How do commercial growers stop infestation of caterpillars on green broccoli?

I have been a vegetable gardener for many years but have always refrained from growing calabrese because I do not like eating caterpillars.I use liquid Derris on a regular basis but to no avail.Please help me out all you allotment holders. I do not want to use toxic chemicals if I can help it! i.e. Systemic sprays which are absorbed into the plant rendering them inedible for up to 14 days.

I net mine. I got some plastic piping from B+Q (about 8 ft long), they are only about 2 quid each, last for ever and choice of coulers!!!!!! Bend them into an arch over your veg, then put fine net over and peg it down. The rain and sun still get in but butterflies can’t. I put a couple outside the net to ceep the butterflies around.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 6:54 pm and is filed under growers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “How do commercial growers stop infestation of caterpillars on green broccoli?”

Toffy on October 31st, 2009 at 12:06 am

I don’t know if this info will help you or not. Couldn’t you spray them with a mild soap and water mixture every few days to keep the bugs from wanting to destroy the plant…Seems that it should help to control or stop them.
References :
Steve C on October 31st, 2009 at 12:20 am

I net mine. I got some plastic piping from B+Q (about 8 ft long), they are only about 2 quid each, last for ever and choice of coulers!!!!!! Bend them into an arch over your veg, then put fine net over and peg it down. The rain and sun still get in but butterflies can’t. I put a couple outside the net to ceep the butterflies around.
References :

National Farmers