I stopped trying to grow lupins many years ago because of slug damage. Much as I like lupins, I couldn't see the point of keeping on trying. There are thousands of other flowers to use which will be fine in a sluggy area and you won't have all this heartache, visits to garden centres and dalliance with poisons to try to solve an insoluble problem.
Aware I'm highjacking a thread.... I've never grown lupins. Anyone grow them on clay soil? I believe they like slightly acid sandy soil. I've got acid clay, quite moist. Would they manage?
Cheers Verdun. not for me in the ground then. I've not enough time, and there's enough alternatives, than to try a plant in the wrong setting. How do they do in pots? I'm thinking of putting a good looking pot in my border, and growing stuff in plastic pots and switching them in and out to get a continuous display. Could lupins be on the pot list?
Tried to grow lupins here (west of Ireland) for 18 years and the slugs/snails get them every year no matter what I try. Such a shame as they are one of my favourite flowers and remind me of home (eastern England).
I have clay soil and grow lupins in the ground: they do well enough in summer, but many die in winter so I keep a supply of youngsters in the greenhouse. Slugs are a serious problem and I have tried just about everything going. In my experience, organic pellets don't work but the nasty ones do help. Hand picking makes a real difference. You can protect young plants while they get going by cutting down a largish plastic pot, fixing copper tape round the remaining part and putting that over the plant. It will be safe provided 1) you don't shut in some slugs when you put in the pot, 2) you bury enough of the pot so there are no gaps and 3) the growing leaves do not touch the ground or any unprotected plant.
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I stopped trying to grow lupins many years ago because of slug damage. Much as I like lupins, I couldn't see the point of keeping on trying. There are thousands of other flowers to use which will be fine in a sluggy area and you won't have all this heartache, visits to garden centres and dalliance with poisons to try to solve an insoluble problem.
Aware I'm highjacking a thread.... I've never grown lupins. Anyone grow them on clay soil? I believe they like slightly acid sandy soil. I've got acid clay, quite moist. Would they manage?
I am using SlugGone. Wool pellets. Working for now
Just one word on lupins: Aphids.
Cheers Verdun. not for me in the ground then. I've not enough time, and there's enough alternatives, than to try a plant in the wrong setting. How do they do in pots? I'm thinking of putting a good looking pot in my border, and growing stuff in plastic pots and switching them in and out to get a continuous display. Could lupins be on the pot list?
Tried to grow lupins here (west of Ireland) for 18 years and the slugs/snails get them every year no matter what I try. Such a shame as they are one of my favourite flowers and remind me of home (eastern England).
I have clay soil and grow lupins in the ground: they do well enough in summer, but many die in winter so I keep a supply of youngsters in the greenhouse. Slugs are a serious problem and I have tried just about everything going. In my experience, organic pellets don't work but the nasty ones do help. Hand picking makes a real difference. You can protect young plants while they get going by cutting down a largish plastic pot, fixing copper tape round the remaining part and putting that over the plant. It will be safe provided 1) you don't shut in some slugs when you put in the pot, 2) you bury enough of the pot so there are no gaps and 3) the growing leaves do not touch the ground or any unprotected plant.