Last year i had some bother with my pea's, about the half of them had small green caterpillers in them + dropings(quite disgusting). The year before didn't even have any. What can i do to stop these little terrorists?
pea moth ?, we've had them as well, in the past, I've read somewhere, grow early or late, to avoid them, anyone else?
That's the best bet Manics but you can net them with a very fine insect mesh as they pollinate really easily.. nets need to be up before the first flowers... I just live with it...
:-\
Spray them with bug clear when they are in flower this stops the little beggars
Yes but some of us are "Organic" and don't do that... but if it works for you carry on!
:-\
Yes but some of us are "Organic" and don't do that...
iF YOU LIKE EATING MAGGOTS CARRY ON ;D
how about derris ?
Tuinman, some help (from my HDRA* veg-growing bible), along the same lines as manicscousers and saddad... the note about winter digging could be timely, though. :)
"Pea moth lays its eggs when peas are in flower, so early and late sowings that flower outside the moth's flight period, from early to late summer, will escape damage.
Cover peas in flower during the flight period, especially in early July, with fine mesh.
Dig over plots where infested plants have grown thoroughly in winter. Pesticide spray: derris, as a last resort."
*the old name for Garden Organic, charity & research association
I grew my Alderman peas very late last year and they were clear.
I don't get hung up about the little grubs. I discard those with obvious damage, but I know some slip the net, especially when the children are doing the peas for me. I am going to treat myself to some enviromesh for my Easter pressie this year and use this as a drape over the peas just as the buds start to form.
thanks everyone for the advice. i think i'll be trying that thin fleece and rap it round them all. better safe than sorry, right?