Question:
Snails and slugs will be a big problem this year because of all the rain. Is there a way I can eliminate them before I plant?Answer:
- Last year, snails and slugs were a massive threat to plants. They caught many gardeners off guard because of the previous dry winters. But, your chances of eliminating or eradicating them are nil as they're a permanent pest.
- Snails feed at night on herbaceous plants rather than on woody ornamentals. As the sun comes up, snails look to hide in cool, dark areas. They also hide in the canopy of ornamentals like citrus, camellias, and others, feeding on the leaves.
- Each adult snail lays less than a hundred eggs. A young snail takes four months to two years to mature, depending on food availability and moisture. Because of our climatic conditions, it's sooner rather than later.
- After the rainy season, an adult snail retracts into its shell in dry, non-irrigated areas. They close off the opening with a mucus seal that hardens.
- Snails can remain dormant in this condition for up to four years. Hence, snails are a year-round problem. Watering in the evening contributes to their activity, while a dry soil surface limits their movement.
- We control snails and slugs with various organic methods such as hand-picking, stale beer, eggshells, copper tape, and organic baits.
- Sluggo is an organic bait for edibles, non-edibles, kids, and pets. Copper tape is recommended for controlling snails in ornamentals.
- The tape is attached to the main trunk about two feet off the ground. It prevents the snails from advancing into the canopy.
- In addition, bait the area under the canopy for an additional layer of protection.
- There is no advantage to baiting before planting, as there is nothing to attract the snails unless you apply the bait to a ground cover. So, I'd wait until planting, spread the bait over a wide area, and repeat baiting monthly.
- During the summer and fall, you reduce the size of the application area to those areas under irrigation.
Question:
When would be the best time to transplant my Christmas Cactus, and what type of soil should I use?Answer:
- Christmas cactus are transplanted year-round. It's done every three to four years, or you may prefer to wait until you notice a few roots growing through the drainage hole.
- They're divided after they finish blooming and before the flush of new growth. Transplanting a Christmas Cactus is a pretty straightforward task.
- The diameter of the new pot shouldn't be any more than two inches larger than the old container with a drainage hole in the bottom.
- The root ball is placed about an inch below the rim of the new pot.
- The fresh potting soil is added to fill in the void and tamped down to remove any air pockets.
- Any of the commercial potting soils will do. Finally, you water and, if necessary, add some additional soil.