A few problems, beetroot & Cabbage caterpillar any ideas ?

[Chris Graham]

I have tried growing beetroot and it always seems to be getting attacked by something.  The leaves are blistered and growth is stunted.  What is this and can i treat it?

My cabbage plants are also looking worse for ware and are severly eaten by caterpillars.  I have tried spraying them with an insecticide but hasnt helped.  There are also small round egg type diposits within the leaves.  Is this crop ruined?  Since it grows from the inside now it may be ok.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, i'll try and get photos.

[Chris Graham]

[Moggle]

Hiya Chris, can't help with your beetroot prob, but the caterpillar sounds like cabbage whites (butterflies). When I had an allotment last year it was a big problem for me, and I ended up covering with fleece/mesh/net curtain all the time. Ended up building a semi-permanent cage of canes and net to keep the butterflies out - and stop them laying eggs on the leaves, then no caterpillars hatch to eat your lovely brassicas.

My ultimate plan was to get cages made out of wood with the mesh stapled to them, moveable so they moved with my crop rotation, but I didn't get around to it before having to give the lottie up.

[Chris Graham]

Thats an excellent idea!!!

[Grant]

Re. the cabbages, netting ok as long as there is room for growth.  Just a pain if you have to lift it if you have to weed the ground.  Nasturtiums attract the same butterfly and can act as a deterrent.
Not sure but can beetroot suffer same problems as cabbage family

[Chris Graham]

The Beetroot problem also happend to the Spinich.

[Grant]

Magnesium deficiency or Sun Burn.  Think Spinach can suffer with to much direct sun.

[davy1]

QUOTE [I have tried growing beetroot and it always seems to be getting attacked by something.  The leaves are blistered and growth is stunted.  What is this and can i treat it? ]

That sounds like Mangold Fly try spraying with Bug Clear if you dont think its to late.

Davy

[Chris Graham]

Bug clear ?

[davy1]

BugClear, It kills about everthing, you can spray and eat the same day.
I think i got my last one from Asda

[davy1]

I forgot to mention, if you have water on try pulling back the outer leaves of your cabbages and blast of any eggs or anything else that is there.