Tulip leaf problem

Last post 12-04-2012 5:11 PM by English Bull Terrier. 7 replies.

• 07/04/2012 12:45 PM

  English Bull Terrier Location: Hampshire Joined on: 07 Apr 2012 Posts: 10

  Reply | Contact Hi All, (my first post as a Newbie). My partner has grown tulips in Latvia, semi-professionally, for ages now but having moved to the UK with me, she is having a problem that she has not seen before. Having crossbred and also grown from seed, she is very experienced (in growing in Lativa ) However, from some bulbs she planted here in the UK (Hampshire) in November, they are suffering from leaf damage, namely holes. Some of the holes are VERY small (1.5mm - 2mm) so would seem not be slugs possibly ? These holes are in the centre of the leaves as well as large ones on the edges (which may be slugs ?) Initially my thoughs were slugs, but can this be for such small holes ? Here is a selection of the tulips she has successfully grown in Latvia. http://www.niolanagaine.com/tulip.htm Thank you to all......ebt  Hope these images work -

• 07/04/2012 10:54 PM

  In reply to

  Location: Joined on: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 2,376

  Reply | Contact Hi.  Welcome to the forum. I am not an entomologist.  I have however experienced similar leaf damage to some of my greenhouse plants.  More so, to the fleshy type of leaves eg; tulips and succulents. Despite the basic greenhouse hygene etc, there is always the odd few intruders that manage to survive.  Whether or not, our experiences are the same, who knows.  You were close when mentioning slugs.  My efindings were, very tiny, almost unseen baby snails.  Whereas the adult snails leave that familiar trail behind them.  The babes don't.  Consider the area of damage.  Quite closely confined.  There is a wealth of information relating to all our gardening problems.  Please if we can share our experiences etc.  Please feel free to email me.  mikeallen.a@ntlworld.com   Happy gardening.   Mike.

• 08/04/2012 12:25 AM	In reply to
  Digger Location: Northern UK Joined on: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 5,230	Reply | Contact It does look very much like mollusc damage on some of the leaves, done when the leaves were small and not fully unfurled, thats why you have a similar sized/shaped hole in the same leaf but in different places. Put a barrier of sharp grit'or sand around them next time to stop them crossing over. digger Sage of the fells

• 10/04/2012 12:48 PM	In reply to
  English Bull Terrier Location: Hampshire Joined on: 07 Apr 2012 Posts: 10	Reply | Contact Hmm....we don't seem to have any VISIBLE snail or slug problem, could they be really miniscule and attacking the leaves whilst still furled and in the ground ?   Many thanks for the responses.......ebt

• 10/04/2012 04:18 PM	In reply to
  Digger Location: Northern UK Joined on: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 5,230	Reply | Contact Oh yes the slugs could be in the soil, whilst the leaves are very young they are at their most succulent, and belive me slugs are like ninja's, they are stealthy creatures and they slither in and out during the dead of night!! digger Sage of the fells

• 10/04/2012 04:42 PM	In reply to
  English Bull Terrier Location: Hampshire Joined on: 07 Apr 2012 Posts: 10	Reply | Contact Would you possible be able to suggest a slug/snail liquid treatment that could be used to water in and use occasionally ? These must be small buggers

• 11/04/2012 12:35 PM

  In reply to

  Digger Location: Northern UK Joined on: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 5,230

  Reply | Contact Yes there is a product for such an event as this ,it's called "nemaslug" and it's a mixture that you water into the ground, it contains nematodes that will seek out and attack the slugs and then the menatodes will eat the slug alive rendering it harmless to your plants, most garden centres will be able to supply the product, but read the instuctions and follow them closely, the nematodes need just the right conditions to survive and attack your slugs  digger Sage of the fells

• 12/04/2012 05:11 PM	In reply to
  English Bull Terrier Location: Hampshire Joined on: 07 Apr 2012 Posts: 10	Reply | Contact Many thanks Digger, we'll give it a whirl at the next planting..ebt