Pests, Diseases and Disorders of Plants

Just as we like the taste of vegetables, so do all sizes of other organisms ranging from bacteria to mammals. Some common (and often serious) pests to be encountered at Elm Road Allotments are:

Wood Pigeons - will eat just about anything especially cabbages

young cabbage plant before and after (posted May 08)

Experimental Solution to deter pigeons May 2008: Fishing Line

Showing a new leaf on broccoli 5 days after fishing line fitted and old pecked leaf (posted May 08)

Trial on sprouts of fishing line [Left] (two single lines) vs black netting [right]

Aphids (usually referred to as greenfly or blackfly) - live in large numbers sucking sap out of young leaves

aphids on young sunflower (posted May 08)

ladybird hunting for aphids (posted May 08)

Large White Butterfly - caterpillar hatches out and eats cabbage leaves

eggs of large white butterfly (posted May 08)

Flea Beetle - hops around eating holes in leaves and roots

flea beetle damage on rocket leaves (posted May 08)

flea beetle damage on French Bean seedling (posted June 08)

Cabbage Root Fly - larva (maggot) hatches out and eats through the inside of roots

larva in slice of radish (larva is about the same colour as the radish flesh (posted May 08)

Frost - damage shows up within 24 - 48 hours. Light damage looks like magnesium deficiency.

Serious frost damage on potato w/b 19th May 2008

Light frost damage on potato w/b 19th May 2008

Page Updated by JP 12th June 2008

All photos taken at Elm Road Allotments and copyright John Palmer

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