Podding Peas Puts a Pest In the Picture
My climbing peas ‘Stenu’ did particularly well this year. Too well in a way, as I had to resort to extra canes and string to stop their climbing frame leaning over and collapsing with the weight of the plants. They grew over 6 feet tall (1.8m).
Climbing Pea 'Stenu'
So here I am sitting in the conservatory peacefully podding peas.
Podding Peas
It is very a very relaxing task. Most of the pods look like this.
Seven Peas in a pod
Eeeek…what’s this. It’s the dreaded Pea Moth caterpillar. What a cheek, chomping on my perfect peas. The moth lays eggs on the foliage and the caterpillars bore into the pods after hatching. Oddly enough I can never see any holes on the outside of the pods. Perhaps they beam in, like on Star Trek.
A pesky pest
Disclaimer: No caterpillar was injured in the making of this post. They all ended up in the compost heap along with the pea pods. They can take their chance with the wildlife that lives in there. Serves them right.
11 comments
I have never, never, ever, ever managed to grow peas. Why can I grow runner beans when I don’t think my peas ever even germinate?
I’ve realised what I want to do the day after tomorrow – buy a huge bag of peas in their pods and work my way through them raw.
(Day after tomorrow – because that will be my first opportunity to go to a greengrocer which will have them. If it weren’t dark already, I’d probably set out straight away!)
Esther
Esther: I don’t usually have much luck with peas. I think the cool weather this year has helped.
Urk – so far I have managed to avoid the Pea Moth caterpillar, one of my fears is that I will eat one by accident while I wonder around the kitchen garden eating peas.
Your pea harvest looks fab – as does your caterpillar.
K
Karen: This is the first year I’ve really noticed them – probably because this is the first year my peas did well!
WHAT BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS OF YOUR PERFECT HOME GROWN PEAS!
THEY SURE LOOK TASTY!
POOR CATERPILLAR, THOUGH! LOL
DEBBIE MOSS
Debbie: Yes the peas were very tasty.
You are a better person than me for not harming those pests. I would probably be double bagging them then well…you don’t want to know. Your peas do look good and to have them grow so tall is fabulous! I hope those pests move on so you can enjoy your peas and I will be on the lookout for these guys. You took fabulous pictures of them.
Tina: I think the podding peas put me in an extra calm mood so the pests were lucky!
it is amazing to me to see peas harvested in August. I have had no luck growing them here in North Carolina although my son in Los Angeles grew them successfully this year starting in march. I guess I will give them another try.
Karen: The cool rainy weather has extended the season though they will finish cropping next week. Hot weather kills them off pretty quickly
ooo that is a little off-putting but well you can see why these little critters are drawn to the delicious peas! Yum! Glad to hear no one was hurt! xxx
CC: Their discovery destroys the Zen moment!
Hi EG, those are the most perfect peas I have even laid eyes on! Podding them must really have put you in a moment of zen, to not squash the alien invader, Star Trek indeed! Yum, I can taste the freshness of the little green gems right now. One can never ever have too many peas!
Frances
Frances: I so agree!
I’d hate to come in contact with those caterpillars!! But your harvest looks great. Podding home-grown peas would certainly give me a sense of fulfillment.
Kanak: The trouble is that after finding the first one I approach every following pod with trepidation!
hello. i’m told that the eggs are layed on the flower and that the pea somehow forms around the eggs, placing them inside the pea which would be why there are never any holes. Don’t know how true it is but its an explanation. :)
Jopan: Whatever the laying method it is very effective :-)
Lovely peas, shame about the caterpillars. We had something similar in some of our Borlotti beans – I wonder if they are the same.
Chaiselongue: It wouldn’t surprise me if there was a Bean Moth – a pest isn’t going to miss such a golden opportunity!
They beam in?… huh, that’s a cute imagination. I would rather go for surgical method. Butterflies do micro surgery, push eggs in and fuse back with laser…
Your peas look so fresh. ~bangchik
Bangchick: Sounds like my moth could be doing the same!
Leave a Comment