Plant cut down, Man/Animal

[Guest]

I was wondering if anyone has had experience w/ deer eating plants? I had a NYCD and fertilized it with fish formula last night, this morning the four main stalks were cut off just above the base. I'm wondering if the fish formula attracted the deer (which are constantly around) or do I have a much bigger concern??????

 

[CalcioErba2004]

does it look like it was cut or bit and pulled?

 

[Guest]

That's the thing, it could go either way, I really find it hard to believe it was someone, I have alot of land with little access, someone would to had to see me last night to know where the plant was. That's why I think the fish formula had something to do with it and if so do I dare use it on my other plants.

 

[Babbabud]

Deer will just nip them off like nothing .... hang some mothballs around ...

 

[bartender187]

^^^
go to your local huntin supply store... by some powdered coyote urine... spread it around the plants... the dear wont go near.... or... you can use human hair as a cheap alternative... dear wont cross it.

 

[shaolin730]

/Me grows his hair out for an extra month and cries at his bank account balance.

 

[JACKBAYBEH]

I've endorsed the coyote piss in 2-3 other threads. That's how well it
worked for me!! I wouldn't go outdoor without it again.

 

[CalcioErba2004]

Well i doubt it was the fish stuff....deer eat hemp...any kind even NYCD. Piss around it I bet you won't have anymore deer problems. :smile:

 

[lester gas]

Lester has had raccoons attracted to fish emulsion. They leave tracks everywhere and maybe dig up a couple o plants when recently applied. Seems like they learn they wont find a meal when they smell it-- the damage tapers off as the season evolves.
We are test driving coyote urine this year-- a brand named 'shake away'($17 for 20oz) available at garden supply stores. Seems like it would have to work.
Deer have no upper front teeth but have a sharp set of lower front teeth. When they raid your plants, they are biting up against their upper palate; then ripping their cute little heads sideways so as to tear the top off. My experience is only with mule deer (when it comes to them ripping plants) but I'll bet it would be the same with say, white tails in kentucky , or axis deer in hawaii. Muleys always leave a rough, diagonal tear on the stem. It will usually be like a 45 degree angle and shreded. I have had them ripped right at ground level but it's usually six inches or so above the ground. I'll bet elk and moose could do a number!! but haven't had that happen yet. Rats and rabbit usually dont leave that perfect angle in the stem--rats usually chop half way through just to get it down so they can get the nice,fat cola and buds.

 

[Harry Gypsna]

I do remember reading somehwere about using fish emulsion, or even the old fashioned way of using a dead fish in every plant hole attracting wildlife....

 

[tokinjoe]

Four years ago I started out with 24 of the prettiest plants I had grown to date, all started in a greenhouse I built and transplanted outdoors when they were 15". Two weeks later, thanks to the deer, I only had 4 left, 2 of which turned out to be females, one hermie and one male. I've tried lots of things and have ended up using chickenwire painted olive green and not one deer has gotten my plants since. The problem I found with "scent based" products is that some of them work, some don't. You spread coyote piss and one hard rain later it's gone, etc....Once I put the fence around my plants, I never have to worry about re-scenting, etc...Put the fence up, it's done...

One thing I've noticed is that the earlier in spring the plants are put out, the more likely the deer are going to eat them. Being a deerhunter here in the South I guess I pay attention to certain things, and after all winter of not having much greenery to eat, the deer really tend to browse heavily on the new growth (buds, tender shoots) growing in the woods, and especially in the sunlit openings that we tend to plant in. As spring wears on and the browse matures, or "hardens", the deer spend much more time in the fields eating. I don't mean to try and give a lesson in deer biology here, but it helps me to know about the deer in a lot of different ways.

Another problem myself and a lot of outdoor growers have is animals digging up newly planted plants, mostly within the first few days of planting. This is typically done by skunks, foxes and raccoons. They live in this area, and are simply curious as to the scent of the new or newly turned soil, and are looking to see what may be buried there. I've started putting my soil in my holes I've dug a couple of weeks before the plants are ready to be planted and have noticed at least half are dug in, but it seems once the critters dig in the holes and find nothing there, they don't come back. Of course, the chicken wire is up as soon as I put my plants in, but you get the point. I'm no master by any means, just some ideas that may help. Good luck. TJ

 

[buzzerd]

go down to the local beauty salon or barber shop and get a bag full of hair and make a wide enough circle around your plants, deer wil never bother them again, an old trick my grandmother taught me .don't know why but they just don't like them

keep it green .Buzzerd

 

[nycnoob]

that sucks man.. I am sorry for you.. yeah for this community I hear that human hair works.. I dont think you should use your own of course.. never heard of the coyote piss but I am sure it works.. Lougrew is a great outdoors man..thats one advice that I am sure wont go wrong..

 

[Guest]

Darth,
Pack a big bowl,put on a light jacket,grab the ole 12 gauge from the mantle and go spend some time in the field at nite with your plants,its fun and you can see just what is coming around at nite,and as a side benefit,ya may get to shoot something thats eating your plants

 

[tokinjoe]

I'M NOT LOUGREW!!! LOL He has the same sig I have, but I had it first....lmao....But thanks anyhow....

 

[Guest]

Hi DV ... deer would not be attracted to fish formula, but raccoons, skunks, dogs, cats, coyote, and other carnivores WOULD be. If you want to grow organically outdoors, use some sort of repellent. I have heard that moth balls and Irish Spring soap can be used, but I am using a product called "Liquid Fence" this year (recommended by a friend). It has worked really well so far, and it is safe and all natural.... made w/ garlic and putrified eggs. No discernable odor to humans when dry and is applied once a month (even if it rains between applications). Not only has it protected my pot plants, but also my wifes lillies and hostas, which are usually chewed to the ground every year by now. MG

 

[especialsov]

Sorry to hear about the loss. I have been growing outdoors for three years now and the best way to avoid deer, rabbits and all the critters out in the sticks is to leave hair around the perimeter of your grow and u can also let your dogs (if u have any) poop around the area of your plants and let them mark the territory with their urine as well as your own if feasible. Belive me they will not come around the grow area until the urine and hair have subside a bit. For extra protection do this for the first couple of months so it can have the desire effect of a repellent to your plants. It has worked for me quite well and is a very healthy alternative than using chemicals and other carcinogenic products that may not work. Try this and let us know of the progress, I bet you will be amazed. By the way most time they nip at the outgrowing shoots and not bother the main stalk. I know i had this happened to me last year. I left those ladies out there and they grew back better than ever and did not have the shape of the herb plant but a bush type that will camouflage from unwanted visitors. If this continues then you have the two legged predator which is a worse deal to deal with. Good Luck