Bed 2
Bed two for the season of Autumn/ Winter 2009 is the Brassica bed. Currently growing in this bed is Cauliflowers and broccoli. Plants from the Brassicaceae Family enjoy the cool crisp and often frost weather that winter brings. Broccoli can be grown in the warmer months however it is more susceptible to the Cabbage White Butterfly.
Dealing with tht Cabbage White Butterfly
The Cabbage White Butterfly (CWB) in its adult form is not a problem to Brassica plants, its is their larvae, the Caterpillar. The Caterpillar is usually bright green in colour, but hatch as very small yellow/ white wrigglers. It is at this young stage that the young caterpillars tend to group together on the back of the leaves. It is easy to see where they are by the skeletonised leaf damage. When they are little like this in a group form, it is very easy to squash them with your fingers.
As the caterpillars grow and become green, it can be difficult to find amongst the plants, especially cabbages. Often there will only be the evidence that they are around, this can be seen by their poo on the leaf axils of the plants. It is at this time you can still pick them off and squash them, or if the numbers are so high, a product such as Dipel can be used. The adult butterflies will lay eggs on the back of the leaves. They are small yellow spots that are very easy to rub off the leaves. They will hatch within a week, depending on temperatures and the cycle begins again.
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