CreativeTwinsZoo's journal of self sufficancy

[Britesea]

what's wrong with the brussels sprouts? I don't plant them because they seem to act as a trap crop for the aphids, lol

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I love brussels sprouts - just can't grow the darn things. You'd think that if cabbage and other brassicas grow well - that they would too. But nope....

 

[creativetwinszoo]

Looking good! I'm still in the "dreaming" of the spring garden stage... I do have a couple things in my raised beds. Broccoli and cabbages are doing well...brussels sprouts are reminding me why I never plant them, carrots are progressing and I've got some new radishes that sprouted.

Thank you, thank you, Dreaming is good, it means plenty of plan out time
Cabbages did us a bit of a dud this year, granted I did plant waaaaay later than I expected too. Did michihilli and a plain head cabbage, the michihilli is doing great, but very loose, the plain is large lovely leaves but no heads lol. The Brussels and broccoli was basically a joke this year. But I'll try again next year, it's likely I did something wrong... still learning Winter carrots are so tasty! Its waiting for them that is soooooo hard!!!!!

 

[creativetwinszoo]

what's wrong with the brussels sprouts? I don't plant them because they seem to act as a trap crop for the aphids, lol

Radishes do well as trap crops here, the ones at the school have ended up infested, with both nasty bragada beetles and aphids :/

 

[flowerbug]

I love brussels sprouts - just can't grow the darn things. You'd think that if cabbage and other brassicas grow well - that they would too. But nope....

i wonder if it is just too warm down that far for them, but i don't know it as a fact.

as far as aphid magnet i've not had that experience here but i did have that experience with a related plant that was supposed to be a cabbage but turned out to be some other brassica. gray aphids all over it, since it wasn't what i expected anyways i ended up pulling the plant and burying it. all the cabbages and brussels sprouts did fine that season.

we have plenty of lady beetles around (a few kinds) so i was surprised to see them get established on this plant at all.

 

[creativetwinszoo]

I love brussels sprouts - just can't grow the darn things. You'd think that if cabbage and other brassicas grow well - that they would too. But nope....

Brussel sprouts are so tasty!! So far no luck, but wont be giving up!

 

[Britesea]

whenever I have a sudden heavy infestation of aphids, it usually means the ladybugs are in the middle of their reproduction cycle. If the plant can manage to limp along for a couple of weeks, the nymphs come out in force and wipe them out in just a few days. It's hard to wait though.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

When I have aphids, I blast them with the hose. Usually, that clears the issue right up. They are a nuisance on one of my apple trees, and stunt the leaves if I don't get the hose out right away.

 

[creativetwinszoo]

Have you had any issues with the more 'delicate' plants doing that? Or has it been minimal damage?

When I have aphids, I blast them with the hose. Usually, that clears the issue right up. They are a nuisance on one of my apple trees, and stunt the leaves if I don't get the hose out right away.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

I generally don't have aphid issues on the delicate plants. I would adjust the spray according to the plant tissue involved. Really, all you need to do is knock them off. If it's a susceptible plant, go back every couple days to get any youngsters.

If it was a plant that absolutely couldn't stand up to a hose, (like lettuce) I'd mix up some soapy water and spritz it with a spray bottle, then rinse well after a few minutes.