On the attack. The cabbage whites have won this
time
I’ve lost the battle with cabbage whites.
There comes a time when you just have to
stand down and admit defeat. This week’s
burst of hot weather produced so many caterpillars that I could see the plants
moving as they set about devouring every last piece of leaf of the kale and
broccoli and leaving me with bare stalks.
This isn’t just inside the tunnel either; outside plants
have suffered the same fate. Things were
so bad in the tunnel that people couldn’t go in without commenting about the
smell of rotting plants. This phenomenon came about because of the poo deposits
being left by so many caterpillars; it was all dropping on the floor and
decomposing.
Itchy
As I pulled up most of the plants I was getting attacked by
the crawling swarm, well I say attacked, I really mean they were falling down
the back of my neck and landing on my arms( I am really itching now just
talking about it!) I will save some of
the plants that didn’t come off so badly, but the ones in the tunnel are beyond
any form of a comeback.
In a moment of panic I went online to see about getting a smoke
bomb to fumigate the tunnel. I’ve only
ever used these as a youngster when my friends and I would have telephone box
crams. After we found out how many of us we could fit inside the box (the
record was 10) we would ignite one of the fumigation tablets and hide and laugh
as we observed the reactions of passersby.
As an adult, a couple of points come up from me now. Firstly
the telephone box could have been needed for people needing the emergency
services and secondly you can bet your bottom dollar that fumigation in the
1970’s probably contained DDT or some other lethal chemical. Ignorance can be
bliss, but not in this case I fear.
A Bit of Research
The smoke bombs I found on the internet were cheap enough at
about 5 euro for two and the packets claim that no harmful (to human) chemicals
are used.
As with most things though I decided to do a bit of research
and find out which type are the best.
One comment on a forum forced my decision; someone commented that the
best form of pest control is the winter and frost. They are right. All I need to do is bide my
time and revenge will be mine. Any other pupae that survive will get the finger
and thumb treatment. I was also thinking
that the smoke probably wouldn’t kill off soil borne pests either, so the 5
euro remains in my pocket as I wait for the cold sharp hand of frosty death to
creep into the tunnel.
I’m in the Shops!
I’ve gone retail again!
It’s been a long time since I sold plants, but my fantastic handmade
terracotta pots from Carley’s Bridge Potteries in County Wexford have inspired
me. I have been planting the pots up
with some choice houseplants and decided to go down the “health and vitality”
route and chosen aloe vera and ginseng plants.
I have chosen these two long lived plants as they don’t
require much root space and can withstand a bit of neglect and radiator
heat. The plants and pots should give pleasure
for at least a year before the plants need a bit of extra space. I currently have one outlet at the Legenderry
Warehouse No1 in the centre of Derry next to the Guildhall square, but you
never know they could be in a shop near you very soon.
On the Lookout
I am on the lookout for some seasonal plants that are long
lived to go into the pots as well. I have seen some succulents sprayed autumn
colours to pander to the Halloween shoppers and it won’t be long until the
Christmas stock is upon us. I don’t want
to put anything cheap looking into these lovely pots and I would like them to
be long lived again too. I thought of poinsettia
but these plants very rarely make it past the New Year. It seems strange to be
thinking that far ahead to Christmas, but after saying that I have seen a lot
of decorations in the shops already!
How about dwarf conifers with a sprinkling of white powder
on them? OK, I’ll stop there
PS. I’ve just found out why I am so itchy. 3 caterpillars down my shirt!
