The plants will usually recover if the problem is caught early enough. All depends on how much damage is done to the central core, the new center growth.

Unless you use one of the available control/pesticide products on the plants you'll have to hand pick them off at least daily.

Dave

Thanks, the central core seems ok so far. I'll have a look in the morning. Should I leave the leaves on so that if there are any snails they'll carry on eating those? So they don't get to the middle just yet!

Leave the leaves on for the plant's good not the snails - actually they are probably slugs anyway. If they are on the plant they won't care which leaves they are eating and will eat them all. So the goal is no slugs/snails on the plant anywhere.

There are controls available - both organic and synthetic.

Dave

Check under those big stones. I bet you'll find some of the culprits sheltering under them during the day.

Try either Sluggo or Escar-Go for slugs/snails. Or use row covers to create a physical barrier. Both work. And both exceedingly safe.

Try either Sluggo or Escar-Go for slugs/snails. Or use row covers to create a physical barrier. Both work. And both exceedingly safe.

Thanks everybody, I'll keep checking everyday. They're definitely snails though not slugs. How do I use row covers?

I've never found that row covers prevent snails from accessing plants. That would only work if each plant was in a 'bag' of its own with the fabric tightly wrapped around the stem. In fact I find they like to congregate in clumps where the cover touches the ground, especially if it is folded or rucked up. Plus there are sometimes tiny baby snails already on the plants and if you miss them they just sit under the cover enjoying their own personal protected buffet.

One good thing - IME snails are easier to deal with because they don't live in the soil like many species of slug. At least you can see them and pick them off easily.

I've been picking the snails off every morning and the numbers have gone way down. I'll carry on and see what happens, thanks. Also can any one tell me what this beetle is and if it's just as responsible?