Brussels Sprouts

[Sam2702]

This is my first year growing Brussels Sprouts and I mistakenly thought I'd get away with not covering them! I'll know better for next year, in the meantime and for the rest of this year, can I cut off the skeletal leaves that the delightful caterpillars have eaten or should I just leave them? I am in the process of removing the furry things - I may be there a while!


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[teakdesk]

Personally, I don't think I've ever covered brussels sprouts. They seem to recover from attacks by slugs, snails and caterpillars.

I don't intervene; just leave the plant alone! Cabbage often recovers as well (although I do cover them against pigeons!).

[Bren In Pots]

I've been picking caterpillars of my Swede that I didn't cover until it was too late do like teakdesk says and don't trim the leaves are but keep checking because caterpillars are sneaky.

[Sam2702]

I think I must be going mad! Each one I pick off I'm saying 'you little b*****d' and feeding them to the blackbirds who are sitting on the fence waiting! My neighbours must think I've gone fruity loop!


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[Bigmallly]

It's one thing talking to the plants Sam but you must draw the line at talking to the bugs as well..........

[Sam2702]

Lol, it keeps me happy 🐛😊🐛


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[crannman]

got some covered and uncovered both doing fine

[Noosner]

Never covered them before and they've always been fine - until this year!! Have never known so many creepy crawlies, all having a field day. I think mine have been too badly eaten to recover. Still, I picked off 70 caterpillars yesterday and it took me an hour and a half.

I talked to them too, Sam! There is probably no hope for us.

[Dorothy rouse]

I think I must be going mad! Each one I pick off I'm saying 'you little b*****d' and feeding them to the blackbirds who are sitting on the fence waiting! My neighbours must think I've gone fruity loop!


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Sam, please can you jump on a train and come get my caterpillars, please, I hate them!

Ta.

[Sam2702]

How bad do they have to be to not be able to recover? 😒


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[marcofez]

Unfortunately have to always cover mine. Caterpillers and pigeons will eat them all if not!!

[teakdesk]

How bad do they have to be to not be able to recover? ��

How long is a piece of string? No one knows the answer.

All plants have the same will to survive that we do and will cling to life through all manner off bad treatment.

If there is a slim chance of survival a plant will find it.

However sometimes the plant lives but is not suitable for cropping. Try it and see!

Good Luck!

[Two_Sheds]

How bad do they have to be to not be able to recover?

plants photosynthesise through their leaves. If they have no leaves ...

[GrowMoon]

plants photosynthesise through their leaves. If they have no leaves ...

There's a good chance even with no leaves the plant will recover since it will use energy stored in the roots, no? Even when I hack my kale and swish chard down to the stump it still recovers O