Since sowing you have been looking forward to delicious cabbage from your own garden and then this: when harvesting you discover white flies. Although the parasites do not cause any massive damage, you will immediately lose your appetite. After all, it is never entirely certain whether there are numerous larvae on the underside of the leaves. So that such a misfortune doesn't happen to you next year, read on this page how to protect your cabbage.
How to protect cabbage from whitefly?
To combat whitefly on cabbage plants, the greenhouse should be ventilated regularly, plant residues removed, the plant rotation varied and a culture protection net used. Targeted watering and sufficient plant spacing also help prevent infestation.
Symptoms of an infestation
- Spots on the leaves
- Whiteflies on the undersides of leaves
- When you touch the plant, a whole swarm flies up.
- Yellowish-green larvae on the plant
- Honeydew on the leaves
- Symptoms mainly occur in late summer.
- Plants in greenhouses are particularly at risk.
Attention: If you do not counteract a whitefly infestation in time, the honeydew will promote the development of the sooty mold fungus.
Protective measures
Adjust climatic conditions
The humid climate in the greenhouse in particular offers the whitefly optimal conditions. You can counteract this by ensuring good air circulation with frequent ventilation. Sufficient planting distance between the individual plants also prevents rapid spread.
Proper care of the substrate
To prevent adult whiteflies from finding food, you should thoroughly remove any harvest residue from the previous year. A layer of mulch also protects the roots. Regular watering also drives away the pests.
Targeted cultivation
By varying your plant rotation, the whitefly cannot establish itself at home. A cultivation break of four years is recommended. It also makes sense to cover the cabbage with a culture protection net (€13.00 on Amazon). The mesh size should not exceed 0.8 mm.
Note: When fighting whiteflies, the main thing is to destroy the larvae. Because only these feed on your cabbage. Adult whiteflies make do with plant remains.
