The Super Cabbage White

[maytreefrannie]

Any ideas welcome ------

I have some Brussels sprouts - strong stalks and about 2' tall. Also some cauliflower, little 'uns, only planted out a few weeks ago.

Anyway, they were all covered in netting recommended as a defence against butterflies.

Did it work?

No, all the plants are eaten all over, I hosed them this morning and doused them in washing-up-liquid-and-chilli-water. Couldn't think of anything else to do - the netting is off now as I'm trying to figure out how to put it up in a way that will be effective.

I'd appreciate if anyone has ideas on how to protect them.

[planesailing]

Did the netting in any way touch the plants?

[Two_Sheds]

A couple of determined butterflies will always get through any gaps. Also, you need to ensure there are no eggs on the plants before you net them.

Vigilance, vigilance

[Pies]

How fine was the mesh ?

[HayleyB]

My enviromesh was fine until my PSB and cabbages burst their way out and let the 'pillars in, serves me right putting two rows in the bed but honestly wasting so much room on one row would have been sacrilidge I wish they made mesh wider

[Finedon.Dandy]

Ooooh Oooooh I know the answer miss........*sticks hand in the air*...........I know how to stop the blighters.......

................you prance around the garden like a loony wearing your wifes pink crocs (cos they go on nice n quick) waving a childs pink fishing net.

Well thats what Mr D does anyways!!!!LOL!!!!

[rustylady]

Ooooh Oooooh I know the answer miss........*sticks hand in the air*...........I know how to stop the blighters.......

................you prance around the garden like a loony wearing your wifes pink crocs (cos they go on nice n quick) waving a childs pink fishing net.

Well thats what Mr D does anyways!!!!LOL!!!!

Tammy, are you sure you're feeling OK?, No twinges, etc. OOPs, sorry, I thought it was you, not Mr D. Anyway, hope you're feeling OK, and BTW does the above actually work??

[Gorgey Girl]

I did the enviromesh thing and hand picked off 'pillars and squashed the eggs before covering me brassicas up. Of course, there were some little b******s that got away and chobbled loads under the netting. I'm sad to say I resorted to 'Bug Clear for fruit and veg' (says it contains natural ingredients) and sprayed the lot. I did feel bad about the caterpillars squirming in agony as they died so those that I saw squirming I despatched underfoot. A day later I can see see a real difference with new, un-chobbled growth on all of the plants under the mesh.

I've got some kale and PSB outside of the mesh which I also gave a good dose of garlic and chilli concoction (as well as Bug Clear); stood and watched some butterflies the next day and they didn't go near them so I can only assume that they couldn't smell them. This is the first time I've sprayed anything stronger than the garlic/chilli mix but it seems worth it and I'll keep doing it to put them off the scent. Next year it's mesh all the way for me....

[maytreefrannie]

Did the netting in any way touch the plants?

I think the netting did touch the plants in places - they grew since I put it on.

A couple of determined butterflies will always get through any gaps. Also, you need to ensure there are no eggs on the plants before you net them.

Vigilance, vigilance

Looks like that's what happened - but how can we find mesh that they can't get through? Also even though I put the cover up a few hours after planting, I guess I could have had some eggs on there before I meshed them.

Pies, you ask how fine was the mesh - I thought it was very close but obviously I was mistaken.

THANKS to everyone for your replies, I'll re-mesh them tomorrow I think, keeping in mind your points.

[Two_Sheds]

I think the netting did touch the plants in places - they grew since I put it on.... how can we find mesh that they can't get through?

It's not cheap. I bought debris netting (3m wide is what you want) and rigged it over a tent-pole type contraption, held down with tent pegs.
Everyone laughed at my 4 ft high tent with 3 inch high sprout seedlings in it, but now the sprouts are touching the top.

I still got 3 butterflies inside it, when it was very windy the net got gaps blown in it. I managed to re-peg it, and squash the eggs before most of them hatched.

[ann-the-nan]

The Super Cabbage White.

I used enviromesh pretty promptly. It is taller than my psb's. Around the edge I buried the edges under soil, so even I can't get in. Everything seems fine now. I bought the netting direct from the manufacturers 'cos they have some 2nd hand bits. The size is 6 (I think)- but I don't know to what the number refers. I only know that when it was up I tried to water the psb's and the water just ran off, the mesh is so fine. Anyroadup, now it's been rained on frequently, the water gets through OK. I'm sold on this.

[fran]

I spent ages trying to rig up some enviromesh over my brassicas before i went away - it was v. difficult cos it wasn't wide enough and flocks of them could get in, but I left it like that for a week and took it off when I came back. There was one lot of eggs which I squashed and some caterpillars which went the same way, but the other day I noticed one great white butterfly repeatedly flying around the plants and I am convinced she was looking for the eggs she had laid a few days before because she didn't lay anything just kept hovering over the leaves, for ages - seemingly dissatisfied .......or am I being soppy?

Anyway, I'm just keeping a regular check now but will put back some sort of netting before winter - to deter the pigeons.

[Two_Sheds]

I tried to water the psb's and the water just ran off, the mesh is so fine.

I sink an upturned pop bottle next to the plants, and water into that: straight to the roots. Easier, and less wasteful