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clematis and snails

• Message 1. 

  Posted by john ramsbottom (U3516448) on Wednesday, 11th April 2012

  Does anyone know whether snails attack young clematis? Last year I had an otherwise healthy and growing plant suddenly collapse. I've just removed some snails off the stem of another plant - are they attracted to clematis and do they somehow bite into them? Also any suggestions to get rid of snails would be welcome.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by AlinaW (U2220240) on Wednesday, 11th April 2012

  They strip the bark off clematis stems at ground level - that's why your plant collapsed.
  Going out at night with a torch is a good way to collect snails, but you do have to dispose of them.

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• Message 3

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  Posted by Yvieh (U14441579) on Wednesday, 11th April 2012

  Hi John,
  
  I've got various Clematis in pots, either growing up a trellis against a wall, or up some wigwam style tied hazel sticks. I tend to gravel the top of all my pots, mainly for a neat look, and as a mulch, but the advantage is I never tend to get snails eating these plants, as they don't tend to like the gravel. Maybe you could try a layer of gravel around the base of your Clematis?
  
  Good luck, Yvie

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  Posted by Goldilocks (U2169760) on Wednesday, 11th April 2012

  They certainly do. They climb up the stems and strip the bark off. I use organic slug pellets.

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  Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Wednesday, 11th April 2012

  Slugs and snails adore young clematis shoots. Scatter wildlife friendly slug pellets around the plants from valentine's Day onwards and at regular intervals. This will catch them as they emerge from hibernation or hatch from eggs and before they get a chance to breed more and/or eat your treasures.

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  Posted by 7magpies (U8108459) on Wednesday, 11th April 2012

  I have a Jackmanii typre of clematis that always seems to attract snails when it starts to regrow, despite being in coarse gravel. This year I put some fine grit around it, with a few slug pellets for good measure, and it was fine (no sign of dead snails so I don't think they got as far as the pellets). Another trick is to cut a ring about three inches wide from a plastic bottle and put that over the shoot when it's still tiny. It helps to discourage snails, and also creates a bit of frost-protection around the shoot.

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