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Posted by Keith D (U14033222) on Tuesday, 27th September 2011
I bought some Pixie winter cabbage plants in August, put them straight into the veg plot & covered them with a fine mesh net. everything was fine when we went on holiday at the end of August but when we came back 2 weeks later they had been eaten to death, the leaves have got as many holes in them as the net covering them. Do I leave them in or have they no chance & what could have done this as there is no sign of caterpillers.
Keithd
Not pigeons because you have covered them but probably slugs, which disappear magically during day time.
I baited mine and despite poorish soil they are still doing moderately well.
I also planted 10" high seedlings in August which I was lucky to find locally.
gar
Good question, I have had the same experience and it's caused by slugs. I signed in to ask for a current remedy so I'll keep my eye on your replies. I've tried spreading broken egg shells and coffee grounds round the new plants with no result. Best wishes.
Rockwell wot a larf the things you are doing!
By the way cabbage fly is more likely than slug. I forgot to say. It saws away at the foliage.
My spinach gets it after a certain age of the leaf, but if you cut it regularly the new leaf is very good and without any blemishes or holes.
I have kept livestock and gardened for 20 years or more and I have always looked for health rather than disease, in plants and animals that I care for. If you look for disease, you find it.
The slug pellets seemed to put an end to the leaf holes but I also netted it at the same time from pigeons.
I'll try anything, funny or not. However there is a definite snail trail, so any advice would be helpful.
To keep slugs and snail numbers down you could go out after dark with a torch and pick them off or use slug pellets-organic ones are available if you have a prejudice against the chemical type.
I'll try the slug pellets, thanks.
Hi Everyone.
Thank's for your replies. I had put slug pellets down before we went on hol's
& have put more down this week but knowbody gave me an answer to my 2nd question which was. Because they've been eaten so much, do I leave them in to take a chance or pull them up? I have pulled 2 of them up because they had no leaves left at all.
Keith
They may grow back-they may not-if you dont wish to plant anything in the area I would leave them where they are-you have nothing to lose after all-up to you.
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