Water Snails

[Mike Amies]

I have been growing orchids for at least 35 years, but theirs always something more to learn.
I have been growing my orchids mostly in moss with a small amount of charcoal and Hortag (little volcanic beads). Upon seeing slugs I would get some slug clear liquid and water all my plants with it. My orchids have grown better than ever this year and I have around 40 in bloom at the moment. However, I lost some orchids from one supplier and upon speaking to them they said that "slugit" kills the roots of Odontoglossum and their alliances and they advised I get some Nematodes and treat everything with that and it would kill the slugs and the water snails. I rang a company who supplied me with the nematodes but they said that they would not kill any snails because they cannot get through their defences. I rang another orchid supplier to get a further opinion and they said that they used "Slugit" themselves and have not had any problems. Another firm said that they grew their orchids in bark and did not have either any slug or water snail problems.

? Does anyone know how to get rid of Water snails on the whole range of orchids including Odonts. as they are my favourite and these little snails are crawling up my spikes and feeding on all the soft bits until the tips falls over.

Best regards Mike Amies

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi Mike,

I have never had that problem with my orchids, but to get rid of snails in my fish take, I just drop in a couple of pennies. I think it is the copper that kills the snails. I am not certain how it works, but a pet store owner told me about it and it worked for my fish tank. It took awhile, but they all died and no more hatched out. Not sure if this will help with your orchids, but maybe a starting place.

Cheers,
BD

[clintdawley]

Diatomaceous Earth is really good for slugs/snails and won't harm orchid roots. Just sprinkle some around the potting medium.

[Cjcorner]

I need some of that diatamacious earth to put all over my yard. I find slugs that look like someone lost their tongue, out in the front flower beds all the time. Ick! Florida has some big crazy bugs!
Connie

[Brutal_Dreamer]

...I find slugs that look like someone lost their tongue, out in the front flower beds all the time. I...Connie

That sounds just horrible!

Cheers,
BD

[wetfeet101b]

Are the slugs and snails actually living inside the pots? or do they travel from the ground and up to your orchids?

>> I just drop in a couple of pennies. I think it is the copper that kills the snails. I am not certain how it works, but a pet store owner told me about it and it worked for my fish tank.

Drawing from both my aquarium and gardening experience:
1. Copper + Snails = It is true that copper messes up the snail's nerves and prolonged exposure kills the snail. That is why some people line their pots with a ring of exposed copper wire. The snails cant cross over and leave the plants alone.

2. Copper + Aquarium/Pond fish = Depending on the pH of the water, copper can dissolve slowly in the fish tank and become free floating in the water. This kills snails, and also kills other parasites that are attacking the fish. Most aquarium parasite treatments are copper based.

3. Copper + Corals = Dead Corals. Corals also are prone to the same nerve damage that snails suffer when exposed to copper.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Are the slugs and snails actually living inside the pots? or do they travel from the ground and up to your orchids?

>> I just drop in a couple of pennies. I think it is the copper that kills the snails. I am not certain how it works, but a pet store owner told me about it and it worked for my fish tank.

Drawing from both my aquarium and gardening experience:
1. Copper + Snails = It is true that copper messes up the snail's nerves and prolonged exposure kills the snail. That is why some people line their pots with a ring of exposed copper wire. The snails cant cross over and leave the plants alone.

2. Copper + Aquarium/Pond fish = Depending on the pH of the water, copper can dissolve slowly in the fish tank and become free floating in the water. This kills snails, and also kills other parasites that are attacking the fish. Most aquarium parasite treatments are copper based.

3. Copper + Corals = Dead Corals. Corals also are prone to the same nerve damage that snails suffer when exposed to copper.

Great information! Thanks. I should clarify. I have an aquarium that I call a fish tank. I actually do not have fish in it. I grow aquarium plants. I put in a couple of fish every so often when my nieces and nephew come for a visit, but mostly, I just grow the plants.

Cheers,
BD

[smartie2000]

I want to mention that with high enough concentration of copper, fish can die too or become very stressed....most books I read don't recommend putting coins into fish tanks for that reason. The part that was contradictory was that many parasite treatments have copper ions. So I assume that copper toxicity to fish depends on the type of fish and the concentration

[IdahoOrchid]

I want to mention that with high enough concentration of copper, fish can die too or become very stressed....most books I read don't recommend putting coins into fish tanks for that reason. The part that was contradictory was that many parasite treatments have copper ions. So I assume that copper toxicity to fish depends on the type of fish and the concentration

A large water change and frequent follow up water changes after treatment will mitigate the copper levels.