I currently have a major infestation of grey cabbage aphids
. So I searched on the forum for a solution and found nothing specific for the pest. Lots of solutions for aphids and other pests though. Anyhow I thought I would start a thread where we can add our solutions for pests and what varieties are affected and those that appear to be resistant.
Brevicoryne brassicae, commonly known as the grey cabbage aphid is a destructive aphid native to Europe that is now found in many other areas of the world. The aphids feed on many varieties of plants, including cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and many other members of the genus Brassica, but do not feed on plants outside of the Cruciferae family. So that means thay wont effect your lettices or tomatoes. Cabbage aphids are grayish-green, but a waxy covering gives them a grayish-white to powdery blue appearance. (check out more info on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabbage_aphidThis pest is rampant in my cabbages, Broccoli, Broccolini and cauliflowers. Interestingly the sugarloaf (early Jersey Wakefield) was is not affected
– In a previous post I said it was green coronet variety but on checking the label found it was sugarloaf.
While there are some ladybirds, lacewings and hoverfly larvae pigging out they are not making much of an effect as the aphids are breeding quicker than the predators can eat them.
Anyhow what I have done that seems to being having some effect.
1.
High pressure spray on all the vegies. This seems to knock them down. However it also seems to be spreading them around especially on the Broccoli and Broccolini. Works best with the cabbages where it has been effective but not perfect. Need to keep it up every couple of days.
Reading the posts where soap or oil sprays have been effective with aphids got me thinking. I don’t want to use or risk soaps or oils because of the fish but what else could I use. I noticed that when spraying eco rose (I spray everything in case of a potassium deficiencies) on the brassicas (cabbages, caulies etc) that it took the bloom/waxy coating off the leaves. It was at this point I thought that this could be similar to the soap and maybe it could be a safe alternative for aphids, particularly cabbage aphids with their waxy coats.
2.
Eco Rose seems to work as the aphids sprayed 3 days ago have not recovered to have their waxy coating back so I assume they are dead. It is laborious spraying both sides of the leaves but I guess it is no worse than if I was using a soap or oil spray.
3.
resistant varieties It is worth keeping records of all the varieties grown in your system and recording what pests effected them or not and the time of year. As different varieties of brassicas are known to have varying levels of resistance to the pest, this is another great strategy for managing the pest. For example, my sugarloaf so far have resisted the invasion and yet are growing adjacent to the major infestation. Broccolini seems to be highly susceptible as are baby cauliflowers (no variety noted on the label).
Anyhow this is what is working for me so far
. I will keep you posted on the success or otherwise of the methods.
Anyone else have any solutions or noticed any resistant varieties?
Cheers
Marc
Backyard Aquaponics
. At least it gave me some satisfaction 