We enjoy Brassicas, but are challenged with growing them. We have clubroot is present annnnnd…….de draai, or draaihartigheid. I do not know if there is an English word for this. This draai is caused by the Brassica gal mosquito (literally translated from Dutch). Its larvae eat away the heart of the plant and the leaves coming out of the dining area of the larvae, then grow in a turning fashion…hence the name, de Draai. Draai in Dutch is turn, in English. The heart is destroyed, so you will never get anything to harvest; however, the leaves keep growing like gangbusters. It is a sad situation. It makes my heart as empty as the plant itself. Yes, considering that we spent a lot of effort planting, netting and so forth. A few piccies follow. We planted four cauli plants and four broccoli plants. Two broccolis produced heads, and that was it. All the rest have the draai. Here my two pride and joys: …and the other one: A couple of foto’s of the draai: It is a real shame, ach, but that is the way it goes— some days you get the ‘gator and some days the ‘gator gets you.
