do your cabbage plants wilt and die?

[tjg911]

if so it is most likely cabbage root maggots. years ago i found that 1 watering with wood ash will kill them and your plants will return to full health immediately! i had the problem again a week ago so i should have posted then as i assume that's the time these are a problem at this latitude and earlier south of me.

i put about 1/3 cup of shifted wood ashes into a watering can and fill it with 2 gallons of water for 4 to 8 plants. i try not to get the leaves wet cuz i am not sure if it burns the leaves. water the base of the plant and that's all you need to do. while this will sweeten the soil (raise the ph) the plants don't seem to object, can't recall their ph requirement probably 6.4 to 7.0 but it never has hurt them. 2 gallons would probably do 10 plants as the solution only needs to wet the roots and that kills the maggots.

i've had large cabbage varieties with leaves on the ground it was so bad and they recovered. i now grow gonzales, a mini variety. they will be fine and then one day the leaves are wilting by mid day and i know it is time for the wood ash treatment. if you heat with wood or have a fireplace you should save some ashes for this or find someone that does. i dump 2 32 gallon trash cans of wood ashes each winter! yes, i heat the house with wood.

DO NOT USE ashes from COAL as they are TOXIC!

tom

[kath]

Originally Posted by tjg911

if so it is most likely cabbage root maggots. years ago i found that 1 watering with wood ash will kill them and your plants will return to full health immediately! i had the problem again a week ago so i should have posted then as i assume that's the time these are a problem at this latitude and earlier south of me.

i put about 1/3 cup of shifted wood ashes into a watering can and fill it with 2 gallons of water for 4 to 8 plants. i try not to get the leaves wet cuz i am not sure if it burns the leaves. water the base of the plant and that's all you need to do. while this will sweeten the soil (raise the ph) the plants don't seem to object, can't recall their ph requirement probably 6.4 to 7.0 but it never has hurt them. 2 gallons would probably do 10 plants as the solution only needs to wet the roots and that kills the maggots.

i've had large cabbage varieties with leaves on the ground it was so bad and they recovered. i now grow gonzales, a mini variety. they will be fine and then one day the leaves are wilting by mid day and i know it is time for the wood ash treatment. if you heat with wood or have a fireplace you should save some ashes for this or find someone that does. i dump 2 32 gallon trash cans of wood ashes each winter! yes, i heat the house with wood.

DO NOT USE ashes from COAL as they are TOXIC!

tom

Thanks for this post, tom- my plants were wilting badly during the day when it was hot, but by evening were perking up again. Same scenario day after day. Do they wilt and not recover if they have the maggots? Got plenty of wood ash but don't want to treat if they don't need it, I guess.

kath

[troad]

Tom,
Not to hijack this thread but are root maggots the same little white worms that are ruining my radishes??

Len

[puzzley]

Troad, I believe I'm safe in telling you yes, they are the same. The common name for them is seed corn maggots, and they are a terrible pest. I have had them destroy many large seeded crops, get in my potatoes, and eat the roots of onions, cabbage, etc. Here's a link to give further info.....

http://www.vegedge.umn.edu/vegpest/seedmag.htm

[ireilly]

Originally Posted by tjg911

.... while this will sweeten the soil (raise the ph) the plants don't seem to object, can't recall their ph requirement probably 6.4 to 7.0 but it never has hurt them. 2 gallons would probably do 10 plants as the solution only needs to wet the roots and that kills the maggots.

tom

As I recall cole crops like cabbage like a more alkaline soil, so you are pushing the pH where they like it, assuming it's not already there.

I'll have to remember this tip.

[tjg911]

Originally Posted by kath

Thanks for this post, tom- my plants were wilting badly during the day when it was hot, but by evening were perking up again. Same scenario day after day. Do they wilt and not recover if they have the maggots? Got plenty of wood ash but don't want to treat if they don't need it, I guess.

kath

gee i can't remember it has been so long since i have had the problem, when i see it now i water immediately and they are fine the next day. why not just try it, it can't hurt as a poster noted cabbage like sweeter soil.

tom

[kath]

Originally Posted by tjg911

gee i can't remember it has been so long since i have had the problem, when i see it now i water immediately and they are fine the next day. why not just try it, it can't hurt as a poster noted cabbage like sweeter soil.

tom

Thanks, tom- actually, they've been fine now for a couple days as we've had cooler weather. Starting tomorrow it's supposed to be HOT, so I'll keep an eye on them and if any seem like they're going down, I'll give it a try.

kath