[roiphil]

Hi
Can any one advise what my problem is, i have sown into plug trays, brassicas cabbage, brussels and cauliflower, they germinate ok, get to a certain height 2 cms approx. but before they get their second lot of leaves, the 2 leaves they have start to go yellow which leads to the plant wilting/shrivelling and dieing, they are in a greenhouse, plenty of ventilation

any advise much appreciateda long time lurker and not much of a poster thanks, Phil

[HugglescoteGrower]

remove wilting plugs from the soil and look at the base of the stem and the roots for small maggots, larvae of the dreaded Cabbage Root Fly


Never heard of them attacking plugs so early but the symptoms are spot on for root fly.

[HugglescoteGrower]

where are you keeping them, they don't need to much in the way of warmth, just keep them frost free at nights.

Brassicas don't like being treated too kindly

[paintedlady]

It also sounds like a classic case of overwatering - even though you say the greenhouse is well ventilated.  I agree with HG re: mollycoddling brassicas - maybe a bit of initial warmth to get them germinating, then harden them asap 

[diggerjoe]

I have had the same with graffitti cauli started well then scraggy looking things second leaves tiny and withered seed leaves - other cabbage etc doing well all treated the same in same unheated greenhouse - I repotted them at the weekend in the hope it would give them the kiss of life - they have a week to pull their socks up or they go 

[roiphil]

Thanks for all your answers, no sign of any litle maggots, so i think it could be a case of over watering and to much heat, so i will put them outside in the daytime and keep a carefull check on the watering and not treat them so carefully
Many Thanks
Phil