I don't have much problem with insects, as I grow in pots in Texas. However, I believe the most often problem with hosta is slugs and snails. I understand that people use both toxic and non-toxic methods to control them both . From what I've read here, a mixture of ammonia and water, applied at specific times and intervals works well. Some of the applications are timed to destroy the eggs.

I'm sure someone will give you more specific information.

bkay

I am wondering if you meant fertilizer?

There is no reasons to use insecticide, like almost ever.

Save your money, keep your health and protect environment.

I have never used any insecticide when planting. I agree with Ken that one should address pest problems as they occur rather than innoculate the ground to start.

If you’re referring to avoiding a slug problem, correct me ken and lindalana, a 10% mixture of vinegar and water can be sprayed on the tops of the rhizomes after cutting back your leaves. I got hit bad this year and will be doing this. Repeat in spring just as the pips are coming up. You won’t kill them all but should have a significant reduction. Also treat throughout the summer with sluggo or additional vinegar spraying. The mixture is actually good for the Hostas.

"The mixture is actually good for the Hostas."

Really? Can you explain how the either the vinegar solution or the Sluggo is of any benefit to the hostas? Undiluted table vinegar (and stronger horticultural formulations) is actually used as an herbicide........

The only thing I have ever put on my hosta (and I have a LOT of hosta!) is spray to try to prevent the deer from eating them. I'm pretty sure I use Deer Out and have my yardman spray them weekly in the spring about about every 3 weeks the rest of the year. So far, so good this year! I have not had a problem with slugs/snails etc here in KY. Feeding? They get some homemade compost every couple of years as top dressing and I do include that when I plant them.

I did not mean to insult anyone as all knowledgeable. But I have had this concoction referred to me by several quite knowledgeable hosta people for the terrible slug problem I have had this year. I was also told that the 10% solution was good for the plants. Maybe those people will comment here. If not, no offense taken, I will be treating my garden as recommended.

I didn't mean to question the effectiveness of either the vinegar solution or the sluggo to help control slugs. But being "actually good for the hostas" is a big leap away from slug control and it was that statement I was curious about.

I thought it was an ammonia mixture (from 10% to 50%, depending on time of year) , which has a VERY mild fertilizing effect. I would not spray my hosta with vinegar. That's what you use to spray/kill weeds.

Babka has giant slugs in her neighborhood. She uses a sluggo type of insecticide of some sort.

I think the less toxic solution is ammonia, not vinegar.

bkay

So the deal with ammonia. I have used undiluted vinegar as weed killer. As for ammonia, am thinking I heard 1 to 5 or even stronger dilution can be used for slugs. I usually somewhere around 1 to 10. It is aqueous ammonia after all will need lot of nitrifying bacteria to convert into food nitrate .

I am sorry, I have confused vinegar and ammonia. Undiluted vinegar I have used for weeds. The ammonia, bought right in the grocery I understood 10% solution was treatment for slugs. I also heard as bkay2000 said that this had a fertilizing effect on the hostas. Please correct me if I’m still wrong as I will be treating with 10% ammonia solution very soon. Thanks for your help.

My guess what gardengal pointing out that housenhold ammonia should not be used as a fertilizer. Ammonium nitrate or sulfate is a fertilizer. Different formula and it should be noted. Housenhold ammonia will have some fertilizing benefit after bacteria breaks it down to nitrogen form plants can use. You can potentially harm your leaves but it is a fall so who cares?

No, it was actually the comment about the vinegar :-) But with the correction to using household ammonia, I'd also exercise some caution. It is often not just ammonium hydroxide but may contain a variety of detergents and/or solvents. And at a 10% dilution of a 5-10% solution (the standard for household ammonia), any fertilizing benefits will be minimal.

The theory is valid :-) It is just the execution that leaves much to be desired!

I will only use after I cut back the leaves this fall and in spring just as the pips come up...:-)

Folks! Thank you so much for your comments. I swear up and down I was reading some comments on this forum and someone writes that when they plant hostas they add bayers fertilizer + insecticide + fungicide granules to the soil at the time of planting. Even if there are no pests now they will come when they sense the hostas. So I thought it was par to use insecticide at the time of planting.

I am glad you dont use and dont advocate the use of insecticides.

I just went ahead and planted my tiny hostas today. As a slug/snail deterrent i sprinkled a ring of epsome salt around each hosta over the mulch. I just read that can be effective.

Is the the threat from snails/slugs only when the hostas are little or always? I have some 'very' mature hostas that came with our house that we bought 19 years ago. I have never seen any damage on those. But those are in totally different part of the property.

Thank you!!!

The slugs can occur on any age hosta, young or old, but young can be more vulnerable. Also certain varieties are more slug resistant than others. On the front page of the Hosta Library, there is a link that says “Rawson ‘s List.” If you click on it, you can find a list of SLUG RESISTANT HOSTAS. It will give you ideas for resistant hostas for your yard.