Last year my spring cabbage seedlings were all eaten by flea beetle, so i bought two hundred plants off a local nursery, something i have never done before.
Well i have just got back from my allotment after digging them all in, as they have all gone to seed.
I have never had this happen before, maybe an odd one but never all of them. I'm not sure why, it could be they have got to dry but who knows.
When i was digging them in i had to smile to my self, i thought if all you beginners could see me now, they would never listen to any of my advice again.
It just goes to show an old hand still has the odd gardening disaster.
So if you get the odd thing go wrong don't worry to much.
I have just thought, i bet the nursery sold me the wrong type of cabbage plants, well thats my excuse and i'm sticking to it.
I don't now why i have told you lot this, as i bet it won't be the last time i will hear about it.
Kind regards an honest Old Herbaceous.
Theres no fool like an old fool.
A tale for the beginners
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oldherbaceous
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Compo
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I think a lot of people have had a bad witner and spring with brassicas, probably the cold dry winds and lack of humidity, they are a feted family though what with all the pests that devour them, they like hard ground, soil not too weak and not too strong. They really are fussy b....rs
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If I am not on the plot, I am not happy.........
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Geoff
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I hope it wasn't club root that made them go to seed. I have infected two gardens by being pressed for time when I first moved in - one by buying plants and one by accepting gifted plants - never again, own seed raised plants only.
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Jenny Green
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I stick to the home-grown seed raised plants rule too, for almost everything. My greenhouse has never had whitefly and I think this may be one of the reasons.
My spring cabbages haven't done anything much at all. Most have been eaten by pidgeons who seem to be able to negotiate everything apart from solid metal, or the dreaded slugs have had 'em. Have had to resort to a few pellets round them, or I would have planted them only for sustaining a very healthy and seemingly never ending family of slugs.
They have made a bit of a recovery but are still looking fairly pathetic.
However, my purple sprouting brocolli is FABBO! Am truly bursting with pride and whole family groans when I come home with yet another bag full of the stuff. Delicious, I think.
They have made a bit of a recovery but are still looking fairly pathetic.
However, my purple sprouting brocolli is FABBO! Am truly bursting with pride and whole family groans when I come home with yet another bag full of the stuff. Delicious, I think.
Hi Mezmazroz,
They say there are two things that will cause erstwhile friends to turn their heads away from you in the street. Purple Sprouting Broccoli and Courgettes. When this happens you realise that you have overdone your generousity!!
Hi Jenny,
I would like to see a scientific report backing your theory up as I'm sure it would make very good, if not hilarious, reading!!
They say there are two things that will cause erstwhile friends to turn their heads away from you in the street. Purple Sprouting Broccoli and Courgettes. When this happens you realise that you have overdone your generousity!!
Hi Jenny,
I would like to see a scientific report backing your theory up as I'm sure it would make very good, if not hilarious, reading!!
JB.
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Clive.
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Hello,
Purple Broc' has done very well here and at work too...was it Garnet??..I can't remember.
Mystique the Cauliflower has done massively well too...freezer bulging with Cauli...
Spring cabbage at home on lighter sandy soil is fine but at work on heavier ground has run up....
Now here my father uses a feed of Nitrate of Soda "for hearts".. but only has a small stock of said elixir left...where can he get a re-stock.??
While at work I used Sulphate of Ammonia...Dad is quoting to me that that is "for leaves"..and not hearts..????
All the best,
Clive.
Purple Broc' has done very well here and at work too...was it Garnet??..I can't remember.
Mystique the Cauliflower has done massively well too...freezer bulging with Cauli...
Spring cabbage at home on lighter sandy soil is fine but at work on heavier ground has run up....
Now here my father uses a feed of Nitrate of Soda "for hearts".. but only has a small stock of said elixir left...where can he get a re-stock.??
While at work I used Sulphate of Ammonia...Dad is quoting to me that that is "for leaves"..and not hearts..????
All the best,
Clive.
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oldherbaceous
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Thats what i like Allan, no messing and straight to the three points.
Who said you can't teach an old dog three new tricks.
Kind regards the ever learning Old Herbaceous.
Theres no fool like an old fool.
Who said you can't teach an old dog three new tricks.
Kind regards the ever learning Old Herbaceous.
