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Posted by rockwell (U13667131) on Saturday, 16th October 2010
The leaves on my sprouts are lacy. Some of the sprouts have small circular holes. I think there are slugs about but I can't think they're responsible for the leaf damage. The plants are under nets. Any suggestions please.
I have the lacy leaves too, it is another caterpillar. The cabbage whites feed from the edge, this one can obviously eat into the middle of leaves, but it is not so serious as to damage the crop. Really you need to the mesh covering top and sides like a tent. Slugs and snails thrive where there are old decaying leaves, weeds and undisturbed soil, so have a real clean up and give the soil a good hoe. With slugs lifting up the side of the mesh will let in blackbirds who will soon eat the pests for you.
Thanks for your advice. I suspected more than one attacker.
My sprouts have three enemies at the moment: cabbage white (stripey) caterpillars, green caterpillars, and lots of tiny snails. I am fed up picking little creatures off the plants. I have sprayed too but it hasn't helped. One plant is reduced to a pathetic stalk and some twig-like leaf skeltons.
If I say I want to grow brassicas of any type next year, please somebody stop me!
We're having our first sprouts of the season this evening. They came from Sainsburys.
7magpies - I'll remind you. Mine were just the same last year and then when you think nothing else will attack them along come the pigeons
Ah yes, I forgot the pigeons. They had a go earlier in the year, and no doubt will be back. But at this rate there will be nothing left for them, unless they eat caterpillars.
Sainsbury's sprouts were very good.
Thank you all for your helpful replies. As I thought,a number of enemies. The whole sprouts themselves taste very good.
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