cabbage root fly :(

[Nicki85]

I'm new to growing brassicas and have just had my first failure and so early on in the season!!

Yesterday I dutifully went round and put cabbage collars on all my brassicas- red cabbage, kale and cauliflowers. Today I went out and I was to late!! Three of my kale were droopy, pulled them out- no root.

I'm really worried now that they are all going to die.

I've also got swede (right next to the kale) which are still looking really healthy but not to sure if I can/ should protect them? If I put some fleece down now will I be trapping any possible bugs in the soil?

Also do they go for Kohl Rabi?

So any tips on protecting the swedes? Do you think I willl lose the rest? And my poor Kohl Rabi!

It's a sad evening.

On the plus side the rabbits really enjoyed the young kale :/

[Paulottie]

Not noticed them causing damage to swedes...hope that's some consolation!

[Two_Sheds]

I've never had them on my greens (I don't sow direct, I plant out good sized seedlings that are a bit more immune to attack) but they do infest my radishes every spring. I can only eat October-sown radishes which is a shame because I love them.

[womble]

I've never had them on swedes, but then I've never been able to grow swedes anyway
When you transplant, you need to collar up straight away, not later.

[Nicki85]

Well fingers crossed for the swedes!! How about kohl rabbi?

Yup learnt my lesson... even though they were transplanted in to the beds when a decent size you need collars on straight away!!

Also do they lurk in the soil? Do I need to replant the area with something non-brassica?

[chris]

What are the tell tail signs of this? So far all my brassicas are fine.. They're covered in debris netting all the time (holes not sewn up though)

[poohpouri]

sorry what are collars?

[Two_Sheds]

Collars are exactly what they sound like: circular things that you put around the stem of the plant, to stop the maggots burrowing down to the roots.
They can be made of cardboard, or you can spend money down the GC: either way, the fly lays it's eggs on them, and they dehydrate and die

[Snadger]

What are the tell tail signs of this? So far all my brassicas are fine.. They're covered in debris netting all the time (holes not sewn up though)

Cabbage root fly attacked brassicas wilt in warm weather, leaves turn yellow and plant eventually dies.
They can sometimes be saved though by squishing the maggots and earthing the plant up. It will hopefully put out new roots into the earthed up portion but will always be the 'runt' of the litter
I would think you would be reasonably safe if they are covered in debris netting anyway!