Brassicas - netting & collars....am I too late?

vineweevil1 · « **on:** May 31, 2008, 13:27 »

Hubby planted some broccoli and sprout plants a couple of weeks ago. We didn't think to put collars around them - will I be too late, are they likely to get the root fly thingy.....? :oops:

Also I don't know what sprouts they are as I was given them - how high should I put my netting up?

Finally, any tips on cheap collars for my cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli (do sprouts need this too?) I have only planted the C&C today so can collar them tomorrow.......

any adivce greatly appreciated!

gobs · « **Reply #1 on:** May 31, 2008, 18:31 »

Old carpet is good for that, most sprouts grow rather tall, 3-4 feet, net them, the sooner the better.

peggyprice · « **Reply #2 on:** May 31, 2008, 20:06 »

Quote from: "gobs"

Old carpet is good for that, most sprouts grow rather tall, 3-4 feet, net them, the sooner the better.

Is the netting against insects or against birds?

And how big do the collars need to be (I planted my brassicas last week as plug plants, I forgot all about the collars as well :oops: )?

crowndale · « **Reply #3 on:** May 31, 2008, 20:55 »

netting is against both. But personally the butterflys are the worst, you need very fine netting or better still enviromesh to keep thos little loves away. Lost an entire crop one year to caterpillars, had around 100 or more per leaf having gone away for a holiday without netting them. such is life.

gobs · « **Reply #4 on:** May 31, 2008, 21:08 »

Yes, the finer mesh you get the more nasties you keep away, 10-13mm is usually enough to keep butterfly and birds out - well secured, that is.

Collars about 6 inch diameter should do, all brassica can be affected but most likely cabbage.

peggyprice · « **Reply #5 on:** May 31, 2008, 23:57 »

Thanks for the advice - appreciated

compostqueen · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2008, 00:02 »

I saw a caterpillar today on the brassicas, went to puff some Derris dust on and none left :evil:

I made brassica collars 6" square cut from a roll of plastic damp proof membrane I found in the shed and I put them round the sprout plants yesterday.

peggyprice · « **Reply #7 on:** June 01, 2008, 00:05 »

I was wondering about using weed suppressing membrane, I've got some pieces left from making the paths in my new vegetable patch (yippee

) last week.

muntjac · « **Reply #8 on:** June 01, 2008, 13:58 »

use vasdaline for the stems ..... cheaper .nets for butterflies

Wombat · « **Reply #9 on:** June 01, 2008, 21:36 »

I was thing of using offcuts of weed-suppressing membrane as well. The idea seems to be that the flies lay their eggs on the collar, rather than on or in the soil, and they shrivel up and die before the maggots hatch. Would weed-suppressing membrane be thick enough?

Teen76 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 01, 2008, 21:59 »

Wow I hadn't even thought about collars. I did the netting and the slug pellets, the collars didn't even enter my mind. How much armour to do you need for these brassicas? Everything is out to get them!

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