Remember those sunflower seeds I planted back at the beginning of May? Well, only one of them came up, and the poor thing was subjected to all manner of windstorms and rain and even hail. It wound up growing sideways (above), so last night I brought it inside, hoping that a little shelter on a sunny (ha!) windowsill might encourage it to grow upright.
This morning, I went to check on it and found this:
Yes, that is a snail -- inside the house -- and as you can see, it completely decapitated my seedling. Argh!
If there's any consolation in this sorry state of affairs, it's that the snail probably came inside on the seed tray, so this would have happened outside too. It was lying in wait, licking its snail chops.
The jimsonweed seeds that I planted on the same day haven't come up at all. Not yet, anyway.
I'm also battling a case of killer aphids on our Rachel de Thame lupine. (This is a terrible picture, but you can see them on the new leaves.) The plant was starting to look a little peaked, and when I examined it more closely I realized its interior stems and new growth were positively coated with aphids. Apparently lupines are subject to a kind of super-aphid all their own, one that comes from North America and has no natural predators in England. Nothing eats them because they absorb alkaloid compounds from the plants and they get huge. (Well, huge by aphid standards.)
I killed as many of them as I could by hand, and then sprayed the plant with bug spray -- which I almost never do, but this seemed like a crisis. A day later, stray aphids were still crawling around. I'm thinking our bug spray isn't worth much. I plan to go the soap-and-water route next, but I have to go buy a sprayer bottle. I suspect squashing them by hand is going to be the only truly effective method of control.
Here's a happier story -- so far, anyway. My foxglove seedlings are holding their own. I wouldn't say they're prospering in these cool temperatures, but at least they're still alive. I have two trays indoors that are a bit bigger than these, which are outside on the patio.
Finally, while talking about my blog stats yesterday, I mentioned that I'm apparently getting about a thousand views a day. I'm basing that on this graph (above), but I'm under no illusions whatsoever that this number reflects real, human eyeballs and certainly not different individuals. I know I don't have a thousand people reading this blog.
I'm sure it's mostly bots or Internet pings. I think Blogger used to offer a statistic called unique readers, or something like that, reflecting the different IP addresses of blog readers and thus more accurately estimating the number of individuals looking at the blog. If I remember right, mine was somewhere around a hundred a day, and I'm sure even some of those were automated.
If I had to guess, I'd say I get about 50 real readers a day, and that's fine by me. I appreciate each and every one of you. You're welcome to come over and help me kill aphids any time.
I very much doubt that you get as many as fifty "real" visitors a day Steve! I should confess that I myself am a bot and I generate most of the comments you receive. It is all part of our Russian plot. As for the snail, our headquarters in Botski Tower deny any responsibility - hee-hee-hee!
ReplyDeleteDon't the Russians have better things to do than stalk me, Comrade Pudding?
DeleteWell, I am a real visitor, if that is any assurance. And I always visit once each day. The mention of a plant looking a little "peaked" sent me down the internet rabbit hole to find out the difference between "peeked", "peaked" and "piqued." For one moment I thought that you meant "piqued" but finally concluded that "peaked" was correct, although I don't think I have caught myself ever using the term in that context in all my years of writing (I was a magazine editor for 15 years). The things you learn when you are not a bot!
ReplyDeleteI think "peaked" used this way is a term from the southern USA. It's pronounced "peek-ed," by the way, with two syllables. Just another sign of my southern roots!
DeleteNot just Southern. I grew up in Montana and it's a very familiar word to me also. Though now an upstate New York I have to say I don't remember hearing it - - but then I haven't been listening for it!
DeleteNot just the US, either - it's used in NS, Canada too!
DeleteFrom a former upstate-New-Yorker: peaked (two syllables) was part of our growing up vocabulary. Not sure I've heard it since moving west.
DeleteSympathies on the aphids. We have sunflowers self-seeding by the gazillion in the yard. Wish I could send you a few dozen. They're glorious in mid-summer through to frost, and bring in goldfinches by the dozens (as well as all manner of pollinating insects).
