| Brussels Sprouts Troubles |
| Trouble |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Prevention |
| Boron Deficiency |
Young leaves are distorted and heads of cauliflowers are small and bitter. Brown patches on the curds. |
Spray at first signs of deficiency |
Apply borax before planting |
| Blown Brussels Sprouts |
Open, leafy sprouts instead of tight button ones. |
Remove blown sprouts |
Ensure plenty of organic matter is added to the soil prior to planting and that the ground is well compacted. Ensure site is sunny and well watered. |
| Black Rot |
Yellowing leaves with black veins. Will kill seedlings and mature plants are stunted. |
None |
Rotate crops |
| Cutworm |
Large grey or brown caterpillars attack young plants at night and stems are severed below ground. Leaves and roots may also be eaten. |
Hoe the soil around the plant during June and July and destroy caterpillars as they are found |
Rake Chlorophos into the soil prior to planting |
| Chafer Grubs |
Wilting leaves. Fat, curved grubs may be seen in the soil. The plants will die. |
None |
Destroy grubs as they are found during autumn digging and rake Chlorophos into the soil prior to planting |
| Club Root |
Discoloured leaves wilt in the sun. Plants will die or grow slowly. |
None |
Lime well and ensure the soil is well drained. Dip transplant roots in thiophanate-methyl before planting. Rotate crops |
| Diamond-Back Moth |
Green caterpillars fed on the underside of leaves. |
Spray at first sign of attack |
None |
| Downy Mildew |
Yellowing of upper surface with white furry fungus growth beneath. |
Spray at first stage of disease |
Sow seeds in sterilised compost. Do not over-crowd and don’t raise seedlings where the disease has been before. |
| Flea Beetle |
Lots of small, round holes in leaves. Seedlings can be killed. |
Spray at the first sign of attack. Water plants well in dry weather. |
Treating seeds with an insecticidal seed dressing will prevent early attacks |
| Frost |
Can kill plants if it reaches the roots. Affected leaves are easily attacked by fungi or bacteria. |
Burn damaged leaves |
Ensure plants are firmed well when transplanting |
| Gall Weevil |
Swellings form close to ground level. Crops are rarely affected. |
Not really needed. |
Apply a soil-pest killer |
| Leaf Spot (Ring Spot) |
Brown rings on mature leaves. |
Burn diseased leaves and spray |
Do not plant brassicas in the same spot next season |
| Mealy Aphid |
Waxy, greyish “greenflies” appear underneath leaves. Leaves curl and turn yellow. |
Spray at the first sign of attack |
Burn affected plants |
| Magnesium Deficiency |
Yellowing between the veins of older leaves. |
Apply a tonic around the plant and a fertiliser containing magnesium |
Incorporate compost into the soil during Autumn digging |
| Manganese Deficiency |
Similar in look to magnesium deficiency but tends to start on young leaves. |
Apply a tonic around the plant |
Incorporate compost into the soil during Autumn digging |
| Pigeons |
Soft portion of leaves are eaten. |
None |
Netting is the only viable form of prevention |
| Slugs and Snails |
Leaves and stems eaten. Young plants particularly at risk. |
Use slug pellets or add nematodes to the soil |
Keep the site clear of rubbish |
| White Blister (White Rust) |
White spots on leaves. Growth stunted and plants might die. |
Burn diseased leaves and thin out plants to avoid over-crowding |
Do not grow brassicas the following year |
| Wire Stem |
Base of stems is black. Seedlings die. |
None |
Avoid growing seedlings in cold and wet soil. Avoid over-crowding |
| Whiptail |
Thin, straplike leaves. Molybdenum deficiency. |
Spray repeatedly |
Ensure soil is adequately limed |