Paddy's spot

It seems like the brussels sprouts plants are constantly under attack from mealy bugs. Each week we spray the plant with Pyrethrum and wash the plants but the mealy bugs return within a couple of weeks.

Paddy has suggested using a preventative spray like Garlic Fire rather than using Pyrethrum or insect killer when the mealy bugs become visible on the plant.

More mealy bugs

Once the mealy bugs had a good dose of insect killer we used the garden spray to wash the mealy bugs off the plant.

Washing mealy bugs

We used a hose connected to a garden tap, but if the outbreaks are out of range of the hose then you could use a portable high pressure spray tank like the Chapin 20000 1-Gallon Lawn and Garden Sprayer

The washed plants definitely seemed to respond better than those that were not washed.

Paddy's brussel sprouts

On a happier note, the plants are starting to show actual sprouts!

Paddy's pot

Paddy and I have let some of the bok choy plants go to seed and the seedpods look quite bizarre.

Paddy's bok choy seed pods

Paddy thinks they look alien

Paddy's garden