Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Fruit cage

k.mick16k.mick16 Posts: 6
in Problem solving
Bought a fruit cage but butterflies are still getting in. Any tips?

Posts

  • GlenjjonesGlenjjones Posts: 146
    Fruit cages are generally to stop birds. you need the pollinators to have fruit.
    if you really need to keep out butterflies you will need smaller holed netting.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Did you put a net on it ? 🤣

    I assume you have got netting that is butterfly proof.
    Is it well pegged down at the base with no gaps?
    If yes, then the butterflies must have been in there already - maybe as caterpillars.
    I also have veg cages and found that even if a tiny bit of brassica leaf is touching the netting, butterflies will lay eggs on it.
    I've give up with it now and just grow soft fruits

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Why do you want to keep butterflies out of a fruit cage? 😶

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I'm with @Dovefromabove on this.  A fruit cage needs access for pollinators, which includes butterflies, so it will have bird-proof, but not insect-proof, netting.  You can grow some veg in there with no problem - things like courgettes or peas, which need insects to pollinate their flowers.  If you want to grow brassicas in your fruit cage they'll need a separate insect-proof net.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • k.mick16k.mick16 Posts: 6
    Thanks everyone. I should have said that although it’s a fruit cage, I only have veg in there. The butterflies are definitely getting in but can’t necessarily get out. I’m very new to gardening and didn’t want my tomato plants etc being eaten after growing  them all from seed😁
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Theres not many things that eat tomato plants in the UK  … but insect activity helps to ensure fertilisation. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • k.mick16k.mick16 Posts: 6
    Thankyou. I’m learning every day. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    We all are @k.mick16 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





Sign In or Register to comment.