Problems with my DALEA plant leaves

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Qaftab Faisalabad, Pakistan(Zone 10b) Feb 02, 2009

Some insect is eating my Dalea plant leaves. No other plant in my garden is affected. A photo is attached. What should I do to save my dalea plants?

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Post #6081823
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NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a) Feb 02, 2009

Is that a snail I see attached to a leaf at the bottom of your plant? Snails and slugs will eat leaves of certain types of plants. You can treat that problem with diatomaceous earth.

Post #6081920
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Qaftab Faisalabad, Pakistan(Zone 10b) Feb 03, 2009

Hi Naturelover,

Yes, it is a snail that you see in the picture.

I am very new to gardening. What is diatomaceous earth?


Regards,

Qamar
Faisalabad Pakistan

Post #6086251
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NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a) Feb 03, 2009

The basic ingredient is silicon dioxide. When snails, slugs and other crawling insects crawl through it, they dry up and die within 48 hours. Over here, most nurseries, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc., carry it. The brand name I use is Safer but I'm sure there are other brands out there. When I have problems with slugs or snails, I just sprinkle it on the ground around the affected plants so the insects will have to crawl through it to get to the plant. I hope this helps. Good luck with your gardening.

Post #6086753
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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Feb 03, 2009

Be careful though--I'm not sure what's available in Pakistan, but here there are two different kinds of diatomaceous earth--one for swimming pools and one for pests and other things. The one for swimming pools is processed differently and is very dangerous to breathe, so make sure you don't get that one. You can also consider products with iron phosphate as the active ingredient, that's a relatively safe way to take care of the snails. Or they won't cross copper barriers, so if you have access to copper you can make some barriers around your plants (just make sure the snails are on the outside of the barrier first, otherwise you'll be trapping them on your plants!)

Post #6087227
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nrve08 Scio, OR Feb 03, 2009

You can also spread broken egg shell or sharp rocks around your plants. The sharp objects will cut through their skin causing them to dehydrate. Other home remedies would include pouring a small amount of beer or grape juice into a small jar (baby food size), bury the jar in the ground to the rim. The snails will be attracted to the scent and investigate, crawling into the jar. They will not be able to crawl back out, the beer or grape juice will deteriorate their skin. Then in the morning all you need to do is empty the jar in the trash. You may need to repeat this a few times to get rid of them all moving the jar or jars to different locations.

Post #6087413
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