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How to prevent catepillars on gai lan and bok choy?
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Posted by Barbara_in_LA So. Cal. (My Page) on Thu, Apr 28, 05 at 21:13
| I'm growing both -- or was... the bok choy was eaten up by those catepillars while young, but my gai lan are looking good except for those holes left by the catepillars. What do you use to curb that? I'm growing them in my shade house -- there's a plastic covering over the structure; so I was a bit surprised to find the baby catepillars in there. I've been in there looking for them every day and squishing them but was wondering if there's an easier way to do this...TIA! Barb |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: How to prevent catepillars on gai lan and bok choy?
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| Bok Choy & many other Asian greens are targeted by the same pests that haunt Brassicas (since many of them are in that same family). Your very best & safest bet is to start dusting with BT. This is a natural bacteria that, when ingested by the caterpillars, kills them from within. What's nice is that it is harmless to beneficial insects & humans. You should be able to find it at any well-stocked garden center, & definitely on-line. I know that Garden's Alive does carry it. |
RE: How to prevent catepillars on gai lan and bok choy?
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| I'll look for that this weekend at my local garden center... Thanks, BreezyB!! |
RE: How to prevent catepillars on gai lan and bok choy?
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| You could also use a floating row cover. If you cover them right after you seed you should avoid the bulk of the insect problems. If you can't cover them BT does work well. |
RE: How to prevent catepillars on gai lan and bok choy?
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| Yes - I was going to mention the floating row covers as well, as that's what I use out in the garden 24/7 on everything that doesn't require pollination. (I use them on pollinated plants as well, but uncover them once they start budding.) I just figured that since they were already in a plastic-covered environment, not sure if that would work. I do wonder how those butterflies (or whatever) are getting in. |
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