Why the leaves of carrot are purple-red hue

Growing carrots, we often see the tops of the leaves turn purple-red color. Then the leaves turn yellow, the carrot tops begin to wither and dry up.

What happens to the carrots?

This plant carrots a signal "SOS" and asked for help. Culture attacks a malicious pest, the carrot fly. She begins her departure in the spring when the gardens bloom and lilac. As fly rapidly develops its activity during the entire garden season, then deal with it extremely difficult and troublesome. This is a malicious insect is strictly "works" according to the scheme: fly-eggs-larvae-fly and "stamps" from generation to generation. Even some of the larvae in the autumn may remain in the roots and migrate to the basement for storage. As well as the larvae and overwinter well in the soil. Especially a highly annoying pest in wet years.

The damage caused by carrot fly

My first "attack" the fly starts on the "kids" who have only appeared a few leaves. In the future, the growth of roots is inhibited. They become twisted, woody, tasteless and even bitter. Crack, become deformed in shape with characteristic damages for carrot flies banners around the roots and rusty moves from larvae. Such a crop shall not be stored.

First aid at the first sign of plant damage carrots

Remove from the patches of damaged plants carrots and destruction.

If the damage is small, then use traditional methods: process and shed the soil with extracts of onion (garlic), you can leave the husk on the corn.

Dusting any having at hand, odorous funds will also help. It - any pepper, mustard powder, ash, tobacco dust mixture, the chopped herb wormwood. Dusting need to be repeated in a few days and after rains. The task of the gardener is to confuse carrot fly and ward off it from the patch.

After watering, you need to rake and mulch the soil. Good mulches are peat and coarse sand that carrot fly can not tolerate. The fly does not like dry mulch.

It is important that the plant of carrot is well ventilated and do not grow to unacceptable distress. Bare roots should be mulched or patriciate soil.

If damage is significant, it is necessary to use chemical methods, following exactly the instructions. But this is an extreme measure.

You can grow carrots under non-woven covering material. It protects the plants from carrot flies.