Slugs/snails and fennel?

[GemskiB]

Sorry for such a generic post but this is starting to drive me batty. My poor wee plants (in pots in my plastic greenhouse) are being nibbled at right at the base of the plant to the point where the whole of the top of the plant topples over and dies. I'm not keen on using slug pellets but any ideas are great fully received (including the use f slug pellets).

I feel a bit conned; the packet was full of how easy it would be to grow!

Thanks,

Gem

[Mr Bones]

If it's slugs or snails they're hiding somewhere, probably under the pots. How small are the plants Gem, could it be damping off if they're very young plants.

[mothhawk]

Or it could be cutworms - they are moth larvae that hatch out in the ground, keep underground by day, then come out at night and chomp through plant stems near the base - hence 'cut' worm. Take one of the damaged plants out of its pot and have a furtle to see if there are any caterpillar-like creatures in there.

[Bren In Pots]

Try covering around the plant with crushed egg shells, I use it around my courgettes.

[GemskiB]

I will take a photo and have a furtle in the ones that are dead :-( I like fennel!!

[GemskiB]

Furtled in the dead ones, and no sign of any pods, although one of them was really wet so that might have been attracting slugs.

Here's a pic of one of them:



I hope it's nothing worse than slugs!!

Have just sown some more and when they germinate ill keep them outside seeing as its warmer now :-)

[RedThorn]

You got any more pics? Healthy ones too please...