I received Romanesco broccoli in a produce delivery a few years ago and I liked it well enough to try growing it on my own. To me, Romanesco looks more like its cousin, cauliflower, than broccoli, but it has a far more interesting appearance with its tightly packed lime-green head with cone-shaped florets.

Alas, I have struck out twice in my efforts to grow my own Romanesco crop. The first time, I tried growing the vegetable from seed, but the seedlings didn't thrive. This year, I planted seedlings and was happy to see the plants growing and a small spiral-shaped head emerging from each plant. Unfortunately, when I checked on the plants a few weeks later (I probably was avoiding weeding for an extended period of time), I was horrified to see that my vigorous plants had turned into a sickly pest-ridden crop with stunted heads. I took a picture of the strange, woolly, grey bugs torturing my plants and sent a query to Jennifer -- what were they?!

She quickly responded. Aphids. Just aphids.

I am used to the bright green rose-raiding aphids and had forgotten that aphids came in woolly, grey, wingless versions as well. And I had no idea that aphids could do that much damage! On further reading, I learned that aphids are common pests on cruciferous crops such as broccoli and cauliflower. The aphids can damage the plant directly by feeding on it, or indirectly by transmitting disease. One mistake that I made was not checking on my plants more frequently, such as twice a week, so that I could catch the pests before they got out of control. By the time I noticed the problem, it was far too late.

There are several types of control options. Biological controls including maintaining natural predators such as lady beetles and lacewings. Cultural controls include measures such as using high-pressure sprays of water to knock the insects off and silver-colored reflective mulchs. Chemical controls include insecticidal soaps and oils, as well as more potent chemicals. Sources for more information on controlling aphids are provided below:

• Aphids (Pest Notes), University of California (UC) IPM http://ucipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7404.html
• Cole Crops - Cabbage Aphids, UC Pest Management Guidelines http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r108300811.html
• Aphids on Cruciferous Crops – Inspection and Management, Texas A&M University System http://repository.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/1969.1/87054/pdf_1477.pdf

I am tempted to give Romanesco broccoli one last try next year – the third time is the charm, right? But I have learned that I need to check on my plants a little more often than I did this winter.