Allotments 4 All

Had some seedlings given to me in the autumn, managed to overwinter them but had to put on bottle cloches to protect them from slugging. Took them off today and three or four of my brassica babies were stunted and covered in small grey mites. Any ideas?

They could be Springtails but they dont damage the plants they live of the organic matter and are usualy found at the base of the plant in the soil

Nope, don't think so - these were rounder and silver grey.  ???

Think it's mealy cabbage aphid. Any ideas?

You could try rhubarb leaf spray? Its a natural pesticide, there is a thread somewhere (quite recent) on just that.

Squash em - tis disgusting but they are quite resistant to most organic sprays due to their waxy coating.  Fatty Acid spray does have an effect and that is allowed organically.

Dab them with meth on a little paintbrush if it's only a tray. It doesn't take a minute.

So far so good - I've removed the affected plants and left the bottle cloches off the rest and none seem to be affected, so it could be that they prefer a warmer, more moist environment than they'll get unprotected. Good idea about the rhubarb spray though, will keep that in mind.

NO need to remove anything?

Agree with Clanger - if they are just seedlins, SQUASH!

And even when they are larger. Very Organic!!

I did consider that Tim, but the affected plants were stunted compared to the others and in any case the aphids gave me the creeps [shudder].  :-\ Never mind, done now, and will know better next year.