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cabbage pest??
+10
HillbillyBob
quiltbea
B00kemdano
Nonna.PapaVino
camprn
obrdrln
claudiamedic
Pepper
llama momma
elysia
14 posters
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cabbage pest??
Something has eaten the interior of one of my cabbage plants. I have had trouble with the little green worms but have tried to be vigilant about checking for them daily and the damage seems to have subsided with the other plants. Besides, I think this looks different. Thoughts/suggestions?

This picture shows the problem plant adjacent to one of the healthy (for the moment) plants.


This picture shows the problem plant adjacent to one of the healthy (for the moment) plants.

elysia-
Posts : 76
Join date : 2012-03-23
Location : SW South Dakota
Re: cabbage pest??
If it is cabbage worms my experience was that they will not give up and the damages will continue. The following year I learned about using tulle or bridal veil to cover the plants and sprayed with Bt. It worked beautifully, and will use both a cover and Bt from now on.
llama momma
Certified SFG Instructor-
Posts : 4921
Join date : 2010-08-20
Location : Central Ohio zone 6a
Re: cabbage pest??
Thanks llama momma - I have been considering covering them but thought I was winning the battle and it is so satisfying to squish the little buggers. Not worth losing my plants though, no question. I guess a trip to the fab store is in order after all. So my understanding is that the material prevents the eggs from being laid - is that accurate?
elysia-
Posts : 76
Join date : 2012-03-23
Location : SW South Dakota
Re: cabbage pest??
Yes indeed the material does not allow the moths to lay eggs. And Bt spray will take care of the existing green caterpillers. You could just pick those off I suppose after covering w/tulle. Think I sprayed Bt once or twice the whole growing time for extra security. After you harvest you can soak the heads in salt water. It makes the caterpillers die and rise to the top of the water - but you'll be happy when none show up. My first year I didn't know about protecting the plants but heard about the salt water bath. Hundreds floated to the top, it was gross.
llama momma
Certified SFG Instructor-
Posts : 4921
Join date : 2010-08-20
Location : Central Ohio zone 6a
Re: cabbage pest??
Thanks for the salt-water tip too. Hundreds you say? ugh.
elysia-
Posts : 76
Join date : 2012-03-23
Location : SW South Dakota
Re: cabbage pest??
Yes, it was my first box and first attempt at broccoli in a 4 by 8 box and there were about 25 heads of broccs, beautiful but buggy no matter how many daily pickings of bugs. Won't make that mistake twice. Tulle and Bt rule! I know you are growing cabbage but those worms attack both kinds of plants since they belong to the same family.
llama momma
Certified SFG Instructor-
Posts : 4921
Join date : 2010-08-20
Location : Central Ohio zone 6a
Re: cabbage pest??
Yall have reminded me it is time to spray BT. Best stuff going for cabbage worm, really any catapillar type worms.
Time to stop typing and start DOING

Time to stop typing and start DOING

Pepper-
Posts : 564
Join date : 2012-03-04
Location : Columbus, Ga
Re: cabbage pest??
Neem oil spray (oil mixed with water) has done the trick for me thus far. It makes your garden have a lovely garlic scent too (LOL).
Re: cabbage pest??
Thanks folks!
Yes my broccoli has been under fire too. Not really expecting much from them since we went from chilly spring strait into 90 degrees!
I also found this dude last night in a cocoon on my *gasp* healthiest (for the moment) cabbage plant...I am certain it would have had quite the feast...at first I hoped it was a spider egg sac or spider snack being saved for later but that hope quickly faded...

@ claudiamedic - how often do you use neem oil spray?

I also found this dude last night in a cocoon on my *gasp* healthiest (for the moment) cabbage plant...I am certain it would have had quite the feast...at first I hoped it was a spider egg sac or spider snack being saved for later but that hope quickly faded...

@ claudiamedic - how often do you use neem oil spray?
elysia-
Posts : 76
Join date : 2012-03-23
Location : SW South Dakota
Re: cabbage pest??
Don't know if its a good bug or not. My anti-insect instincts say yuck, kill it.
llama momma
Certified SFG Instructor-
Posts : 4921
Join date : 2010-08-20
Location : Central Ohio zone 6a
Re: cabbage pest??
I totally agree(d). It has met it's maker. 

elysia-
Posts : 76
Join date : 2012-03-23
Location : SW South Dakota
Re: cabbage pest??
I used the Neem oil 9 days ago and haven't seen any of my little friends since then. I will reapply it soon (would have already, had it rained but we haven't had a DROP).

