Matters Cauli and Cabbage

[Karen Atkinson]

I could have sworn I planted a row of caulis. All I can see are green leaves - quite sizeable leaves but no sign of cauli heads at all. Do they pop out last minute, like?

On a different note, I 'd been careful (ie. spent ages) in constructing a net frame over my brassicas to keep out pidgeons and white butterflies. Went to lottie yesterday, and there's two cabbage whites, romping away INSIDE the net! Let them out but have no idea how long this sexfest had been going on for. From romp to egg laying, any ideas? Will I have let them out in time to avoid big hungry caterpillars? (I have no idea of the timing of the cabbage white butterfly's lifecycle)

[Karen Atkinson]

[antipodes]

I have always found with caulis that they do tend to just pop out overnight!!! I had some lovely ones last year but my sowings failed this year.

Not sure about the butterflies...

[goodlife]

Yes...caulis tend to just all of sudden appear..and propably all in same time too At the moment I have 'summer', autumn and spring caulis all cropping in same time.. The cold nights we had earlier on the summer must have thrown them off from my plan having them in different times...why don't they understand what seed packets are saying?!

As for the 'lovely' white butterflies you are referring...nothing may come out of it...but if there should start some wholes appearing...blast/drumming of water from hose/can should make the caterpillars drop off and then they find hard time climbing back..some beetles or birds may find them first and make meal out of the drop offs

I don't net mine at all and although there may be odd one eating the leaves, I've never had damage in such a extent that it would have prevent me having good crops....I don't eat the outer leaves on caulis and cabbages and chickens don't mind sharing their greens, they might even get extra protein with it If you are growing some show specimens that is different thing and you need to start inspecting the leaves every few days or so.
You might find this interesting... http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=brassicae ...pst..take notice about the spots...

[claybasket]

I tried putting a double layer of netting over the cabbages and cawlis this seamed to baffle the cabbagewhites they gave up to find easier pickings, I do get a lot of slugs I hate using slug pellets but may have to next year.

[galina]

Look on the underside of the leaves.  The eggs (if there are any) are yellow clusters and very obvious.  If you spot any, just tear that part of the leaf off.  Easier and more pleasant than picking off caterpillars.

[ed dibbles]

Cauliflowers tend to have long leaves while cabbage leaves are rounder.