What's wrong with these cauliflowers?

[Incy]

My friend and I are both growing cauliflowers for the first time this year. His are a little ahead of mine and we've been admiring them daily as the heads grow. Yesterday we went to check on them and several of them have suddenly developed droopy outer leaves.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what may be going on and also, what, if anything can be done to help them recover?
Any ideas will be very gratefully received.

[rustylady]

Check the roots, I bet they've been nibbled.

[Incy]

What would have nibbled them rustylady. Am I looking for something specific?

[rustylady]

Cabbage root fly maybe Cabbage root fly / Royal Horticultural Society or cutworms.

[Incy]

Thanks, will check.

[lukens]

Most of my brassicas have gone droopy; maggots (I'm assuming cabbage root fly) were found at the roots. Lost all 25 of my turnips, amongst other things (They only did this in one of my beds, they decided to leave the other bed to the pigeons.)

As mentioned here I tried Nemasys 'Grow You Own' nematodes. I did find a few maggots that seemed to have been killed, but plenty of others still alive. I had only given it a day or so to work, but it was already too late for most of my babies.

[PAULW]

Shouldn't worry to much just get them cauli's cut before they blow

[Incy]

The problem is whether it will spread. There are other brassicas in the same area so we're a bit worried they'll all be a write off.

[lukens]

If they are cabbage root fly, then the next cycle could hit the other crops, if they're not already infected with the current cycle.

It would be worth having a poke around your other brassicas to check. Removing and squishing any maggots you do find anywhere, and getting some protection on ones that aren't yet affected.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I use collars to prevent this infestation.

I am fairly sure the maggots won't leave the roots of one plant and travel to another but unless your other plants are protected they will go the same way.

Colin

[Incy]

Thanks guys I'll pass the information along. I think some collars are in order pronto!

[lukens]

My infested plants have mostly been ones you can't collar, turnip, radish and salad leaves.

Seems that mesh is my only option, but with maggots and pupae possibly already in the soil, I'm not really sure what to do.

[Incy]

Having done some research today it seems like nemasys is the only control available. As you've already done that hopefully your other plants should be ok if meshed against future attacks.
Fingers crossed for you!

[Aberdeenplotter]

I use collars to prevent this infestation.


Colin

Me too. I make my own using 4" square pieces of carpet underlay with a slot cut in to the centre and then place around the stem of the plant with the Jute side upwards. Apparently, the fly lays its eggs on the jute pad and they then dry out so that the maggots cannot hatch

[binley100]

Don't they give somewhere for the snugs to hide out ...........