Under Attack!

[PyreneesPlot]

Brassicas.

So normally I suffer from flea beetle and slug attack. Those are both there, of course but also brassica beetle, white fly and cabbage white. Normally the latter 2 are only a late season problem and easily managed but this year the plants are swamped.

So I've netted as best I can which is the first time it has been necessary in 6 years, but of course this only keeps the butterflies off and I'll have to lift the netting each night for slug removal and daily for flea beetle/brassica beetle squishing.

There are so many CWB they are laying on the peppers, chillies and tomatoes, too


Just a general grumble really

[mothhawk]

Brassicas really are a pain. I have to grow them under micromesh to keep off flea beetles and CWB and pigeons, but that looks fairly ugly in the back garden. So this year, much as I love cabbages and kale, I'm only going to grow 4 kale plants, and they'll have to take their chances in the open. If needs be, I'll sow some more later in the year and keep them under a cloche for protection.

What's really annoying is that there are acres of OSR nearby, and the CWB never seem to go over there and lay their eggs.

[Jungle Jane]

I had a problem with cabbage White butterflies,found out that they can't see very well & if they think there's already a c.w.butterfly at the leaf area,they won't go near it. So I cut small strips of old white fabric tied it in the middle with string & tied them with string to the netting & had some on sticks,the fabric moves in the breeze,but it's amazing,they don't go near the pretend butterflies. It's very interesting to watch actually. A beer trap might attract the slugs.

[mothhawk]

That's amazing, Jane. I shall definitely try that trick. thanks for the tip.

[PyreneesPlot]

Brilliant thanks JJ.
As for a beer trap, I'd need a few kegs !

[Penellype]

Was gardening at my friend's today and she said someone had told her that if you soak a garlic bulb in water for a couple of days then put the liquid in dishes near plants you want to protect, it deters slugs. Apparently they don't like the smell. I'm trying it and will report back, although to be fair at the moment we don't have a huge slug problem anyway.