Kitchen Garden Forum

Er, I haven't had clubroot or even heard of it before today, and then suddenly it's come up in conversation a few times in the space of a week. What the heck is it, and (as it sounds like a BAD thing) how do I avoid it?

(Showing my ignorance again, I know, but I'm a better computer geek than I am gardener... )

Club root is caused by the fungus Plasmodiophora brassicae, it effects most of the Cruciferae famillyincluding brassica, wallflower, and stocks.

The fungus effects the root system so they do not develop correctly and apprear swollen and stunted. The plants, if badly effected, can keel over and die. On lighter infestations the yield can be dramatically reduced.

Once in the soil it can persevere for up to a dozen years even with out any host plants to survive one. There are a number of hosts plants such as shepherds purse.

The most common cause of it arriving is bought in bare rooted plants from a diseased source. I do not believe there is any cure available to the home grower.

Simply walking on infected ground and then moving to clean ground can spread it as can using tools on infected ground.

If you have it then you can mange it to a degree. Liming the brassica bed helps and I add lime to the planting hole of each plant as I transplant them. I grow my plants on in pots until they are quite large, usually using 2 litre pots to grow them. At planting out I will use compost to back fill the hole so I have a decent sized root ball in clean uninfected plants.

I also add a section of rhubarb stem to each hole as it is meant to help, not so sure if it does though. There are also some club root control chemicals you dip the roots in at planting if you so wish.

There are also some club root tolerate varieties being developed. I tried a calabrese called Trixie last year and it was very good, did not see it in the lists this year but have plenty of see for a few years. There is also a cabbage, Kilaxy, that I am trying this year and so far it seems fine.

So, it is not a nice problem to have but I can get a decent crop of most brassicas with a bit of effort.

HTH

Jerry

Jerry has given a very comprehensive response.

I suffer from it, and use lots and lots of lime. I grow my plants on in modules to give a good start, and have found that F1 hybrids seem to have more resistance.

Thanks Jerry, for the comprehensive reply!

I'm intrigued by putting a bit of Rhubarb stem in... how is that supposed to help?

I do it as I have heard of many people who do so a swear by it. I cant see it doing any harm but do wonder if it may combat the high pH value the lime gives as it is full of oxalic acid.........

I have also heard people add bay leaves to the planting hole but have not tried it. My do so with the next lot I plant out in a week or two.

Tonights job funny enough is potting on a selection of sprouts, cauli, kale, cabbage from root trainers into 2litre pots to grow on a bit more.

Jerry