We have cabbage whitefly

We have cabbage whitefly on the Brussels sprouts at the allotment!

Here’s what the RHS has to say about what it is and how to treat it:

Cabbage whitefly is a sap-feeding insect that can infest cabbage and all other types of leafy brassica.

The symptoms to look out for are white-winged insects about 1.5mm long which fly up in clouds from the underside of brassica leaves when disturbed, flat, oval, whitish-green scale-like nymphs are attached to the lower leaf surface and black or greenish-grey sooty moulds can develop on the upper leaf surface on the sticky honeydew excreted by this pest.

Whitefly causes little damage so there isn’t too much to worry about but if you want to treat it an  organic pesticide can be sprayed onto the lower leaf surfaces include, try Vitax Organic 2 in 1 Pest and Disease Control or Scotts Bug Clear for Fruit & Veg. Or for chemical control you can use Bayer Sprayday Greenfly Killer All-In-One or Westland Plant Rescue Fruit & Vegetable Bug Killer.

Our Plant of the Month – Euphorbia

Euphorbias are a vast genus of fully hardy perennials with about 2000 varieties.

The like full sun or partial shade in light, well-drained soil. They are fast growing and flower during April and May with insignificant flowers. It is the bracts which give the colour, ranging from limey yellow to bright orange.

Euphorbia require little care, just cut back the faded flower stems in the autumn. Take care when working with euphorbia as the milky sap is poisonous and can cause skin irritations.

The Euphorbia in our garden is Euphorbia polychroma whose dark green, lance-shaped leaves are topped with a froth of bright, acid yellow spring flowers that form a distinctive star shape. In autumn the foliage turns a lovely shade of bronze.

Below is a selection of Euphorbias on sale at Crocus.co.uk, click on the pictures for more information:

Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’	Euphorbia × martini	Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’	Euphorbia characias Silver Swan (‘Wilcott’)

Poisonous Plants

Most of the plants you grow are perfectly safe but it is advisable to see that all steps are taken to ensure that you and your family are safe from harm. This is particularly important when it comes to children and animals.

The Horticultural Trades Association has worked with the Royal Horticultural Society and other organisations to compile a list of potentially harmful plants and to develop a Code of Recommended Retail Practice for the labelling of plants at garden centres and nurseries. Look for safety information on labels when purchasing plants and learn what to do in the unlikely event of poisoning through eating or handling plants.

Many plants, or parts of them such as fruits and seeds, are safe and good to eat and are recognized as food plants. Most others found in the garden as ornamental plants or weeds are not dangerous. Some may cause a digestive upset and discomfort if eaten, as will unripe fruit or raw rhubarb stalks, whilst a very few garden plants are more hazardous and could cause severe poisoning. A sensible rule is: If it isn’t a recognized food, don’t eat it. Make sure children know this.

As well as the danger of poisoning through eating plants, there is also the possibility of suffering an irritant or allergic reaction through contact with a plant or its sap. There are three main types of contact hazard:

a) Irritant sap may cause a burning sensation and sometimes blistering of the skin

b) Some plants contain chemicals called allergens

c) A very small number of plants have sap which renders the skin excessively sensitive to strong sunlight

What to do when poisoning is suspected

If you think a child or adult has eaten part of a doubtful plant seek medical advice at once from a hospital Accident and Emergency Department. If you think an animal has eaten a poisonous plant seek veterinary advice at once. In all cases take along samples of the plant concerned. Don’t panic, and do not attempt to make the subject vomit. In cases of irritant or allergic dermatitis severe enough to require medical attention, again provide a sample of the plant or plants suspected to be the cause.

Here is a list of well known plants and a description of the potential risk. Those plants described as poisonous may cause mild illness when eaten, while a very few may cause severe poisoning. The correct approach is to avoid eating any plants listed as poisonous.

Key: P = Poisonous, S = Skin Irritant, E = Eye Irritant

All of these plants are safe to grow provided they are treated with respect. Remember they are ornamental plants, not food plants.

With thanks to the RHS for this vital information