Kohl rabi killer! Update... more deaths!

Salkeela · « **on:** May 29, 2007, 12:00 »

My kohl rabi were doing just great until....

..... they all died.

Pulling them up revealed tiny white maggots eating the roots. A second area was found to be infected today (about a week after the first).

I've pulled them all up now & we're eating the leaves as cabbage and the small kolh rabis as mini-veg.. :? :?

Are these likely to infect brassicas next?
So far the brussel sprouts right beside the infected KR are okay (I pulled one up to check).

ARGHHH!

WG. · « **Reply #1 on:** May 29, 2007, 12:13 »

Cabbage Root Fly methinks

Aidy · « **Reply #2 on:** May 29, 2007, 12:28 »

Yep get the collars on before the lot goes.

Salkeela · « **Reply #3 on:** May 29, 2007, 14:14 »

Thanks folks!

Lucky I've a day off today then!

Salkeela · « **Reply #4 on:** May 29, 2007, 16:50 »

Quote from: "Aidy"

Yep get the collars on before the lot goes.

Too late!

The "one" B.sprout I checked must have been the only one without!

All my giant white turnips are infested too!

I intend to plant out leek seedlings in the vacant area... PLEASE tell me leeks are unaffected by cabbage root fly?

Brassicas..... no more.

WG. · « **Reply #5 on:** May 29, 2007, 16:54 »

I was afraid of that SK but didn't want to see you idle on your day off!

Cabbage Root Fly maggots won't trouble your leeks though - they'll all have been eaten by the leek moth larvae during their non-vegetarian phase. (only joking!)

Salkeela · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2007, 17:07 »

Leeks it is then...

...and there I was wondering where I would find space for that tray of leek seedlings almost pencil thick and ready for out. I have about 80 in already - a few more will not go amiss!

Roll on the winter of the LEEK!

WG. · « **Reply #7 on:** May 29, 2007, 17:13 »

A word of explanation for anyone who doesn't know what is going on ...

The damage was done some time ago when the Cabbage Root Fly laid its eggs at the base of Sally's brassica plants.

The eggs have now hatched and the 1/4" long white maggots are feasting on the tender roots. The Kohl Rabi died first since presumably it had smaller roots than the others.

There is no organic cure although root collars are an organic preventative (the eggs wither and die rather than hatch). There may be an inorganic cure but someone else will need to post that.

You MIGHT be able to save some plants by transplanting. Rinse the roots in water to remove all soil / maggots and transplant (with a root collar) in fresh ground.

Salkeela · « **Reply #8 on:** May 29, 2007, 17:30 »

Quote from: "whisky_golf"

You MIGHT be able to save some plants by transplanting. Rinse the roots in water to remove all soil / maggots and transplant (with a root collar) in fresh ground.

Nope! I've just gone off the notion of brussel sprouts with my Christmas dinner. Leeks, onion and garlic will be much nicer!

WG. · « **Reply #9 on:** May 29, 2007, 17:40 »

Quote from: "Salkeela"

Nope!

Comment was addressed to anyone else facing a similar problem

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Kohl rabi killer! Update... more deaths!

WG.

WG.

WG.

WG.