager a wider range would clean up a slice of cucumber.

The really annoying slugs tend to be smaller and they can cheat by coming from underneath or through the bottom of the pot, whereas the bigger species that enjoy decaying material, may be able to bridge a wider gap. The large, turd looking, Spanish slugs are a pest but other large species tend to be good, some even eat other slugs.

I'd encourage anyone to know their enemy and have a little look into which species are friend and which foe. I briefly glanced at this page and it highlights a few good and bad but I'm sure there are more informative sites.

Understanding Britain’s slug species - PlantGrow

 

Currently in the shade of the fence on the patio by the house.