Tomatoes immune to slugs?

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Tomatoes immune to slugs?

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Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 12:23 pm Post subject: Tomatoes immune to slugs?
Anyone heard this one? I have definitely had toms devestated by curious slugs.

Guest

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 12:26 pm Post subject:
never had a problem with slugs in the early season, only when the fruit is left on a bit long. The plants are normally too hairy for slugs (tickles their foot?)

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 12:32 pm Post subject:

Clearly, our slugs are wearing slippers

It's the young plants that I've mostly had affected, so that we usually try putting plastic bottles around them to start them off. I suppose they are quite tender and certainly less bristly when small. Have had peppers and even chillis nibbled by slugs, but not sure if they have got the tomato fruits. I think by that time of year our soil is generally very dry so that the slugs tend to keep to the nice stuff like strawbs and salads.

Tristan

Joined: 29 Dec 2004
Posts: 392
Location: North Gloucestershire

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 12:37 pm Post subject:
Forgot to log in A section of a bottle with vaseline smeared round the upper edge might work well. If you use a big water bottle you could leave it in place for ring culture.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 12:41 pm Post subject:

Tristan wrote:

ring culture.

that's where you top up the container with soil/compost for more roots, stronger plants etc? We should get that in the glossary.

Guest

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 12:48 pm Post subject:
Ring culture for tomatoes is a system of gorwing using something akin to a bottomless pot. Specila ring culture pots can be bought, or you can make your own by removing the bottom of ordinary pots. The point is to encourage two lots of root growth - the smaller roots will grow inside the ring, and a larger tap root will be forced downwards to find water and nutrients from the soil underneath.

Guest

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 12:50 pm Post subject:
Woodlice can be more of a problem for tomatoes than slugs, usually; they will eat the fruit as well as nibble the young stems. I've never known tomatoes to be damaged by slugs/snails; I think the scent puts them off.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 12:53 pm Post subject:

Is one of you Tristan and one of you Sarah?

If it's any help, if the system keeps logging you out there are two things you can try...ticking the "log me in every time" box next time you log in, or if you make a post and come back to find the site has logged you out, visit another site (I have my favourites as buttons on the toolbar) and come straight back to DS, and you may find you are logged back in (we're having the second problem at home at the moment and can't find out how to fix it apart from this).

Tristan

Joined: 29 Dec 2004
Posts: 392
Location: North Gloucestershire

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 12:55 pm Post subject:

That's the one, RHS shorter dictionary definition:

'A method of cultivating tomatoes in which young plants are set into a growing medium contained in whalehide (q.v.) rings; these measure 22 cm in depth and diameter and stand on a 15 cm deep bed of aggregate isolated from the soil by polythene sheet to prevent root penetration into disease- or pest-infested soil. All water is subsequently added to the aggregate and liquid feed to the medium (compost). In this way nutrition is concentrated within the ring and mainly water-extracting roots develop throughout the aggregate. This method is particularly useful on unsuitable soil, and also on solid surfaces.'

I adapt this slightly and form a ring around a soil grown plant that I gradually fill with potting mix, causing roots to form further up the stem, makes for a strong plant.

Feel free to copy/paste

Tristan

Joined: 29 Dec 2004
Posts: 392
Location: North Gloucestershire

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 12:56 pm Post subject:

Bugs wrote:

Still logged in just a very s---l---o---w typist

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 1:09 pm Post subject:
In my old slug-ridden garden, the very young plants would be nibbled, particularly up the stem, and fallen tomatoes would definitely be devoured. Other than that, they fared better than most other plants.

judyofthewoods

Joined: 29 Jan 2005
Posts: 804
Location: Pembrokeshire

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 1:12 pm Post subject:

An idea not entirely tested yet, but methinks sound. For ring culture use large pop bottles, cut the top and base, wrap something around to prevent light getting to soil and cut the top edge with pinking sheers which will leave a very sharp jagged edge for the slugs (but not very sharp to a human). And guess where they sometimes sell pinking sheers? Lidls. I bought a set of three for �1, made of plastic for cutting paper, but the cutting surface was metal, and they do cut pop bottles, have tried it. Only one pair had the zigzag edgge though. Craft shops might sell cheap plastic ones too.
The ragged edge ring can also be used for a pop bottle mini plant shelter or just as a slug barrier.

Guest

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 1:38 pm Post subject:

Bugs wrote:

Both me, that time. No problems with the logging in, but I don't always do it.

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