Cabbage root fly

tomzzz · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 13 Feb 2010 Posts: 10

Cabbage root fly has killed all my sprouts and cauli, is it too late to sow more? What's the best way to prevent this happening again?

Thanks,
Tom

cooler · Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 1:09 pm Post subject:

Not too late for caulis from seed. But I reckon you will have to source the sprouts as young plants in a garden centre. Discs cut from old roofing felt and placed at the base of the plants helps prevent cabbage root fly attack.

James Kilkelly · Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 1:12 pm Post subject:

Sow the seed thinly along the drill ensuring you have at least a seed ever 2 or 3 inches. This reduces the amount of thinning required and consequently reduces the risk of attack by cabbage root fly.

tomzzz · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 13 Feb 2010 Posts: 10

Thanks for your replies, will get some more cauli in today and keep fingers crossed. Warm weather seems to have increased bugs on allotment, flea beetles making sieves of my turnips too, they'll be fine though Confused

mcgrueser · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 9:36 am Post subject:

For brassicas it's best to sow them in modules or cells inside first and then plant out. You can look after them at their very tender stage inside and then give them the correct spacing when planting out. Plant some celery, mint and/or oregano close by to scare off the white cabbage butterfly too...