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On Jun 18, 6:32�pm, "Robert \(Plymouth\)"
wrote:
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...

The carrots on the neighbouring allotment to mine are systematically
being wiped out by something or other, first the foliage gradually
goes yellow with a hint of reddy-brown around the edges on some
plants, then the whole lot �wilts and collapses. There are a few very
small aphid type bugs on the foliage, but the roots don't show any
signs of anything untoward,any ideas?

Here's a less than brilliant photo if it helps. Half of his row of
carrots hardly got going after germination and are now well gone, but
the previously very healthy other half of the row is about to go the
same way.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...A/DSC02038.jpg

That's carrot fly although you should be able to see root damage as well.
I
think the aphids are a red herring sent in by the carrot fly to put you
off
the scent. Best to grow carrots them in a raised compartment about two
feet
or more off the ground as the carrot fly is mainly a low level critter;
or
cover in fleece. You can see the same damage on parsley and this year my
ground level parsnips appear to have been affected.

--
Rowdens Reservoir Allotments Associationwww.rraa.moonfruit.com
Feed the soil, save the planet

Eeek! Can my carrots be saved before they take hold, or is it too
late, the first ominous signs are starting to appear, any sprays work?
Likewise my parsnips?
LOL at the aphids red herring.

Thank you anyway, not good news!

Can't really do much once they're in although it doesn't always mean that
you can't use the carrot, depends how badly it's affected. Another tip is to
sow thinly thus avoiding thinning out seedlings which gives off the carrot
smell which the fly is supposed to be able to detect miles away. Quite how
they arrived at that idea I can't imagine but you get the drift of it, avoid
disturbing the leaves as much as possible.