Re: cabbage pest??
Little cabbage worms were having a blast munching away on my cabbage leaves. I sprayed them liberally with a nonfat dry milk/water solution to which I'd added a splash of lemon juice to sour the milk. No more problems.....
Judy
Judy
obrdrln-
Posts : 66
Join date : 2012-01-25
Age : 78
Location : South Chesterfield, VA
Re: cabbage pest??
I'm using the tulle again this year and it works great! No cabbage worms! A few slug hole, but I can live with that minor damage.
Last edited by camprn on 6/20/2012, 6:05 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : typos per usual)
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: cabbage pest??
obrdrln wrote:Little cabbage worms were having a blast munching away on my cabbage leaves. I sprayed them liberally with a nonfat dry milk/water solution to which I'd added a splash of lemon juice to sour the milk. No more problems.....
Judy
Wow that sounds so simple, never heard that solution to cabbage worms before!
llama momma
Certified SFG Instructor-
Posts : 4921
Join date : 2010-08-20
Location : Central Ohio zone 6a
Re: cabbage pest??
Much better than the butterfly net I keep near the garden. Must have looked like a total fool dashing around the garden with the pink butterfly net, slashing the air behind cabbage moths. Only caught a few, so tuille would definitely be a better idea. Thanks. Nonna
Nonna.PapaVino-
Posts : 1437
Join date : 2011-02-07
Location : In hills west of St. Helens, OR
Re: cabbage pest??
obrdrln wrote:Little cabbage worms were having a blast munching away on my cabbage leaves. I sprayed them liberally with a nonfat dry milk/water solution to which I'd added a splash of lemon juice to sour the milk. No more problems.....
Judy
That is interesting - I really appreciate all the great suggestions everyone.

@ Nonna - That was a funny mental picture. Not too related but reminds me of a woman I know who named her cat "meow" and has since regretted it as she has to occasionally go outside and call/look for the cat. "If you see me outside my house 'meowing' it's not that I've lost my mind...I am just looking for my cat."

elysia-
Posts : 76
Join date : 2012-03-23
Location : SW South Dakota
Re: cabbage pest??
Last year, I lost cabbage and broccoli to those darn worms. This year, I'll cover them BEFORE they even sprout. Hopefully I'll avoid the problem altogether.
But what is BT? I might need it!
But what is BT? I might need it!

B00kemdano-
Posts : 131
Join date : 2012-02-12
Age : 50
Location : Huntsville, AL
Re: cabbage pest??
Long scientific name you will never spell much less pronounce; thats why EVERYONE calls it BT. Ask for Thuricide or Dispel. It is an organic "remedy" for All types of caterpillar type worms. It is safe for humans! One bite of a leaf with this on it and instant lock jaw for the bugs. It does not kill them outright but they CAN NOT eat so soon die.
First sign of holes in your leaves look for these worms.

First sign of holes in your leaves look for these worms.

Pepper-
Posts : 564
Join date : 2012-03-04
Location : Columbus, Ga
Re: cabbage pest??
Really the best remedy is to cover your brassicas to keep out the moth that lays the eggs on them. Bt is indiscriminate and will as easily kill a cabbage worm as it will a worm that eventually turns into a beautiful swallowtail butterfly.
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: cabbage pest??
Camprn......1+
Covering them with light weight row cover also protects from the flea beetle that leaves tiny little holes in your cabbage leaves.
Covering them with light weight row cover also protects from the flea beetle that leaves tiny little holes in your cabbage leaves.
quiltbea-
Posts : 4712
Join date : 2010-03-21
Age : 81
Location : Southwestern Maine Zone 5A
Re: cabbage pest??
quiltbea wrote:Camprn......1+
Covering them with light weight row cover also protects from the flea beetle that leaves tiny little holes in your cabbage leaves.

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: cabbage pest??
does the cover need support? or just lay it acroos the cabbage plant?quiltbea wrote:Camprn......1+
Covering them with light weight row cover also protects from the flea beetle that leaves tiny little holes in your cabbage leaves.
HillbillyBob-
Posts : 162
Join date : 2011-12-27
Location : E.Texas
Re: cabbage pest??
H.Bob.....You can lay the light weight cover across your crops but I usually stick some bent wire clothes hangers in the soil and drape it over that to take some of the weight, clipping it in place with spring-type clothespins.


quiltbea-
Posts : 4712
Join date : 2010-03-21
Age : 81
Location : Southwestern Maine Zone 5A
Re: cabbage pest??
thanks guess I'll go cover them up
before a moth finds them


Last edited by HillbillyBob on 3/29/2013, 12:50 pm; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : fat finger)
HillbillyBob-
Posts : 162
Join date : 2011-12-27
Location : E.Texas
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