Is this infectious?

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Jackypam

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Is this infectious?
« on: August 02, 2013, 12:03 »
Just about to plant out the last few climbing French beans, when I noticed a couple of leaves like this.  Should I just chuck them rather than put them in amongst the much bigger healthy ones just coming into fruit on my plot?  Don't worry about the PSB in the background, that was a healthy snack for a caterpillar yesterday! :wub:  grateful for advise on this one.
image.jpg

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compostqueen

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Re: Is this infectious?
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2013, 12:10 »
It's leaf miner damage.  It's very common on all sorts of plants, not just veg.  I would ignore it.  Your beans will be fine.  It can cause leaf drop if the problem is extensive though

Dealing with it on food plants is tricky and they respond to systemic insecticides but would you want to eat the veg afterwards????????????

The adult leaf miners will be in the soil and digging the patch over after harvest should help

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Jackypam

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Re: Is this infectious?
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2013, 12:28 »
Thanks thats good.  They are currently in modules, so maybe I should wash the compost off the roots to stop the adults getting into the soil?

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sunshineband

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Re: Is this infectious?
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2013, 13:11 »
I shouldn't worry too much, as the affected leaves still function well enough.

The adults overwinter in the soil and are often munched up by birds when they are fossicking about.
Wisdom is knowing what to ignore - be comfortable in your own skin.
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Jackypam

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Re: Is this infectious?
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2013, 13:26 »
Fossicking- I like that one!  A new one for my vocabulary! 

Thanks for the advice, they will go in this afternoon.  Jacky

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Aunt Sally

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Re: Is this infectious?
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2013, 13:42 »
If I'm feeling mean I squash them.  You can see the insect inside the leaf if you hold it to the light.

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sunshineband

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Re: Is this infectious?
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2013, 14:53 »
If I'm feeling mean I squash them.  You can see the insect inside the leaf if you hold it to the light.

I never thought of that!!


 

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