Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Brussels Sprouts

Collapse

X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Brussels Sprouts

    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!


    Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

  • #2
    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!).
    The proof of the growing is in the eating.
    Leave Rotten Fruit.
    Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potasium - potash.
    Autant de têtes, autant d'avis!!!!!
    Il n'est si méchant pot qui ne trouve son couvercle.

    Comment


    • #3
      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.
      Location....East Midlands.

      Comment


      • #4
        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!


        Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

        Comment


        • #5
          It's one thing talking to the plants Sam but you must draw the line at talking to the bugs as well..........
          sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
          --------------------------------------------------------------------
          Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
          -------------------------------------------------------------------
          Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
          -----------------------------------------------------------
          KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

          Comment


          • #6
            Lol, it keeps me happy 🐛😊🐛


            Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

            Comment


            • #7
              got some covered and uncovered both doing fine

              Comment


              • #8
                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.
                My Autumn 2016 blog entry, all about Plum Glut Guilt:

                http://www.mandysutter.com/plum-crazy/

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Sam2702 View Post
                  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!


                  Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

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

                  Ta.
                  DottyR

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    How bad do they have to be to not be able to recover? 😒


                    Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Unfortunately have to always cover mine. Caterpillers and pigeons will eat them all if not!!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Sam2702 View Post
                        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!
                        The proof of the growing is in the eating.
                        Leave Rotten Fruit.
                        Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potasium - potash.
                        Autant de têtes, autant d'avis!!!!!
                        Il n'est si méchant pot qui ne trouve son couvercle.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Sam2702 View Post
                          How bad do they have to be to not be able to recover?
                          plants photosynthesise through their leaves. If they have no leaves ...
                          All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Two_Sheds View Post
                            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

                            Comment

                            Latest Topics

                            Collapse

                            Recent Blog Posts

                            Collapse
                            Working...
                            X