Butterflies & Caterpillers / Sprouts & Purple Sprouting Brocolli

[tracey14]

I have grown some purple sprouting brocolli and some sprouts for the first time this year in my newly constructed raised beds! (hopefully for my xmas dinner )

I thought I was doing well I cover them with a net until I saw the butterflies in there! I quickly realised after investigation that I had used the wrong net so I purchased some butterfly net quickly.

I thought all change I got up one morning at the crack of dawn to replace the net but to my horror the damage was already done! there were eggs on the leaves so I maticulosy went round and tried to remove them all before I put the new net on.

I thought great they look really good now! but as each day I look out the plants are now almost without leaves they are decimated. I finally gave up and removed the net as someone suggested the birds might come and eat the caterpillars.

My question is to you all

Have I done the right thing in giving up with them being netted?

Should I pull them all out and put something else in its place?

Will the catterpillars eat the actual SPROUT HEAD?

I have certainly learnt from this experience and hope that with the right net being on them immediately next year I will have the perfect plant!
You live and you learn dont you!

Tracey

[rustylady]

Pick off as many caterpillars as you can find and either squash them or drop them into a bucket of salty water. You can't rely on the birds to do it all for you.

[Pies]

Id spray with something

[HayleyB]

Nuke them....... Pyrethrin

[gojiberry]

I have had cabbage white's around all summer but it is only in the last three weeks that I have found any eggs on my brassicas, and I have found hundreds. Will have to be vigilant over the next few weeks. Am hoping I can do it without any sprays, but that is always a do or die option.

Ian