| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Simon |
They're here again ....The dreaded Doryphores that is! (COLORADO BEETLES)I havn't spotted any on our crop of spuds yet but a neighbour just down the road has lots of them 
More information is available on the DEFRA website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pub1.htm including downloadable & distributable posters such as the one below. Anyone else got 'em yet??? 
S |
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| Nick |
I vote we ban French imports.
And invade. Who's with me? |
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| Simon |
MEEeeeeeee! 
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| Treacodactyl |
You meant they've nipped into your house and attacked you spuds, or have you managed to plant them yet? 
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| Nick |
Um, quick check. Obviously not a real issue, and that, but Stella's still made in Belgium, right? Not France? | ||||
| sean |
Depends where you buy it. It's brewed all over the place. | ||||
| Simon |
 
Finally got 'em put in on Sunday actually
It is the first batch that i'm concerned with at present. they are almost a foot high. (Sorry - foreign section = 300mm)
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| Penny |
Me me me me !!!!!!!!! (As long as it's nice and sunny, and lots of wine drinking and sitting about are involved) |
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| Nick |
Calais. We may have to put this on hold til next Friday. |
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| Northern_Lad |
Don't worry, once we've reclaimed all the decent parts of France (sod Paris; it's a fetid dump) we can hop over the border to Italy; always lots of sun and good wine there. |
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| Simon |
For sure I'll go check the stock situation in the cellar
Now sun we can do! 
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| Simon |
Look out Tigger! Looks like you're next
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| Treacodactyl |
Re: They're here again ....
So, are they a big pest in France and what do local do about them? |
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| Simon |
Re: They're here again ....
Thanks TD for rescuing this topic. They are more than a mild pain in the a$$. My neighbour said he would spray if they got bad but he didn't bother in the end. The general "organic" method of control seems to be to pick them off before they lay the eggs. I must have picked at least 200 off our crop last year but I know of people not too far from here that were overwhealmed with them. I heard of an organic spray containing a derris derived substance but havn't tried it. I prefer not to spray with anything if at all possible. (Soapy water excepted). I'll post you a few and you can experiment with them
Anybody else? |
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| Treacodactyl |
Re: They're here again ....
Erm, no thanks. We have enough trouble with lily beetles, we keep picking them off and they keep coming back. I do wonder how long it will be before the pesky CBs manage to fly to the south coast though. Caertainly worth people keeping an eye out for 'em. 
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| Just Jane |
One of my colleagues recommended planting linseed along with the potatoes as it attracts insects which feed on the colorado beetle (or maybe its young). I've done this but as the linseed is only just through its too soon to tell if it works - I found a few of the beetles last year but no obvious affect on the spuds | ||||
| tahir |
Can you autumn plant linseed? | ||||
| Simon |
We are quite far south (about 2 thirds the way down). I am not sure of the situation further north. Maybe somebody from Brittany/Normandy could advise? | ||||
| hardworkinghippy |
I let my chickens free-range all over the garden, but just protect soft vegetables, newly planted seeds and seedlings, salad etc. They eat everything which could be a problem.
You can protect your plot in the summer and let the chicks go over it in the winter - no slugs here either thanks to the chicks. 
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| Simon |
Nice one. Don't they scrat the seedlings out? Or do you use cloches to get them established? I've started an new thread with a more recognisable heading. S |
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| Just Jane |
Don't know - I just sprinkled some on at the same time as I planted the spuds |
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| tahir |
Just found a site that says early to late spring sowing |
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| Anna-marie |
Re: They're here again ....
Anna-marie[/b] |
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| oddballdave |
Re: They're here again ....
Because of the way they are handled? http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/newsitems/colorado.pdf is the most recent document I know of. Spud came direct from field in refrigerated lorry, so Beetles go into hibernation. Whoever works for Smiths/Walkers must be trained to look for 'bugs' since bug flavoured crisps have not been found to be too popular. Dave |
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| Bernie66 |
Are they still reportable in this country? | ||||
| Anna-marie |
Re: They're here again ....
Oh, I see, so we get insecticide-flavoured crisps, instead, then? 
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| Anna-marie |
They are indeed. See Dave's link, above. |
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| Bernie66 |
Doh
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| Anna-marie |
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