Theres no fool like an old fool.
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Jenny Green
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Johnboy wrote:Hi Jenny,
I would like to see a scientific report backing your theory up as I'm sure it would make very good, if not hilarious, reading!!
Hi Johnboy,
What do you mean? My theory that not buying in plants may be the cause of my greenhouse never having had whitefly? Do you think it's impossible to introduce this pest on plants?
Why do you think I've never had whitefly?
Jenny
Hi Jenny,
With White Fly you are dealing with a winged insect and the fact that you produce your own plants has absolutely nothing to do with you never having had White Fly. I am exceedingly happy for you and long may your status remain but really your suggestion takes more than a pinch of salt to assist digestion.
Of course you can import plants infected with scales and no sign of the actual flies. You, gardenening the method you use, are actually more prone to White Fly than people using other methods so I think that it is a case of you being exceedingly lucky and can see no other reason.
With White Fly you are dealing with a winged insect and the fact that you produce your own plants has absolutely nothing to do with you never having had White Fly. I am exceedingly happy for you and long may your status remain but really your suggestion takes more than a pinch of salt to assist digestion.
Of course you can import plants infected with scales and no sign of the actual flies. You, gardenening the method you use, are actually more prone to White Fly than people using other methods so I think that it is a case of you being exceedingly lucky and can see no other reason.
JB.
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Jenny Green
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Sorry Johnboy but I find your assertion that because whitefly are a winged insect it's impossible to import them on bought plants 'hilarious'. Are you unfamiliar with the fact that flies lay eggs and have other growth stages than their winged form? Also, given that greenhouse whitefly cannot survive freezing temperatures, it's unlikely that they could fly in from outside unless there was somewhere for them to overwinter (i.e. someone else's greenhouse). If you doubt my information please read the extract below:
"The greenhouse whitefly is a tropical/subtropical species that cannot overwinter outdoors in Colorado. Freezing temperatures kill it and the lack of host plants prevents its survival except under highly protected conditions. Although whiteflies produce several generations on a variety of Garden plants during the summer (notably tomato, pepper, and cucumber), year-round infestations are possible only indoors.
The familiar form is the white, winged adult. Because of the insect's mobility, most infestations come from adult females moving to new plants. When they find a suitable plant, they insert their mouthparts into the phloem. They usually remain in place for several hours as they lay a series of eggs in a semicircular pattern on the plant surface. The creamy yellow eggs darken after 24 hours. Most eggs are laid on the newest leaves.
Nymphs emerge within five to seven days. They move a short distance before flattening themselves against the leaf to feed. All remaining immature stages of the greenhouse whitefly are immobile.
There are three nymphal stages that feed on the plant, spaced at two- to four-day intervals. A nonfeeding "pupal" stage follows, lasting almost a week. All the immature stages are inconspicuous and easily overlooked. They are usually pale, almost translucent, and are superficially similar to certain scale insects. Late-stage nymphs and pupae may also have thin waxy threads that can resemble those produced by mealybugs.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/insect/05587.html
"The greenhouse whitefly is a tropical/subtropical species that cannot overwinter outdoors in Colorado. Freezing temperatures kill it and the lack of host plants prevents its survival except under highly protected conditions. Although whiteflies produce several generations on a variety of Garden plants during the summer (notably tomato, pepper, and cucumber), year-round infestations are possible only indoors.
The familiar form is the white, winged adult. Because of the insect's mobility, most infestations come from adult females moving to new plants. When they find a suitable plant, they insert their mouthparts into the phloem. They usually remain in place for several hours as they lay a series of eggs in a semicircular pattern on the plant surface. The creamy yellow eggs darken after 24 hours. Most eggs are laid on the newest leaves.
Nymphs emerge within five to seven days. They move a short distance before flattening themselves against the leaf to feed. All remaining immature stages of the greenhouse whitefly are immobile.
There are three nymphal stages that feed on the plant, spaced at two- to four-day intervals. A nonfeeding "pupal" stage follows, lasting almost a week. All the immature stages are inconspicuous and easily overlooked. They are usually pale, almost translucent, and are superficially similar to certain scale insects. Late-stage nymphs and pupae may also have thin waxy threads that can resemble those produced by mealybugs.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/insect/05587.html