Aubergines - A Never Ending Battle

[Artisan]

This is my first attempt at growing Aubergines. I have one plant in a container in my mini greenhouse. I have noticed that as the fruit begins to swell my local slug/snail community decide that it is time to feast. What can I do to stop the little blighters? Against my better judgement I have used slug pellets around the base of the plant on the greenhouse floor but they seem to ignore the pellets and head straight for the Aubergine fruit. Having tried the pellets my next option is a shotgun. Pump action preferred. Knowing my luck they will be wearing bullet proof vests! Does anyone have any tips on how to combat these little devils?

Also, does anyone know if the plant will flower again so that I might get anyone crop in September?

[Snoop Puss]

I have hordes of snails in my veg patch, and never once have they tried to eat an aubergine fruit or leaf. Your variety must be especially tasty!

So I can only comment on the flowers: yes, your plant should continue to produce flowers.

[Artisan]

Is it something to do with Spanish and English slugs I wonders! Thanks for the comment. I look forward to more flowers, more fruit and more slugs!!!!

[Snoop Puss]

No idea about the national differences between slugs and snails. Aubergines are so firm, I'm surprised they can get their gnashers into them.

[Penellype]

what I would do is get some copper tape (garden centres sell it) and an old plastic bottle. Cut out a section of the bottle so it makes a tube about 2 inches high. cut down it so you can open it out, and then put copper tape around the tube with a bit of overlap at one of the cut ends. Wrap the tube round the stem of the plant to form a barrier, close the circle with the tape (preferably with a slight overlap of the plastic so there is definitely no gap) and push it into the compost a little so that they can't crawl under. As long as no leaves are touching the soil or greenhouse sides this should act as some sort of deterrent although it probably won't be 100% effective.

Here is this idea put into practise around lettuce seedlings. There were 5 of each of 3 types of lettuce in this planter originally...

[bario1]

You might find the slug is hiding under the pot, or even in it!

Oh, and you know those giant Caramac coloured slugs? They're Spanish!

[Jungle Jane]

They don't like walking across sand if you had a circle around the plant,or can they climb across the glass to get to the leaves,the best way is have a look tonight with a torch it will be in there munching away like it owns the place.

[greenishfing]

If the plant is in a container you can smear an inch wide generous stripe of Vaseline around the outside of the plantpot. The only downside is cleaning the plantpot at the end of the year. Messy!!!!!

[Jimmy]

Beer traps work well for me. Well my slugs and snails.
But probably me as well.
Jimmy

[TheMidnightGrower]

My first try at an Aubergine this year too. I had no idea if it would get eaten or not and I only have 1 plant, so as its in a pot I have stood it up high on something that the slugs cant be bothered to climb up.

[bario1]

You must have lazy slugs where you are....

[Artisan]

I wish I had lazy slugs. I think mine have ladders!