Daft celariac question re root boring grubs

[marchogaeth]

The first year I grew celariac, the roots all had channels in them that looked exactly like cabbage root fly damage pictures in books. I didn't think about it and last year just netted them and they were fine but I now know that they don't get cabbage root fly (do they?) so any ideas what they did have in year one and do I need to net against them if I am planting out now? I have 60 cracking plants ready to go and want to keep them looking that way. Thanks M.

[bearded bloke]

Carrot fly & celery fly both like to munch on celariac Carrot fly will most likely be what is boring into the root

[marchogaeth]

Thanks that would make sense. There's so much wild carrot around here that it even sneaks into the tunnel in peak season. That's more netting then! Why does this never seem to get mention as a pest? Even Joy Larkam doesn't reference it.

[bearded bloke]

No prob's,I found the reference in .. The Vegitable & Herb Expert by Dr. D. G. Hessayon page 46

[marchogaeth]

The oldies are the best then (The book not you!). I deffinitely saw a magazine article on growing it this year which said relatively pest free and Joy just talks about celary leaf miner.

[bearded bloke]

Page 46 .....
Celeriac Troubles

Slugs
These pests find young plants attractive - use slug pellets if necessary.

Carrot Fly
Not often a serious pest,but if carrot fly has plagued your garden in previous seasons then see control measures on page 42

Celery Fly
Attacks are much less frequent than on celery,& all that is usually necessary is to pick off the occasional blistered leaflet.If the problem is more serious,see control measures on page 49.



Page 42
Carrot Fly
Tell-tale signs are reddish leaves which wilt in sunny weather.At a later stage the leaves turn yellow.This pest is a major disorder of carrots that also attacks parsnips.Seedlings are killed;mature roots are riddled & liable to rot.Attacks are worse in dry soils.

Treatment
None

Prevention
Grow carrots well away from tall plants.Sow thinly & destroy all thinnings - no chemical treatment for the soil before sowing is available.Cover the seedlings with fine netting in the spring.If carrot fly is known to be a problem in your area,lift early varieties no later than August & delay the sowing of main crop carrots until June - lift maincrops as soon as they are large enough.



Page 49 ......

Celery Fly(Leaf Miner)
White 1/4" maggots tunnel within the leaves causing blisters to occur from May onwards,& the effects are most serious on young plants.Whole leaves may shrivel & die,& the stalks are stunted & bitter.

Treatment
Pinch out & destroy affected leaflets.Spraying with a contact insecticide has little effect.

Prevention
Never plant seedlings with blistered leaves.