Does anyone know a chemical free way of controlling cabbage root fly?
I couldn't find any brassica collars when I planted my caulis out (the staff at the local garden centre had never heard of them!!) and so used circles of card with a hole cut in the middle. This doesn't seem to have worked though. Every time I go back to my lottie another couple have drooped. Most of them have been beyond saving but today I tried pulling up the affected plant, picking off the larvae and squashing them (very satisfying!) and then replanting the cauli. I'm not sure if this will work and in any case I am sure it is not doing the plant much good to pull it up!
Is there anything I can water on the soil around the affected plants to kill the larvae? I was wondering if garlic tea would work? I've already lost about half of the row and am desperately trying to save the others.
Hello - I've got the same problem - and I was going to post the question today! Someone has told me you can dip the plants in Jeyes fluid (well diluted obviously) before planting but I'm not sure if the plants would be damaged by that. It's so disheartening - we put out cabbages & cauliflowers and nearly half have been affected. We've got loads more cabbage and sprouts to plant out yet but dreading seeing the root fly damage again. Fleece is a difficult option because its a windy site and everything is very spread out.
I was thinking about peppermint tea. Any ideas? Anyone?
BTW I'm new to this site - although been reading for a while and getting lots of useful info. Thank you all!!
???
I had the same problem last year.Disaster.
This year I made collars out of my wife's odd bits of carpet.They are approx. 4inch. dia. and split from the outside to the centre.When planting was completed ,I slid the collars around the stems.The cabbages certainly looked healthy. Lifted the first one yesterday and guess what ?cabbage rootfly larvae!!However,for whatever reason,the cabbages do not seem to be in any stress.