Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: fletch on July 28, 2007, 23:24

Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: fletch on July 28, 2007, 23:24
I have a couple of rows of recently sown rocket that is getting eaten by something. It's the same thing that is eating my radish leaves (or at least the damage looks the same) which obviously I don't mind as I only eat the radish.
It has also eaten, and in parts decimated, my sowings of purple sprouting broccoli for next year  :evil:
I can't find any evidence of insects/pests..........could it be birds?

Fletch
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: WG. on July 29, 2007, 04:02
Little holes mean flea beetle
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: Gwiz on July 29, 2007, 09:29
Buzz Aldrin? :D
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: brucesgirl on July 29, 2007, 17:27
I had this on my first lot of rocket, and some of the lettuces, so I have covered this lot with enviromesh.
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: Jim T on July 29, 2007, 20:57
:?: No signs of the slimy ones :?:
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: fletch on July 29, 2007, 22:22
Thanks for the replies, there's definitely no sign of slugs or snails, upon having a good look today it only seems to be radish, rocket and purple sprouting brocolli affected  :?

I've haphazardly netted the brocolli seedlings for now, think I will have to do the same with the rocket.

Strange that nothing else is affected........every radish sowing gets it.
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: Ice on July 29, 2007, 22:49
My Pak Choi is covered in tiny holes.  What is flea beetle and how do I commit mass murder on it and it's friends? :?
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: shaun on July 29, 2007, 22:56
they do like pak-choi dont they hockey,spray with stuff or make a enviromesh/fleece tunnel.
its still edible but it dont look nice
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: WG. on July 29, 2007, 23:11
Quote from: "Ice hockey mad"
how do I commit mass murder on it and it's friends?
Two sheets of thick cardboard covered in thick wallpaper paste
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: brucesgirl on July 30, 2007, 09:08
Two sheets of thick cardboard covered in thick wallpaper paste

So what do we do? Use them like tennis racquets? Or stick them in the ground?
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: WG. on July 30, 2007, 09:12
Please try the Search button at the top of this page since I recall seeing earlier postings on this subject.  Fill in the search fields as described but do post again if you can't find the answers you need (or even if you just feel like posting again  :D )

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Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: milkman on July 30, 2007, 11:45
sounds like flea beetle to me - if you waft your sticky card thing along at close quarters to the row the little darlings are supposed to jump up in a startled fashion  :shock:  and stick to the bit of card.  

to save a lot of hassle for future though sow and immediately cover the row with viromesh or equivalent.
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: splodger on July 30, 2007, 12:17
i went to my plot yesterday - and found i had an empty seed bed  :shock:

i lightly moved the soil and exposed hundreds of tiny stalks - every single top had been munched   :x

i would guess that this is flea beetle or something similar - my fault as i didn't sprinkle soot in the bed - little critters don't like it at all - now i have to find time to re-sow, but with summer now arriving - it should be ok to try again.
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: Jim T on July 31, 2007, 20:51
Quote from: "whisky_golf"
Little holes mean flea beetle


What's the cure/ 0r preventative for this flea beatle, Dave?

I got some liitle holes on some sweet pepper leaves and runner beans and my neighbour plotter said he thoought it was vine weevil :?:
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: WG. on July 31, 2007, 21:17
Quote from: "Jim T"
What's the cure/ 0r preventative for this flea beatle, Dave?
Read the rest of this thread Jim  :wink:
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: jacnal on August 15, 2007, 09:21
Is there anything else I can use for these hole making in the leaf critters? Or do I have to go buy wall paper paste? My salad leaves have been okay, but now I've holes and need a remedy. Will certainly be envirinmeshing around them as well.
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: Noah'strolly on August 15, 2007, 11:38
My rocket is the same, I wouldn't serve it up to guests, but it tastes fine.
Title: Something's at my rocket
Post by: muntjac on August 15, 2007, 11:45
give em a squirt of washing up liquid in water spray . 1.2 teaspoon to container .... remember to rinse em when ya pick :wink: