[dawnfuller]

Hi Ive planted out Brussels Brococli Cabbage + Cauliflowers.
I covered them in netting to keep off the cabbage whites .... no caterpillars.
But I have noticed small holes + brown bits in the small hearts of my Cauliflowers?
A neighbouring plot holder advised it was cabbage root fly - and I should have planted with collars?
Also advised to use Derris powder  and a diluted solution of Jeyes Fluid Huh?
And to bring in the leaves secure with a band to encouage growth?
Do I throw them away or keep them ?

What can I do?

[Paul Plots]

Definitely do not put Jeyes fluid near to anything you are growing to eat.    :blink:

(Keep it away from the soil too..)

At one time it was commonly splashed, sprayed and poured all over the place - in these days of enlightenment it is now banned for use in agriculture - Dangerous.. although, of course, some people will continue to ignore scientific advice.

Please don't.

A quick internet search (or two) might help... Cabbage root fly

There's also lots of information on this site. 

[Salmo]

Sounds like you have a neighbour whos advice you should treat with caution. Both derris and jeyes fluid are no longer allowed to be used on vegetables.

Cabbage root fly maggots burrow into the soil and eat the roots. The first signs are usually plants wilting in the sun. Certainly not what you describe.

Your damage may be cabbage flea beatle. If you creep up on the plants when the sun is out you should be able to see the tiny black beatles jump off. They will keep nibbling at the centre leave which will be full of holes as the leaves expand. The plants usually grow away but in hot dry conditions they can be quite damaging.

Do not spray in bright sunlight. A vigorous spray with plain water repeated a few times may be sufficient. A little washing up liquid added will help. Otherwise spray with Bug Clear or other contact insecticide. Up to 8 leaves you can spray with a stystemic insecticide such as Provado Ultimate Bug Killer - it says so on the bottle.

Another pest of brassicas which attacks the middles is grey aphids. Treatment much the same.

It could be something else. Try and find bugs chewing the leaves.

[Paul Plots]

I agree with  you Salmo - description doesn't sound like cabbage root fly...

Flea beetle = the holes... Yep - I just ignore it unless the plants are very small at the time.

But... middle might be due to watering into the centre of the plant - It would be rotten luck to get grey aphids as well - I've not had them on brassicas so unsure.
Shame about the Derris powder - was commonly used long ago and worked well but X to that one. I don't think it's been on sale for a while has it?

[fatcat1955]

Derris is also now banned.

[Paul Plots]

Derris is also now banned.

Salmo said, "Both derris and jeyes fluid are no longer allowed to be used on vegetables." 

[DavidT]

Derris was banned about 8 years ago Learner.

[Comfortably Numb]

Derris was banned about 8 years ago Learner.

Derris was withdrawn in October 2008 

[mumofstig]

Calm down you lot  ....I think we are all agreed that YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE DERRIS..or Jeyes!

Is that clear..everybody 

Now is tying leaves over the heads a good idea? from the opening questIon ...........

[DD.]

Just snap one in half over it.

Leaf that is, not rubber band.

[Paul Plots]

Calm down you lot  ....I think we are all agreed that YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE DERRIS..or Jeyes!

Is that clear..everybody 

Der..........is this the end of talking about it then?  :blink:   

[DD.]

YES!!

[Paul Plots]

YES!!

I take it that's a "yes" then 

[Paul Plots]

Dawnfuller.....says:
"And to bring in the leaves secure with a band to encouage growth?"

Might this be just for the cauliflowers?

[mumofstig]

Dawnfuller.....says:
"And to bring in the leaves secure with a band to encouage growth?"

Might this be just for the cauliflowers?

Yes ...big sigh  :blink: