Reposted in OQfNaOG2... sorry couldn't see how to delete this post.

Hi all,

What is the current best treatment for slugs? I bought a collection of Odonts last winter, and found out later that they had been left out on the ground under oak trees in a back yard for some time. It didn't seem to be a problem at first, but for the last month I have slugs everywhere in my greenhouse. I've been stalking them at night and dispatching any I find, but they are still getting many new spikes. I can't find them and squash them fast enough. So, is there something I can water in, or spray on the whole collection? That would be best since my benchs are basically wire.

thanks,

Neal

Hi all,I have a large bag of coir croutons that I'd like to use for my phals.Most are in New Zealand moss but it dries out so fast. What should I add to the croutons?
Doris

Of course, the answer depends on how often you want to water. The coir is water retentive and so is the sphagnum. But I wonder if my cymbidium mix with coir would help. You could use perlite or larger perlite (sponge rock), aliflor or lava rock, coir, and small pieces of interwoven sphagnum. It is recommended that you soak the coir so it expands before you put it in the pot. I often put a styrofoam peanut or two on the bottom of my pots. But whatever you try, watch and see if the plant takes off or reacts adversely. And again, it all depends on how often you plan on watering....I'm assuming you have this plant indoors? What location and light? Near a heat source?

Sorry Neal. Never saw your question on OQfNaOG1.
Ursula has had the best luck with slugs. I know she used apple slices. I know folks who swear by Escargot, beer in low cups, and copper strips around pots. I've tried them all but have had limited success.

Neal, I tried the Beer traps, it didn't work for me. Kathy has it right - in the evening I would place Apple and Potato slices in such a way that the slugs can hopefully climb underneath them and can be collected the next morning. And you might be surprised what else you find on them besides Slugs, if those plants had been outside.
I also would remove any old bark mix, Slugs love to get into those. And pots with rims are a great hiding place for them.

Thanks Kathy, (Response to potting in coir )I have been growing long enough that I should be able to use my head,ieWing it .In big pots,I think I will add something to the coir. Plants grew well in the NZ moss but I don't want to order it.Sometimes I'm lax about watering. It is usually pretty humid here.I run a humifier by orchids in winter,due to drying wood heat.
Coir is readily available & neat to use. I have 3 or 4 plants in it.I only use clear pots so I can see moisture beads.Can't find these locally. Resorted to using clear food containers for some smaller plants.
Another problem I'm having is I make drainage holes in plastic & the roots grow out & stick to whatever & sometimes tips get broken.I put a bit of crumpled newspaper under pot & set it into clay pot.Then I can set it into water & not break tips.
Keep up the good work!
Doris

That's a great idea about the newspaper and clay pots. Doris, don't be a stranger! Sounds like we could use your experience around here.

Busy as all get out here in NC...getting ready for Irene...
I can't decide if the plants would be better off in the greenhouse...or if that's a jinx to make trees fall on it!
Not even sure if the homeowners insurance has been updated to cover the greenhouse...
so have decided to drag them all into the sunroom, and am about 2/3rds done.

I am debating what to do too. Certainly the cyms that fall over and all the medium falls out should come inside before Sunday.

Large Vandas in bloom and spike will be carried into the garage, I will probably take a lot of other blooming plants inside. My deck really needs the stuff cleared off top shelf and railings. I think I will have my work cut out for tomorrow.

Same here.

After looking at the evening news..I'm concerned that even the sunroom is possibly a poor choice for me. The wind direction , the nearby trees...
it's all so grim, although I suppose it could be worse...it could be winter!

While you are preparing for Irene, my wife stopped at the mall on her way home from work and thieves broke into the car, stole her Ipod and a bunch of other stuff. The drivers door now won't open and the lock/door handle is smashed. I missed one storm and got another.

I'll be praying for all of you as the storm approaches. Good luck.

Jim

Jim, that is just nasty! I really hope they get whoever did that!

Me too. That's awful!

Don't you just hate that ? Why do people have to be so ugly?
I decided on the sunroom...not knowing if the greenhouse is insured or not,
I figured if anything happened to the sunroom the homeowners insurance would
take care of contents...here's my sunroom dining table!

I just brought the cymbidiums in and am debating bringing them all in.
Have you altered your plans at all Ursula? Very worried about the giant willow.

Most of the deck stuff is now in the greenhouse, the large Epi oxypetalums are better secured, since I simply can't move them without trimming them. Tall Cacti which had populated the front steps, are along with the large Vandas in the garage. I filled up pretty much most of the lower shelves in the cage, left most Cattleyas hanging from the cage ceiling and grouped in general everything tight together and secured the E. x lomis against the back-wall. I will decide tomorrow if the large Jade has to come into the garage too, I left room for it.
And I took some smaller plants in spike and in bloom inside too.
At this point I feel I did pretty much all I can do.

I feel like Jim...dragging the plants back and forth!

Did you carry any crickets into the house?
The living room here is chirp-city right now!