|
Broccoli Troubles |
|
Trouble |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Prevention |
|
Boron Deficiency |
Young leaves are distorted. Brown patches on the
curds. |
Spray at first signs of deficiency |
Apply borax before planting |
|
Black Rot |
Yellowing leaves with black veins. Will kill
seedlings and mature plants are stunted. |
None |
Rotate crops |
|
Cutworm |
Large grey or brown caterpillars attack young plants
at night and stems are severed below ground. Leaves and roots may
also be eaten. |
Hoe the soil around the plant during June and July
and destroy caterpillars as they are found |
Rake Chlorophos into the soil prior to planting |
|
Chafer Grubs |
Wilting leaves. Fat, curved grubs may be seen in the
soil. The plants will die. |
None |
Destroy grubs as they are found during autumn digging
and rake Chlorophos into the soil prior to planting |
|
Club Root |
Discoloured leaves wilt in the sun. Plants will die
or grow slowly. |
None |
Lime well and ensure the soil is well drained. Dip
transplant roots in thiophanate-methyl before
planting. Rotate crops |
|
Cabbage Caterpillars |
Holes in leaves. |
Spray as soon as attack appears |
If white butterflies are found around the plants
inspect the leaves and remove any eggs |
|
Diamond-Back Moth |
Green caterpillars fed on the underside of leaves.
|
Spray at first sign of attack |
None |
|
Downy Mildew |
Yellowing of upper surface with white furry fungus
growth beneath. |
Spray at first stage of disease |
Sow seeds in sterilised compost. Do not over-crowd
and don't raise seedlings where the disease has been before. |
|
Flea Beetle |
Lots of small, round holes in leaves. Seedlings can
be killed. |
Spray at the first sign of attack. Water plants well
in dry weather. |
Treating seeds with an insecticidal seed dressing
will prevent early attacks |
|
Frost |
Can kill plants if it reaches the roots. Affected
leaves are easily attacked by fungi or bacteria. |
Burn damaged leaves |
Ensure plants are firmed well when transplanting |
|
Gall Weevil |
Swellings form close to ground level. Crops are
rarely affected. |
Not really needed. |
Apply a soil-pest killer |
|
Leaf Spot (Ring Spot) |
Brown rings on mature leaves. |
Burn diseased leaves and spray |
Do not plant brassicas in the same spot next season |
|
Mealy Aphid |
Waxy, greyish "greenflies" appear underneath leaves.
Leaves curl and turn yellow. |
Spray at the first sign of attack |
Burn affected plants |
|
Magnesium Deficiency |
Yellowing between the veins of older leaves. |
Apply a tonic around the plant and a fertiliser
containing magnesium |
Incorporate compost into the soil during Autumn
digging |
|
Manganese Deficiency |
Similar in look to magnesium deficiency but tends to
start on young leaves. |
Apply a tonic around the plant |
Incorporate compost into the soil during Autumn
digging |
|
Pigeons |
Soft portion of leaves are eaten. |
None |
Netting is the only viable form of prevention |
|
Slugs and Snails |
Leaves and stems eaten. Young plants particularly at
risk. |
Use slug pellets or add nematodes to the soil |
Keep the site clear of rubbish |
|
Swede Midge |
Leaf stalks near the growing point are swollen and
distorted. Plant becomes blind. |
Burn affected plants and spray those remaining
|
None |
|
White Blister (White Rust) |
White spots on leaves. Growth stunted and plants
might die. |
Burn diseased leaves and thin out plants to avoid
over-crowding |
Do not grow brassicas the following year |
|
Wire Stem |
Base of stems is black. Seedlings die. |
None |
Avoid growing seedlings in cold and wet soil. Avoid
over-crowding |
|
Whiptail |
Thin, straplike leaves. Small cauliflower heads.
Molybdenum deficiency. |
Spray repeatedly |
Ensure soil is adequately limed |
