cabbage pest??

elysia 6/19/2012, 11:32 am

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.

**llama momma** 6/19/2012, 11:38 am

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.

elysia 6/19/2012, 11:48 am

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?

**llama momma** 6/19/2012, 12:01 pm

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.

elysia 6/19/2012, 12:47 pm

Thanks for the salt-water tip too. Hundreds you say? ugh.

**llama momma** 6/19/2012, 12:54 pm

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.

Pepper 6/19/2012, 1:11 pm

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

cabbage pest?? 3170584802

claudiamedic 6/19/2012, 1:13 pm

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).

elysia 6/19/2012, 2:28 pm

Thanks folks! Very Happy

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?

**llama momma** 6/19/2012, 3:00 pm

Don't know if its a good bug or not. My anti-insect instincts say yuck, kill it.

elysia 6/19/2012, 4:19 pm

I totally agree(d). It has met it's maker. Twisted Evil

claudiamedic 6/19/2012, 6:10 pm

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). Shocked

obrdrln 6/20/2012, 11:06 am

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

**camprn** 6/20/2012, 3:03 pm

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.

**llama momma** 6/20/2012, 5:37 pm

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!

Nonna.PapaVino 6/20/2012, 8:58 pm

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

elysia 6/21/2012, 1:56 pm

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. cabbage pest?? 109486

@ 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." Cool

B00kemdano 3/28/2013, 3:38 pm

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! affraid

Pepper 3/28/2013, 4:38 pm

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.

**camprn** 3/28/2013, 4:47 pm

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.

quiltbea 3/29/2013, 12:44 am

Camprn......1+

Covering them with light weight row cover also protects from the flea beetle that leaves tiny little holes in your cabbage leaves.

**camprn** 3/29/2013, 5:54 am

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.

I had amnesia up until now about the dreaded nemesis; I really don't like the flea beetle.

HillbillyBob 3/29/2013, 12:12 pm

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.

does the cover need support? or just lay it acroos the cabbage plant?

quiltbea 3/29/2013, 12:28 pm

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.

HillbillyBob 3/29/2013, 12:47 pm

thanks guess I'll go cover them up Rolling Eyes

before a moth finds them Laughing

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