Can slug-damaged foxtail lily be saved?

tlchimera

I popped into my back garden this morning and found the slugs had dined on a newly emerged foxtail lily (Eremurus x isabellinus 'Cleopatra') flower. It's not an established plant - I planted the crown last September. It's in full sun, well draining soil, in a border that mostly comprises of native wild flowers (red campion, sorrell, scabious, oxeye daisies, yarrow, comfrey (bocking 14) etc, plus spring bulbs and a few trustworthy perennials (boules mauve wallflower, papavar orientalis, lavender, kniphofia)

I'm gutted to be honest, I can't spend huge amounts on my garden, and buying these crowns (I bought a set of three from Sarah Raven) felt like such a treat. One hasn't produced a flower stalk yet, this one has been eaten, the other one is currently doing well and produced two flower stalks but I'm anxious it's on the menu tonight. 

I used nemaslug about six weeks ago, but it hasn't made a huge difference. I can try using some wool pellets/beer traps, but because there's other foliage next to them I imagine the slugs would just bypass the pellets. 

Anyway, slugs are slugs, can't be helped. I'm presuming this flower is done for now, so I was hoping for some advice about whether I should remove it and if there's anything I can do to encourage it to try and produce another flower. 

Thank you for any advice you can provide, I really appreciate it. 

Posy

That's really disappointing. I don't know about your lily but I am a slug expert and I think the soil may have been too cold for your nematodes. All those wool pellets and beer traps are a waste of time when a delicious treat is available. The only truly effective method is to pick the b.....s off, by torchlight, and to dispose of them as you prefer. My kit includes gloves, a bucket with an inch or two of VERY salty water and a rechargeable torch. I know most of us - including me - prefer not to kill anything but if you are growing plants as tasty as yours, or you have an invasion of slugs, as I did, there isn't much choice.

Elfer

Posy said:

...The only truly effective method is to pick the b.....s off, by torchlight, ...

What is the best time for night patrol?

Posy

Any time after dark, really. Warm, damp evenings are the most productive.