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Asparagus pests

• Message 1. 

  Posted by cazsudz (U7061972) on Monday, 3rd May 2010

  This is the first year I'm 'allowed' to cut my asparagus, having patiently waited through two springs. I have a few spears coming up, but they all seem to have been nibbled - but by what? - its a bit early for there to be lots of slugs and I haven't seen many - could my friends the wood pigeons be going for the asparagus now the brassicas have finished?
  
  Do other people have this problem and what do they do about it?
  
  Thanks for any advice.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by bookertoo (U3655866) on Monday, 3rd May 2010

  I would suspect the pigeons, but then I suspect pigeons of all things that go wrong anywhere in my garden as I have an unreasonable hate for them!!
  
  I believe there is a pest called asparagus beetle? Try the search engine and see if that holds out any hope for you. You cannot be denied your first crop of the ambrosia of the gods.
  
  It's certainly not too early for lots of slugs, they are about in legions here, (East Midlands) especially after a day or two of wet weather.
  
  If pigeons are the cause you will have to net the bed to keep them off, organic pellets for slugs and whatever you are advised should it be the beetle - I know nothing about that.

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by farmerSteve (U2644680) on Tuesday, 4th May 2010

  rabbits and muntjack love asparagus
  Slugs are not usually a problem

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by cazsudz (U7061972) on Tuesday, 4th May 2010

  Thanks both - no muntjac here and not seen any rabbits - we're in the city. Don't think its asparagus beetle. I suspect the pigeons too so will net the bed. Thinking about nematodes for the slugs later in the year - perhaps I'll start now!
  
  BTW do you know if I should cut all the spears this year or leave some? - there are some very spindly ones that I didn't spot till they were quite tall. Is it like beans where if you stop picking it stops produciing?
  
  Thanks again
  
  caz

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by ageing_hippie (U6742113) on Tuesday, 4th May 2010

  Something bites my asparagus too. It's a bit early for asparagus beetles and I haven't seen any yet. They are very conspicuous black, white and red. They are easy to pick off and kill. Most years they never get to be too much of a problem. I suspect it's small slugs. There are a few of them about. They often attack the stems just below soil level, causing them to grow distorted or curly. I just use the mis-shapen stems for soup. The problem seems to get less as the soil warms and the spears shoot up more quickly.
  Pigeons have never shown any interest in my asparagus.
  
  Even established asparagus crowns will send up the odd spindly shoot. I use them for soup too. I feel that if I let them grow into fronds they may divert energy from the spears. If a crown is producing ONLY spindly shoots I would let it grow to build up for the future.
  

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Bluedoyenne (U2341157) on Friday, 9th July 2010

  Given the very long winter I only bought my 10 asparagus crowns in May - planted 18th May. When I asked what variety there were, or whether they were a mix of male/female, I received a blank look and was told they were 'asparagus'
  
  Anyway I planted them in a trench at the back of my border and 6 of the plants have surfaced. The problem is they all appear to have little round things on them - I'm guessing these will develop into berries and that the 6 plants are all female
  
  As I've read that female plants are less productive, is it worth leaving them in the ground or would it be better, given the fact that they'll be in the ground for a very long time, to dig them up and order more productive named variety plants in February?

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by U14520529 (U14520529) on Friday, 9th July 2010

  the reason female plants are less productive is they last only 20 years the males can last as long as 30. years

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by Bluedoyenne (U2341157) on Friday, 9th July 2010

  and that is the only difference? (so next year there is no reason why I should not get the same number of spears from a female plant as from a male plant?)
  
  

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by U14520529 (U14520529) on Friday, 9th July 2010

  there lots reasons you may not get the same number of spears from male and female plants asparagus.but gender difference is not that much. variety, fertilization, plant maturity, and weather are greater factors in my experience.
  

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 9.

  Posted by Bluedoyenne (U2341157) on Sunday, 11th July 2010

  Thank you for your helpful reply mandyshannon. Thanks to you, they're staying put (all 10 have now surfaced!)

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