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Green Caterpillars
+21
trolleydriver
YorkR88
cpl100
rabbithutch
jimmy cee
AtlantaMarie
CapeCoddess
Windmere
Marc Iverson
kauairosina
at2wooden
walshevak
boffer
Lemonie
drixnot
gregrenee88
Lindacol
camprn
Pepper
Kelejan
sanderson
25 posters
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Green Caterpillars
This morning I found these green caterpillars eating my broccoli and Brussel sprouts seedlings. Does anyone know what kind they are and how to get rid of them? Will they move on to any other kinds of plants? Netting for sure next spring. I did see a whitish butterfly flit around my garden not too long ago. Thank you!
Re: Green Caterpillars
I would say that they produce the white cabbage butterfly that willl repruduce the green caterpillers that produce. . . . .
Pick them off if you see them, then squish. I'm sure someone will come up with an organic home spray.
I am going to cover my crops with something. Must look it up.
Pick them off if you see them, then squish. I'm sure someone will come up with an organic home spray.
I am going to cover my crops with something. Must look it up.
Re: Green Caterpillars
The organic spray it BT Thuricide. Dispel.
Pepper- Posts : 564
Join date : 2012-03-04
Location : Columbus, Ga
Re: Green Caterpillars
I echo the previous recommendations. Pick'em and squish 'em. Look for REALLY tiny ones and get them too, then cover your plants with tulle, or another barrier netting to keep the adult female moth from laying more eggs on the brassica plants. Also, there are quite a few back threads about cabbage worms.
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Green Caterpillars
Thank all of you. I googled and yes they are white cabbage butterfly larva and the butterfly photos are exactly what I saw flitting around last month. I picked a couple dozen for dispatching. Plus I am pulling out the badly damaged seedlings and young plants for this season. I will try BT on the 2 best surviving plants.
This is my first year gardening (SFG with a side order of container and vertical gardening). I started and planted over 200 seedlings in different boxes, exposed to different sun / shade exposures, to see what grows best and where. [Or if I could even sfg garden at all!!] This fall and next spring, I will plant all of the cabbage family / kale in one bed and build a tall frame for netting. I bought lots of netting to experiment with so I will put some netting over the 2 surviving squares. Maybe buy a butterfly net?
This is my first year gardening (SFG with a side order of container and vertical gardening). I started and planted over 200 seedlings in different boxes, exposed to different sun / shade exposures, to see what grows best and where. [Or if I could even sfg garden at all!!] This fall and next spring, I will plant all of the cabbage family / kale in one bed and build a tall frame for netting. I bought lots of netting to experiment with so I will put some netting over the 2 surviving squares. Maybe buy a butterfly net?
Re: Green Caterpillars
Those seedlings that were munched on will bounce back given a little bit of time! And, you can cover individual plant by draping the tulle and sort of tucking it in or using clothespins to hold the bottom together.
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Green Caterpillars
Pepper wrote:The organic spray it BT Thuricide. Dispel.
I'm sure I bought it at HD a year or so ago but the people there now have no idea what it is.
I found Garden Safe brand at Lowes:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_368920-316-HG-93190_4294730885__?productId=3499852&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1
Lindacol- Posts : 777
Join date : 2011-01-23
Location : Bloomington, CA
Re: Green Caterpillars
That organization need a cheat sheet in their garden department if they persist in hiring people with limited knowledge. It's really baffling, the lack of training in some of these places. They really should put more effort into helping their associates understand the store's products.Lindacol wrote:Pepper wrote:The organic spray it BT Thuricide. Dispel.
I'm sure I bought it at HD a year or so ago but the people there now have no idea what it is.
I found Garden Safe brand at Lowes:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_368920-316-HG-93190_4294730885__?productId=3499852&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Green Caterpillars
Do they like turnips too??
Renee
Renee
gregrenee88- Posts : 280
Join date : 2012-04-23
Age : 57
Location : Hanover, Pa.
Re: Green Caterpillars
Yes.gregrenee88 wrote:Do they like turnips too??
Renee
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Green Caterpillars
camprn wrote:That organization need a cheat sheet in their garden department if they persist in hiring people with limited knowledge. It's really baffling, the lack of training in some of these places. They really should put more effort into helping their associates understand the store's products.
ROFL. But don't you enjoy the vacant look on their faces when you ask for something?
Me: "Do you carry vermiculite?"
HD garden department person: "Vermicu-wha-sis ... is that a flower?"