Chris from Boise (as usual on Mike's computer)
Shame about the sunflowers. I used to put seeds straight into the soil. Along the fence (no Mrs Kravitz on the other side). All was brilliant. The six footers grew (sometimes up to eight feet). Enter the snake in paradise. Squirrels doing a Me Tarzan - swinging from one majestic head of flower to the next, breaking them in the process. If I had had a gun I'd have turned into Me Jane and shot the bastards. Preferably BEFORE they were causing the damage.
ReplyDeleteYou, Steve, are living proof of the human spirit in the face of aphids. Do you wear your Marigolds when squashing them or just use your bare hands, nay, finger tips?
U
I hope you got a video of those swinging squirrels! I feel sure that if I put the seeds directly into the soil they'd fall prey to slugs and snails even more rapidly. As for the aphids, I just use my fingers. It's not pleasant but they're easily washed off.
DeleteI was going to suggest ladybirds, but had no idea about the lupine super aphid. Too bad about the sunflowers, but glad you spotted the snail. Imagine stepping on THAT with your bare foot!
ReplyDeleteOh Mitchell...the thought of that! I hate it when I tread on one outside with shoes on! I usually throw them over the hedge to the wilderness they call their garden next door!
DeleteFrances:
DeleteWe lived in Marina del Rey briefly in an incredibly landscaped apartment complex with boardwalks through a tropical paradise — fake waterfalls and all. Sadly, the snails were real and abundant. Walking in the dark and hearing them crunch under my feet was my idea of a nightmare.
Ugh -- I hate stepping on snails, not least because I feel terrible for the snail!
DeleteMy foxglove seedlings are around 4/5 inches tall now, and most of them planted out where hopefully they will bloom at some point. I am disappointed that I have only got about 3 seedlings self sown from the plants last year. I thought there would be more! Any more rain, and they will all be washed away anyway!
ReplyDeleteYours are way ahead of ours! We did have one naturally re-seed, but as far as I know, that's it.
DeleteThey hide underneath and under the rims and other similar places. We have a snail execution block - two small squares of paving stone. It's grim.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think that's what happened -- it was under the rim of the tray. I don't think I could handle crunching them. I just throw them into the wilder corners of the garden.
DeleteI used to be squeamish too, but when they do that to your plants it's a case of them or me.
DeleteI wonder if our spare sunflower seedlings would travel to you safely?
ReplyDeleteThat sounds pretty risky to me, sadly! I have more seeds. I'll just plant another tray. But thanks for the offer. :)
DeleteYour weather has not been conducive to a decent flower growing season, that is for sure. But it is depressing how well the other side of nature--snails, aphids, etc.--seem to fare despite nasty conditions. The blighters.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the bugs don't seem at all fazed!
DeleteI don't know if you remember the year I found a number of sunflowers growing out in our yard (no doubt "planted" by squirrels & birds). I moved most of them to one central spot & I'm pretty sure none of them survived. I guess what I'm saying is that growing sunflowers is apparently complicated! Ah well.
ReplyDeleteI think they're like poppies -- they don't like to be moved.
DeleteAphids and snails! Gross! which is probably why I am not much of a gardener.
ReplyDeleteI am a daily visitor who sometimes pops in 2 times a day to look at added comments and responses, so am I counted twice?
Probably! But that's fine. I think "views" counts every time someone goes to the page, regardless of whether they're repeat visitors.
DeleteI never fly, but if I did I would definitely go to England. I'd be happy to help you kill aphids. I tend not to kill snails. I would probably gather them up and toss them over the fence. You know which one!
ReplyDeleteHa! I honestly don't do that to Mrs K, although I'm tempted. I don't kill the snails either. I let them loose in the back of the garden, which is a wilderness zone.
Delete"An adult aptera is shown below giving birth."- from the link! Robin's suggestion is a good one, although I would not be surprised to find out that your endearing neighbor has had the same idea, thus, the snail, and the plump waxy aphid pumping out those babies like milk! Sorry, no mercy, Squish them! Nothing lives forever, It would be "mercy " killing.
ReplyDeleteLOL -- I saw that photo. I know Mrs K uses slug pellets, so if I put snails in her garden it would mean consigning them to certain death.
DeleteI'll pass on the aphids but I'll read your blog everyday!
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you! (For passing on the aphids, I mean.)
DeleteMy sunflowers have survived the snow which amazes me. I planted some indoors and transplanted them outside weeks ago and I've also planted seeds over the six foot variety to amaze Jack.
ReplyDeleteI love lupines but hate bugs so I've quit growing them. I really can't stand aphids and I'm way too lazy to spray them. Good luck with foxgloves. My neighbor gave me a couple she had started from seed, I guess I'll see how or if they grow.
BTW, I don't think you're ever snarky.
Foxgloves are pretty durable and they're perfectly suited for this climate, which is one reason we like them so much. I feel snarky sometimes! Maybe sarcastic is a better way to put it.
DeleteYour adventures in gardening fascinate me since I can't seem to keep any plant alive. I'll pass on the aphid killing spree but I will continue to enjoy your daily posts. Did you put the snail back in the garden? I would have been tempted to throw it over the fence into the neighbor's yard.
ReplyDeleteI did indeed put it back outside. I threw it beneath our camellia bush, where there's nothing but ivy and irises and other things that will not be bothered by its presence.
DeleteWell, that snail had to eat SOMETHING and clearly that plant was your offering as its B&B host! "licking its snail chops" made me smile :)
ReplyDeleteI apologize for our North American lupin critters. Bad aphids! Here the blossoms are always covered in ants, which is why I don't want to grow them. But they grow in wild masses in many open areas along our highways, which is a marvellous sight for a few weeks in June each year.
They're probably covered in ants because of the aphids. Aphids excrete honeydew, a sweet sticky liquid that ants love.
DeleteAh! I didn't realize that about aphids!
DeleteWell, the sunflower noshing snail had me laughing out loud!
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying your blog for a short time now and I am in S. CO.
Can you believe that snail?! I was stunned that it happened INSIDE the house.
DeleteA "real" every day visitor from Kansas USA. Would someone please share their sunshine? It's been cloudy/rainy for days and really soggy underfoot.
ReplyDeleteHello Joyce! Believe me, I have no sunshine to share. We have been gray for days and days, with only brief intermittent bursts of sun, and it's super rainy here too. The garden loves it!
DeleteAh, a snail. They bugged me till I read The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating. I don't remember they liked sunflowers, but I guess you do. I feel for you with the aphids.
ReplyDeleteI've never read that. Is it a book? I'll have to look it up!
DeleteEvery once in a while I collect a bucket full of snails and slugs and take them for a little journey to a lonely road and leave them there. I have to admit I have done the same with live caught mice. Not sure I would be so nice to the aphids though. This reminds me that when I was a kid we never ever saw hard shelled snails around here, Central Scotland, just slugs, maybe it's down to climate change
ReplyDeleteInteresting that the snails have expanded their range! It's great that you relocate them rather than killing them outright. I figure a snail has a right to its life, you know?
DeleteI saw mention of aphids on rose plants on another blog. One of the commenters said we need more ladybugs and lacewings.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we get aphids on our roses too, but they don't seem to be too much of a problem. I leave them alone and other bugs just eat them.
Deleteat least it was a big snail. my four zinnia plants I bought (as opposed to the seeds I threw out) have been completely decimated by snails no bigger than my little fingernail. need to get some snail bait from the feed store.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we have big ol' snails here. They're basically escargot, though apparently not quite the same species. (I would never eat them, but some food foragers say that you can! LOL)
DeleteI have enjoyed reading your blog for years. Even went back and read from the beginning. I rarely comment, mostly a lurker. But I love to read the comments from others.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for reading! I can't believe you went all the way back -- that's a lot to catch up on!
DeleteTry stat counter for comparative stats.
ReplyDeleteI could bore you silly with SEO algorithms and strategies which I use for work clients but in 'real life' I ignore them and indeed almost deliberately write blog titles that won't attract traffic.
I don't even think about clicks when I write posts and titles. Which I guess is why I have 50 readers. LOL
DeleteAnd actually, like you, I am deliberately vague when I refer to some people or organizations because I don't want them Googling and finding my blog!
Delete