Hi Poppyseed, If you, for whatever reason, don't like using slug pellets (and many don't), the most effective method of keeping slugs and snails away from young plants is to place a 2/3" circle of sharp, small stones an inch high around them. The slugs/snails find it difficult (or painful!) to ...

That's most helpful, John. My previous method had been to dig each one up individually, trace it back to the parent plant and cut it off with secateurs. With the sheer numbers this year (reason for which mystifies me) I had a day of the triffids vision. What you suggest seems much more time-effectiv...

Thanks to you both. Yes, some could be saved for new plants but the real issue this year is the sheer numbers of off-line suckers. There must over a hundred in a 10m row that are surplus to replacement. I'll try hoeing them carefully.

Regards, Tristram

What is the best way to deal with the offshoots that come up way outside of the line that you have allocated to the main canes? If I pluck them off, they just regrow but were I to use glycophosphate I surely run the risk of killing the parent plant because they are interconnected. Advice please.