Grr summits eatin me leaves!

[Millie]

Went down to lottie to check on weeds, not been down for couple of days, and my neighbour congtratulated me on my seedlings taking so well. But loads of the leaves from the sprouts and cabages have been munched! Will it not make any difference to the growth and what I get? I thought that once they had been munched, that was your lot

And potatoes are a hardy bunch! Despite thinking we had them all out, Ive got more sprouting from the ground! Along with lots of weed friends!

[Batfink]

...But loads of the leaves from the sprouts and cabages have been munched! Will it not make any difference to the growth and what I get?

That's a coincidence! After planting ours out on friday, I noticed today that 2 of them are now little stalks - no leaves what-so-ever. The remaining 4 aren't looking hugely healthy either. There's a few nibbles around the edges - but not the sort you'd get from slugs etc.

It turns out that we've got a friendly pheasant who, as well as taking care of our slugs, plucking off the occasional gooseberry or blackcurrant, has taken a liking to the brasicas. The bastard.

So, enviromesh was wheeled out, chucked across the top in the hope of keeping the little blighter at bay!

I thought that once they had been munched, that was your lot

Apparently not. A friend popped over to help setup the mesh and said, rather than dig up the sticky bits (purple sprouts, free with Kitchen Gardener magazine... or similar), we should leave them in - apparently they can regrow - although will be inherently weak for a week or two.

[Millie]

Thanks for the reply, will be assessing any further damage tomorrow, lets hope the critters have moved on elsewhere, or I may have to google for enviromesh lol!

[Andy Hamilton]

I am wondering if this is the cabbage fly? I noticed a few maggots in my radishes.

[hedgewizard]

Cabbage fly doesn't damage the tops so far as I know, just lays its eggs in any gap in the soil at the base of the stem. Then the larvae tunnel in!

[Andy Hamilton]

Cabbage fly doesn't damage the tops so far as I know, just lays its eggs in any gap in the soil at the base of the stem. Then the larvae tunnel in!

ah I see, yep they were happily eating away at the radishes themselves.

catterpillers around on your plot?

[Batfink]

catterpillers around on your plot?

I'd answer, but a shortage of wood to touch makes me a little cautious to commit to anything

[Andy Hamilton]

I'd answer, but a shortage of wood to touch makes me a little cautious to commit to anything

I seem to have every last insect living on my allotment. It is nice to see nature around, but I could do without some of them. I even found a catapillar in my concreate back yard, hiding in the tyres for the potatoes.



I would put money on the fact that you will have some of the little blighters hiding away somewhere if you are sticking to organic principles.

[Batfink]

That's the last time I make a comment like that!!!

Whilst doing some late night watering I happened upon 4 catapilliars. Bugger.

[Shirley]

I'm guessing that they are now ex-caterpillars!!?

[Batfink]

Yes - well, I assume so (I never actually saw the moment of death). They were gently moved and put on to the bird table, so their death's aren't in vain, and the giant circle of life can continue

[ina]

I've seen quite a few white butterflies around... Can't really identify them on the wing, but chances are that most of them are the dreaded cabbage whites!

Yes, this year seems to be ideal conditions for bugs of every (unwanted) kind.

[Ranter]

I too have a concrete back yard & all my plants are in pots. I still have problems with slugs, snails & caterpillars - especially moth caterpillars that curl up in the tips of new growth & completely destroy it. Several snails took up residence with the courgette plant, but it is recovering well after their eviction. I do regular nightly slug & snail patrols & my boyfriend can't believe how brutal I get with these critters

[Andy Hamilton]

& my boyfriend can't believe how brutal I get with these critters

Same here, not your boyfriend though mine, er that is to say my girlfriend.