Do You Use Collars?

[ladylottie]

I used collars for the first 2 years I had the lottie but last year covered the brassicas with enviromesh and didn't have a problem with root fly, so I've done the same this year. I know it was expensive to start with, but it's going to last for years and years (hopefully!).

It may be that we don't have a problem with the root fly on this site (so far!) because I've noticed that no-one else uses collars or mesh at all.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I use 4" squares of carpet underfelt with a slit cut into the centre from one side. I found that shop bought felt rings were too hard and did as much damage to the plant stems as the root fly. I'm on good terms with my local carpet fitter as he gets a box of veg in exchange for offcuts of underfelt.

[Florence Fennel]

I bet that deters slugs as well.

[chris]

I had mine netted with debris netting - they weren't attacked (they were netted to mainly keep the cats off the bed) My turnips that weren't netted however - full of the bloomin things! Not sure what's worse, not realising I had a handful of (partially squashed) maggots or squealing like a girl when I did realise

[Alison]

Never used them and don't need to as I cover all my brassicas with enviromesh otherwise they'd get munched by stray chooks (why can't people look after them properly?) and cabbage white catepillars. My brother did say he used to make card ones but found that there were always loads of slugs hiding out there which kind of defeated the object of it all.

[Bren In Pots]

Not sure what's worse, not realising I had a handful of (partially squashed) maggots or squealing like a girl when I did realise

Chris I need to wipe down my keyboard now that will teach me to read the vine and drink tea at the same time.

[Croila]

I overwintered 8 cabbages in pots and used collars on all of them, plus a bit of Slug Stoppa granules. Not a slug or a root fly has touched them - huge success!

I'm sure I read somewhere that you can also wrap some tin foil round the base of brassica stems to deter the root flies?

[VirginVegGrower]

I put crushed egg shells (can't remember why) in the planting hole of mine as well as lime, then collar on top plus cage nets. Is this overkill?! I expect so...

[endymion]

I wonder how many people use collars for their brassicas and if they are bought or home made? I did look at buying some felt squares, but it doesn't work out any cheaper.

I saw an extract from the Beechgrove Garden where they wrapped strips of kitchen foil round the stems before transplanting them. The foil covered a couple of inches above ground and perhaps an inch below ground. It seems such an easy way of stopping the fly getting access - much better than our disastrous attempt at using roofing felt, which damaged the stems because we made the hole too small.

[Florence Fennel]

"Too late" was the cry, I've planted them already. It's a handy tip to know about though, thanks very much.

[Bren In Pots]

I put crushed egg shells (can't remember why) in the planting hole of mine as well as lime, then collar on top plus cage nets. Is this overkill?! I expect so...

I've done just the same thing, plus a couple of organic slug pellets under the collars.

[jackie j]

Sometimes I use them and this year I havent fingers crossed, so far so good.

[VirginVegGrower]

I saw an extract from the Beechgrove Garden where they wrapped strips of kitchen foil round the stems before transplanting them. The foil covered a couple of inches above ground and perhaps an inch below ground. It seems such an easy way of stopping the fly getting access - much better than our disastrous attempt at using roofing felt, which damaged the stems because we made the hole too small.

Try cutting a slit in your circle, then put a star like slits in the centre or an x.