Do Slugs like Alpine Strawberries?

Soubrette

Hi all

This is my first year as a gardener (just killed off houseplants regularly before now ) and I have had variable success, mostly because the slugs have enjoyed munching my things before I get a look in.

However, my alpine strawberries are (even if I do say so myself ) magnificent. I have 16 plants that I grew from seed, they are flowering and looking healthy (no slug damage at all, in fact no sign of slug interest at all).

Now, I know slugs like the big strawberries, but will they go for my little alpines when they are ready? If so, should I be a bit more pro-active and start discouraging them now?

Thanks

Sou

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

Definatley yes,they love them.I just grow them for decoration now,in pots as they are always half eaten by the time they ripen.

kaka72

Soubrette wrote: »

Hi all

This is my first year as a gardener (just killed off houseplants regularly before now ) and I have had variable success, mostly because the slugs have enjoyed munching my things before I get a look in.

However, my alpine strawberries are (even if I do say so myself ) magnificent. I have 16 plants that I grew from seed, they are flowering and looking healthy (no slug damage at all, in fact no sign of slug interest at all).

Now, I know slugs like the big strawberries, but will they go for my little alpines when they are ready? If so, should I be a bit more pro-active and start discouraging them now?

Thanks

Sou

I too have alpines and the slugs and woodlouse seem to leave them alone and munch the bigger ones instead. Which suits me as I prefer the alpines!!

mariauk

I grew Alpines for the first time this year and not one of them have been touched by slugs :j HTH

Maria

Soubrette

It is true MrsTittlemouse - stupid slugs always like to half eat something and then leave the rest, they have absolutely no manners!! :mad:

And I have to worry about woodlice? There are tons of them in my garden *sigh*

What is the slug situation like in your gardens generally mariauk and kaka72. This year my beans have been decimated and they are moving on to my peppers. (I have big strawberries too but nothing in the way of fruit there and they are leaving the plants well alone).

Kaka72 - have your alpines fruited yet? I can't wait for mine

Sou

mariauk

Hi Sourbrette :hello:

First time veg grower this year so have no other to compare to But I have more of a snail problem :mad: Although my Strawberries (Already fruited and were lovely) Peppers, Toms and eggplant have been spared so far from the slugs they have enjoyed most of my marigolds, butternut squash and have also recently started on my runner beans :eek:

V_Chic_Chick

My alpine strawberries are positively invasive, and have never been touched by the slugs, and nor have the normal sized strawberries, although the fruits have sometimes been eaten by birds.

sleepymy

You can grow strawberries in hanging baskets to keep them clean and keep the slugs of them. I do it with lettuce.

nodwah

My slugs don't eat the strawberry leaves but they do eat the fruit (alpine or normal) - they eat the insides and somehow leave the outside intact and so I go to pick a nice one and find it's completely hollow!!!GGRRRRRR

Marg

My advice would be 'Don't take any chances' If you've got slugs & snails they'll eat your strawberries alpine or not. If you can't do chemical control then I'm afaid you will just have to go out 'n' catch the blighters or, if your plants are in tubs or similar, smear the rim with vaseline as slugs & snails don't like to pass over it. (Presuming they haven't already hidden themselves under the rim!)

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

sleepymy wrote: »

You can grow strawberries in hanging baskets to keep them clean and keep the slugs of them. I do it with lettuce.

Will you tell that to the five snails I found in one of my hanging baskets yesterday.Seriously though I think the slugs and snails must be in the process of taking over the world at the moment.I have most of my plants in containers in a yard garden( fruit and flowers.)I use slug pellets but they still come out nightly.I can pick off about 60 each night coming out of the walls alone.It's horrible watching them crawling out of the tiny lttle gaps in the mortar,makes my flesh creep.