Re: Rotting stump question

Slugs do find good habitat in rotting stumps. This should not be a serious problem though because this may act as a good bait and you can focus your slug control efforts near the stump. For several years when I was starting my garden here I used huge (4 or 5 foot dia) pieces of tree trunks to protect my hostas from wind desiccation. I could see the slug trails on the wood and at night would go out and spray the slugs with a 10% ammonia / 90% water solution. This solution can be sprayed right on the slugs and will not damage hosta leaves.
 
There are often many decay organisms found in decaying stumps. I don't think this would be a problem for hostas but I would experiment with cheaper hostas first before putting in prize hostas. I would be tempted to mix more soil in with your powdery decomposed wood at the base of the stump you are talking about to hold more moisture. I think this would be better for your hostas.
 
Dan Nelson
aka.....Treedude
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----- Original Message -----
From: a*@earthlink.net
To: hosta-open@mallorn.com
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2001 12:41 PM
Subject: Re: Rotting stump question

Linda,

I've done this very thing in not one, but three, stumps I have in my yard. However, it's all recent (a month ago, a bit more...) So far they seem to be faring well. Although, I did make sure that there were drainage areas.No slug damage so far, either, but it hasn't rained here in oh, a month or so.

-Alttara

Linda wrote:

Hi all,  I have a stump in  my main hosta area that has been rotting
away for years, but I am very fond of it...think it has "character"!!
This morning I removed most of the soft portion...the hard portion
left also has "character".
My question:  If I leave the mostly decomposed wood at the base,
almost a powder, mix in some soil, could I plant a hosta there and
not have it start rotting?  Also, am I leaving prime slug habitat by
not hauling away this rotting wood?
Thank you very much for any opions I may get...hope to get!
Linda Kofstad
s.Minn.
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