I really want pickles - nemaslug vs direct sown cukes?

[Kaiya]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ans_65184.html

The above link contains the sorry tale of my first attempt at cucumber growing. In a nutshell - I sowed crystal lemon and gherkin in 3 inch pots, slugs/snails ate all the crystal lemon (in blowaway, no mollusc perps ever found, but unless something else can get into a closed blowaway and leave slime trails...). Sowed more crystal lemon, they ate them again. Planted out the gherkin, again some beggers ate the heads off all of them. I went on holiday and refused to think about cucumbers for a bit.

Now I'm back, I have nemaslug arriving in theory tomorrow, and I have seeds left. Would you recommend either trying again in pots and trying to be a little more imaginative about pot placement in the blowaway, or treat the soil with nemaslug and sow direct?

If the local garden centre has some seedlings I'll get some as insurance but I'll be surprised if they have the two varieties I'm interested in.

If only I wasn't addicted to pickled gherkins....

[donnakebab]

What were you planning to use the nemaslugs for? Why are they only arriving in theory?

[Aberdeenplotter]

sow again and protect with slug pellets sprinkled diectly on to the pots. I'd also be watering a solution of slug clear onto the surrounding area in your greenhouse or cold frames to thin these vandals out.

[Paulottie]

Well with the price of nemaslug and given that it only works for 5 or 6 weeks before reapplication. I'd say it is only worth it when you have large crop/area to target. They won't work well for small pots

I don't grow gherkins but ridge cukes I would raise in the greenhouse (possibly with a few slug pellets sprinkled on the bench and/or checking around under pots etc.) Infact just about every crop except roots and broadies that are destined for the allotment are raised in a greenhouse, sown in modules and pots. I find they then have a reasonable chance.

Even if you decide to treat area and sow direct. you will be increasing your chances yes (just not economic) I'd pop a cloche over them as it is so cold/wet.

[veggiechicken]

I'd sow them indoors and keep them indoors until they are robust enough to fend off the attackers. Maybe put them out in the day and bring them in again overnight. If you really really want them, you'll find a way!

[eirish]

Do you have a windowsill where you could start them off until they're big enough to be more than one bite for a slug?

I'm with you in the battle for cucumbers, although my problem has been more the weather than the slugs. The second sowing is starting to pop up in the heated propagator. Fingers crossed - I really want some Crystal Lemons!

[Alison]

I've seen Crystal Lemon in garden centres in the past so you might be lucky. Other than that, I'd agree with the comments above, sow inside and then plant out later.

[flowertot]

I've had similar struggles with cucumbers and gerkins this year - so I feel your pain! My remaining 2 or 3 that had survived were sulking in my blowaway tunnel so given the dreadful weather I've brought them in and am molly coddling them on my kitchen window cill (they seem happier and have even had the decency to grow a bit!)I'd originally planned to plant them out but now I'm going to give them a go in morrisons buckets as I think it'll let me wrap them in cotton wool a bit more which they seem to be liking.

[Kaiya]

Ah, arriving in theory as I'd ordered it and it had been dispatched but hadn't arrived. It did get here this morning and is now in the fridge My plot is only 54m2, probably only about 40m2 growing area so one small pack at £10 inc. p&p seemed worthwhile. I kill any I see but I don't see many, and my potatoes have slug damage so worthwhile anyway I figured, if only to hit the blighters on the head for a few weeks so they only have the weather to contend with.

Thanks for the positive replies - I was expecting to be told it was too late and to give up, so I'm happy to persevere! I have no windowsills ("helpful" cats) but do have a nice toastie blowaway, and I'll invest in some pellets for the pots. We must prevail!

[flowertot]

If all else fails and the gerkins don't materialise I made pickled runner beans last year and they were awesome (may satisfy your liking for pickles?) or there is a brilliant recipe for pickles courgettes kicking around on here somewhere too.