....I kid you not.
drixnot- Posts : 41
Join date : 2013-04-17
Location : northern ohio
Re: Green Caterpillars
A teachable moment if there ever was one.drixnot wrote:camprn wrote:That organization need a cheat sheet in their garden department if they persist in hiring people with limited knowledge. It's really baffling, the lack of training in some of these places. They really should put more effort into helping their associates understand the store's products.
ROFL. But don't you enjoy the vacant look on their faces when you ask for something?
Me: "Do you carry vermiculite?"
HD garden department person: "Vermicu-wha-sis ... is that a flower?"
....I kid you not.
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Green Caterpillars
here are some of the more common brassica plants; those the moth/cabbage worm attacks; the list is near the bottom: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruciferous_vegetables
BT comes in several formulas the Thuricide is the one I use. It does not kill on contact! It stops the caterpillars from eating; like lock jaw; by shutting down their digestive system. Although labeled an "organic" some reports of ecological damage with it's use are out there.
BT comes in several formulas the Thuricide is the one I use. It does not kill on contact! It stops the caterpillars from eating; like lock jaw; by shutting down their digestive system. Although labeled an "organic" some reports of ecological damage with it's use are out there.
Pepper- Posts : 564
Join date : 2012-03-04
Location : Columbus, Ga
Re: Green Caterpillars
Regarding the cabbage worm, thank you for the link to the list of crucifers. Everything that we love to eat!! Looks like I will have to spray half my garden!
Re: Green Caterpillars
The term 'Organic' is not synonymous with safe or non toxic. Bt is an insecticide; that is it's purpose , it kills things.Pepper wrote:here are some of the more common brassica plants; those the moth/cabbage worm attacks; the list is near the bottom: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruciferous_vegetables
BT comes in several formulas the Thuricide is the one I use. It does not kill on contact! It stops the caterpillars from eating; like lock jaw; by shutting down their digestive system. Although labeled an "organic" some reports of ecological damage with it's use are out there.
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Green Caterpillars
A couple of other great organic caterpillar killers: Diatomaceous Earth or a mix of flour and red pepper sprinkled on and around the plant and base. The DE will cut, dehydrate and kill them. The flour/red pepper will stop them from feeding fairly quickly and then they die because they can't digest it. These can only be used in dry conditions and may need to be reapplied 2-3x depending on infestation and life cycle. You can use an recycled shaker container or a paper bag w/ a few small holes in the bottom to distribute your mix.
I've also heard of success w/ spraying a diluted ammonia mixture, but cannot confirm mix percentage or effectiveness. Also, I imagine it would be best to wait 3 days before harvesting to allow time for ammonia to break down?
If you are still fortunate enough to harvest during an infestation, I have heard that soaking your veggies in salt water gets rid of any live bugs, but have had better luck w/ soaking in diluted vinegar (1/4C to full sink) for at least 20min. The vinegar soak is a regular practice in our house as it disinfects, kills bugs and acts as a preservative (especially nice on making fruit last longer!).
I've also heard of success w/ spraying a diluted ammonia mixture, but cannot confirm mix percentage or effectiveness. Also, I imagine it would be best to wait 3 days before harvesting to allow time for ammonia to break down?
If you are still fortunate enough to harvest during an infestation, I have heard that soaking your veggies in salt water gets rid of any live bugs, but have had better luck w/ soaking in diluted vinegar (1/4C to full sink) for at least 20min. The vinegar soak is a regular practice in our house as it disinfects, kills bugs and acts as a preservative (especially nice on making fruit last longer!).
Lemonie- Posts : 192
Join date : 2010-10-24
Age : 41
Location : Georgetown, KY Zone 6a
Re: Green Caterpillars
sanderson wrote:Of course! BT Thuricide is not available in CA! Maybe BT in another form.
I bought the thuricide at a CA HD probably a year or so ago.
Now my local Lowes had the Garden Safe brand I mentioned above.
Lindacol- Posts : 777
Join date : 2011-01-23
Location : Bloomington, CA
She's back!
Saw the first white butterfly an hour ago. I've been running around the garden like a bride, tulle here, tulle there!
Re: Green Caterpillars
Let's see, I'm old, the butterfly is new. Just need something blue. . .
Opps, my photo isn't posting today.
Opps, my photo isn't posting today.
Re: Green Caterpillars
sanderson wrote:Saw the first white butterfly an hour ago. I've been running around the garden like a bride, tulle here, tulle there!
Funny you should say that. Every spring I talk about going out to dress the brides.
Kay
A WEED IS A FLOWER GROWING IN THE WRONG PLACE
Elizabeth City, NC
Click for weather forecast
walshevak
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 4374
Join date : 2010-10-17
Age : 81
Location : wilmington, nc zone 8
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