Duh! They are garden predators. These pests want to eat your young sprouts and will destroy them quickly and efficiently. Bean sprouts are especially prone because the 2 halves of what was your bean seed become the cotyledons. In other words, the first two leaves that the plant forms upon sprouting out of the ground are still viable edible material for these plant assassins.
Bean Sprout With Cotyledons
So, logically, we must protect our young beans from attack so that their initial growth stage is strong. This is something I knew going in, as I remember mom and dad covering the pole beans with milk jug halves implanted 1-2 inches into the ground. This will lead to stronger bean plants and a better harvest. However, I was lazy and took my chances with uncovered beans. Lo and behold, half of them were destroyed within a couple of days, and I was left to replant, having learned my lesson the hard way.
Now, my second crop is just peeking out of the ground, and technology is in order. Humans, be smarter than nature; Use your tools! As I've made clear, I'm poor, and a poor-planner, so I don't have 40 milk jugs on hand with which to protect my young tender sprouts. Therefore, I have used my engineering talents to MacGyver some proper replacements. Actually, to be fair, this isn't really science....just using what's sitting around the kitchen.
Ball Jar "Devices" (hope this works!)
Appeasement Strategies Aside: Ways To Kill The Bastards.
If you have other cheap or easy solutions to this problem, please share in the comments section.
In the spirit of family solidarity I lost a first round of cukes to slugs. On the positive side it has been raining so much around here that the weeds are fat and happy. I've tried the drown 'em in beer method. It is beyond gross. I read the link you sent on killing the bastards. I might try the oat bran method just for kicks. I still can't quite figure out the posting thisn here which is why it says anonymous. Aunt Chris imhoffc@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteYes Yes, it's time for some sun. Is 2+ days in a row too much to ask for?
ReplyDeleteThe beer method only killed 2 of my enemies, so I'll probably have to try something else. A friend of mine used copper wire...apparently it carries enough natural electrical charge to kill 'em.
I still don't know why you have to post anonymously. It could have something to do with having (or not having) a Google account.
By the way, the canning jars succeeded as a slug-deterrent. Unfortunately they also succeeded in cooking the bean sprouts. Use containers that are open to the air.
ReplyDelete