Hosta Question

K

kbeachcat123

Jack Russells RULE!
Hello, I was wondering if someone can help me:

I have Hostas, albeit drying due to the drought. I realize Hostas are pretty hardy and will return year after year. I noticed that something has been eating all the leaves off, and they look like they've had a haircut (shorn leaves, equally throughout).

What could be eating them? Raccoons, deer? If the wildlife is dehydrated I am hesitant to leave out water for fear that more fearsome things will appear (possums uggh).

Any advice/help/suggestions is most appreciated.

Thank you!
 
Agee

Agee

Well-Known Member
kbeachcat123 said:
Hello, I was wondering if someone can help me:

I have Hostas, albeit drying due to the drought. I realize Hostas are pretty hardy and will return year after year. I noticed that something has been eating all the leaves off, and they look like they've had a haircut (shorn leaves, equally throughout).

What could be eating them? Raccoons, deer? If the wildlife is dehydrated I am hesitant to leave out water for fear that more fearsome things will appear (possums uggh).

Any advice/help/suggestions is most appreciated.

Thank you!
Click to expand...

Probably deer, notice any foot-prints around the plants, do you have a pic of said plants?
 
K

kbeachcat123

Jack Russells RULE!
Here are pix. The file "hosta3" is what they're supposed to look like. The files "hosta1" and "hosta2" are what happened after the "night-clipper" came into town.
 
Agee

Agee

Well-Known Member
kbeachcat123 said:
Here are pix. The file "hosta3" is what they're supposed to look like. The files "hosta1" and "hosta2" are what happened after the "night-clipper" came into town.
Click to expand...

Deer, my dear!

Many a deer deterent product out there and homemade concoctions as well. I've had the best luck with a product sold at the nursery located next to Arizona Pizza in Leonardtown. Don't remember the name, but ask the sales folks they'll point you in the right direction.

I have a large bed of Hostas behing my house, the deer have left them alone. Probably because they work on the roses, cone flowers, asters, etc.
 
jazz lady

jazz lady

~*~ Rara Avis ~*~
PREMO Member
Definitely deer. They destroyed half of my hosta last year and ate it down to the ground. They also ate about half of my Stargazer lilies and a couple of other plants, all of which have recovered nicely this year.

I went to Lowe's last year and got a product called "Deer Off" in a blue spray bottle. It also works for repelling rabits and squirrels. It's organic and just a mixture of eggs, hot pepper extract, and garlic. It smells like hell for about an hour after application, but after that the smell is gone. I only have had to apply it a couple of times. The deer have NOT touched any of my plants this year. :yay:
 
BS Gal

BS Gal

Voted Nicest in 08
Mine look like that, also. I'm getting the stuff Jazz suggested. My boss is also using it and says it works great. I'm also thinking about spraying it around the bird feeder to keep the squirrels off. Think that would work, Jazz?
 
BS Gal

BS Gal

Voted Nicest in 08
jazz lady said:
Definitely deer. They destroyed half of my hosta last year and ate it down to the ground. They also ate about half of my Stargazer lilies and a couple of other plants, all of which have recovered nicely this year.

I went to Lowe's last year and got a product called "Deer Off" in a blue spray bottle. It also works for repelling rabits and squirrels. It's organic and just a mixture of eggs, hot pepper extract, and garlic. It smells like hell for about an hour after application, but after that the smell is gone. I only have had to apply it a couple of times. The deer have NOT touched any of my plants this year. :yay:
Click to expand...
I don't think I have any rabits, though. :lmao:
 
jazz lady

jazz lady

~*~ Rara Avis ~*~
PREMO Member
BS Gal said:
Mine look like that, also. I'm getting the stuff Jazz suggested. My boss is also using it and says it works great. I'm also thinking about spraying it around the bird feeder to keep the squirrels off. Think that would work, Jazz?
Click to expand...

It's the best thing I've found for repelling deer. It might work on the bird feeder, but what I've done that has worked VERY well is to mix cayenne pepper in with the bird seed. Birds can't taste it but it lights up the squirrels when they get their tongue on it. :lmao:

One hint - be very careful when mixing it in with the seed and filling the feeders - and do NOT do either one on a windy day. :yikes: :jameo:
 
jazz lady

jazz lady

~*~ Rara Avis ~*~
PREMO Member
BS Gal said:
I don't think I have any rabits, though. :lmao:
Click to expand...

Rabits? French rabbits or something? :confused:



:razz: I don't have any rabbits in my yard either. The kitties have taken care of that. :ohwell:
 
jazz lady

jazz lady

~*~ Rara Avis ~*~
PREMO Member
Speaking of deer...

when I was leaving for work this morning, I saw a deer standing on the shoulder of Chingville Road. It looked weird the way it was standing and then I realized its front right leg was completely missing. But it moved very well in spite of the lost limb. Amazing.
 
BS Gal

BS Gal

Voted Nicest in 08
jazz lady said:
It's the best thing I've found for repelling deer. It might work on the bird feeder, but what I've done that has worked VERY well is to mix cayenne pepper in with the bird seed. Birds can't taste it but it lights up the squirrels when they get their tongue on it. :lmao:

One hint - be very careful when mixing it in with the seed and filling the feeders - and do NOT do either one on a windy day. :yikes: :jameo:
Click to expand...
I tried that ONCE and then I rubbed my eye.:ohwell:
 
Dougstermd

Dougstermd

ORGASM DONOR
kbeachcat123 said:
Hello, I was wondering if someone can help me:

I have Hostas, albeit drying due to the drought. I realize Hostas are pretty hardy and will return year after year. I noticed that something has been eating all the leaves off, and they look like they've had a haircut (shorn leaves, equally throughout).

What could be eating them? Raccoons, deer? If the wildlife is dehydrated I am hesitant to leave out water for fear that more fearsome things will appear (possums uggh).

Any advice/help/suggestions is most appreciated.

Thank you!
Click to expand...



Deer love em. I had such great big ones in norfolk could barely grow them in SOMD.

and always when its a drought. I knew one lady who used nets and all sorts of deterants. The pepper spray worked best for me.
 
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