Strontium Dawg Posted September 6, 2014 Psycho0 threw a new pup at it's base a week ago and all was going well... It's been raining a lot here, and when I had a look this morning, something's been having a chew. I cant see any snail trails on the pot or near the cactus anywhere, so I am not sure what's beeing eating it and how to ward it off. i'd like to take action before it has another go and does some real damage. Any ideas? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Optimystic Posted September 6, 2014 (edited) should be fine imo... in the long run just a little battle scar but i'd look everytime I was around just to be sure best if you know what kind of bugs are around regularly and it could be any one but usually thats a random thing that just happens from time to time.... unless you have it happening more often I wouldn't worry a bit .. it will be not noticable before you know it not that cacti are immune to bites but since theres not much place for bugs to hide they don't usually hang around long Edited September 6, 2014 by Spine Collector Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_Cursive Posted September 6, 2014 Maybe a beetle? I'd used powdered Sulphur as a deterrent. Copper wire is a great deterrent to slugs and snails, or powdered copper if you don't have wire. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dreamwalker. Posted September 6, 2014 (edited) Maybe a beetle? I'd used powdered Sulphur as a deterrent. Copper wire is a great deterrent to slugs and snails, or powdered copper if you don't have wire. Copper wire?...that's neat...so what do they not like to slug over it?...do you need much or just 1 piece? Glaukus...check your plants out now & then @ nite...I do periodic evening slug removal .... Edited September 6, 2014 by Dreamwalker. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_Cursive Posted September 6, 2014 (edited) Hey Dreamwalker! Yeah man, it works a TREAT! The slugs and snails don't go anywhere near it, they pick up it's nearby and stay well away from it. The best part is it's re-usable, unlike the slug and snail bait (which ATTRACTS them if they're not nearby). You don't need much, 2.5mm TPS will be enough, just strip off the insulation.I'm an electrician, so I can get it anytime.Poppies suffer from attacks A LOT, so I make a circular perimeter around them, and just make it bigger as the plants get bigger. Edited September 6, 2014 by _Cursive 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strontium Dawg Posted September 6, 2014 Cool, I'll lay out some copper kryptonite! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jox Posted September 6, 2014 Could it be possibly it could of split from all the rain? I have had this happen to smaller cacti that are growing well & get a lot of water. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coolname Posted September 6, 2014 A mouse or rat could have decided to have a taste Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spooge Posted September 6, 2014 Slaters maybe.......... They tryn eat my cactus often. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strontium Dawg Posted September 6, 2014 Could be a mouse, like I said, no snail trails, but can't hurt to lay some copper. If it was a mouse, he must have had a good day...:-o Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Señor Corrochio Posted September 6, 2014 Larvae should definitely be on the list of possibilities. Every winter they demolish a lot of my lophs. I wouldn't really know how to stop them... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hostilis Posted September 7, 2014 It looks like splitting to me. It didn't really have any trails or chomp marks. Looks like it got too much water and just tore a bit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_Cursive Posted September 7, 2014 (edited) Powdered Sulphur is great when over-Wintering cacti (as long as they're not getting wet by the rain) as most insects don't like it. Edited September 7, 2014 by _Cursive Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strontium Dawg Posted September 7, 2014 It's not a split, it's a definite chew job, whatever it is, it didn't eat much and hasn't come.back for more yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coolname Posted September 7, 2014 It could even be from a bird. My chickens have left marks like that on a couple of my lophs. But they didn't come back for seconds Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evil Genius Posted September 7, 2014 (edited) Slug, Bug, Caterpillar, Bird, Deer. I Have this kind of Damage every year on the Plants that i leave outside. Edited September 7, 2014 by Evil Genius 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hostilis Posted September 7, 2014 One of my echinopsis split open after a rain storm and it looked just like this. I'll have to post a pic later. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strontium Dawg Posted September 8, 2014 The bastard's developed a taste for pachanoi now, this means war... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strontium Dawg Posted September 8, 2014 Could be a bird... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Señor Corrochio Posted September 8, 2014 definitely not bird. I'd say most likely larva/caterpillar damage not much you can do. They're not doing any real damage anyways, in a month you wouldn't even notice those marks. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FancyPants Posted September 10, 2014 I think birds would leave more small indented marks. Those marks look more like scoops, either from rodent or caterpillar. Prob caterpillar given the trail of scooping. I've got some ormus with CuSo4 made for human skin application, would that be suitable to protect my paps and cacti? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites