caterpillars on my nasturtiums

helluvatractor · « **on:** May 21, 2007, 20:35 »

i've got a bed of nasturtiums for culinary purposes but some have the dreaded cabbage white caterpllars munching on the leaves. being new to this game i'm not sure the best way to tackle them. i've picked off what i can but they keep coming back. whats the best way of wiping out the little critters?

richyrich7 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 21, 2007, 20:41 »

Apart from spraying with pesticide, you could try derris dust, soft soap I'm not sure if that will work our organic gardeners will know.... Que WG

or just keep rubbing them and the eggs off.

helluvatractor · « **Reply #2 on:** May 21, 2007, 20:55 »

is there a sort of all round insecticide that i could buy that would tackle these and any others nasties that may come across?

ziggywigs · « **Reply #3 on:** May 21, 2007, 20:56 »

Garlic spray should do the trick....i've made up more this weekend as been busy spraying all sorts...it don't half pong but then again that's what the aphids and cabbage whites don't like.

corndolly · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2007, 20:57 »

I'd be tempted to remove leaves !! that way eggs are removed and the plants will produce new growth and survive to flower , without the holey leaves.

WG. · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2007, 21:01 »

Quote from: "helluvatractor"

is there a sort of all round insecticide that i could buy that would tackle these and any others nasties that may come across?

I take it that you aren't looking for organic cures then?

For the record, I'd agree with both ziggy and corndolly (infested leaves anyway) above.

You say "culinary purposes" : Do you want the leaves, the flowers or both?

loubylou29 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2007, 07:41 »

Quote from: "ziggywigs"

Garlic spray should do the trick....i've made up more this weekend as been busy spraying all sorts...it don't half pong but then again that's what the aphids and cabbage whites don't like.

Sounds interseting, how do you make that then? just boil some garlic in water?
TIA!

Annie · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2007, 10:01 »

nastertions are a favourite of cabbage white and blackfly to the extent that I grow it as a kind of sacrificial crop,I had no blackfly on the broad beans last year the only guaranteed method would be netting if you want to eat them but that wouldn`t look so pretty.

WG. · « **Reply #8 on:** May 22, 2007, 10:05 »

Quote from: "loubylou29"

how do you make that then? just boil some garlic in water?
TIA!

Don't boil, no. Recipe for spray on here
http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?p=47828&highlight=garlic+spray#47828

Zak the Rabbit · « **Reply #9 on:** May 22, 2007, 10:58 »

all i will say is do it quick! I noticed some iddybiddy catipillies last year on me nast's and within two days all i had was stalks

yummy · « **Reply #10 on:** May 22, 2007, 18:43 »

I have some garlic spray sort of. I stuck some crushed cloves into a spray bottle of water. They have been in there weeks now and it really does stink. Will try that recipe next time - thanks

David. · « **Reply #11 on:** May 22, 2007, 21:19 »

I pick them off and rub the eggs, but if soft soap helps

Quote from: "richyrich7"

you could try derris dust, soft soap I'm not sure if that will work our organic gardeners will know

the method I use (for aphids) is:

Soap Solution - Add 2 oz (56 g) of soapflakes to a gallon (4.5 litres) of hot water.

If you want to be really frugal save your old bits of soap and soak them in water before diluting.

Nasturtiums for companion planting Started by shokkyy on Grow Your Own	3 Replies 1608 Views	August 14, 2011, 04:24 by Trillium
Caterpillars Started by Storeman on Grow Your Own	1 Replies 1178 Views	August 22, 2008, 15:07 by Trillium
Caterpillars Started by rainie on Grow Your Own	3 Replies 1183 Views	January 27, 2011, 16:53 by savbo
Caterpillars Started by Zinnia on Grow Your Own	7 Replies 2301 Views	August 27, 2012, 20:44 by angelavdavis

caterpillars on my nasturtiums

WG.

WG.

David.