My garden challenges

My garden is a challenge. Now it's my hostas.

I found a lovely website that shows some similar damage to what I have, so I need to make mention of it here and also provide another link.


I think, from the photo samples, that I have snail damage. But have I ever seen a snail in the garden? No.


IDENTIFYING THE CULPRITS

So, how can you identify which pest is causing damage to your hostas?


SLUGS

Slug damage shows as lace leaves on emergence and the damage is caused mainly in the spring.


As soon as the weather warms up the slugs emerge to breed and feed. If they find pellets before delicious spring shoots, it follows that they cannot breed. Once your plants are above the ground and the leaves unfurling then slug damage becomes less of a problem. By the way, not all slugs are bad… leave the big black and brown ones as they have a preference for the common grey slugs that do like your plants!



SNAILS

Snail damage shows as large gashes in the leaves throughout the season.


These pests have voracious appetites and can wreak havoc in areas of the garden where they like to dine. However, they do not like to dine in public so don't expect to catch them in the act of destroying your plants. Expect to find them sheltered in cool, shady spots away from the heat of the day. It is a good idea to regularly turn over pots, containers and undergrowth to disturb snails and offer them up to eagle-eyed thrushes.


VINE WEEVILS

Vine Weevil damage shows as notches nipped out along the leaf edges.


This is done by the adult weevil, which feeds at night and does not fly. Its larvae feast on plant roots to devastating effect. The larvae are white, about ½" long, with brown heads. We have found that they are most likely to cause damage in potted plants, probably because they like soft peat. To combat this we always add 20% sharp sand to our potting mix.

(This information taken from ... http://www.mickfieldhostas.co.uk/newsletters/February_2007.htm)
Note on this website: A brief thank you to the RHS and Missouri Centre for Home Gardening for the use of their images and to Andrew Collins for his wonderful artwork.