[hammers07]

I have grown some rocket which seems to be growing wel.
the leaves though seem to have a lot of pin prick type holes.

Is this some sort of parasite or have they been attacked by something?
Are they safe to eat ?
when should I harvest rocket ?

Thanks

[digger1957]

Sounds like flea beetle. Derris dust should do the trick.

[WG.]

Deffo sounds like flea beetle.  They are safe to eat if you don't use Derris Dust.  Harvest by picking outer leaves anytime you like.

If you are organic hammers (your Profile doesn't say).  Try the mkhenry technique of waving sticky cardboard around.  Something like wallpaper paste should do the trick.

Please try the Search button at the top of this page.  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   )

Search for Keywords: cardboard sticky
Choose Search for all terms
Search for Author: mkhenry
Display results as: Posts
Return first: all available characters of posts

[Sadgit]

my rocket has lasted about 3 weeks and that has bolted now... dear god everything I touch bolts.. oh yeah and my coriander.. again

[Smudgeboy]

My first sowings of Rocket and Coriander were also the first things to be ready. As previously lamented, I made the rookie mistake of sowing loads all at the same time and ended up with a glut of Rocket and Coriander, most of which got ignored until they had bolted.

At which point the Coriander is bitter and the Rocket is tough as rubber.

I ended up throwing loads into the compost bin  

From painful experience, sow little amounts every other week or so and cut and use both as quickly as possible.

Young Rocket leaves are great - peppery and zesty.

Coriander is at it's best before any hint of flowering or any sight of the more jagged leaves.

[digger1957]

Deffo sounds like flea beetle.  They are safe to eat if you don't use Derris Dust.

;Isn't Derris OK if you don't eat within 24 hours?

[WG.]

You are correct digger, sorry - I got my wires crossed with calomel dust.

Derris is of plant origin & so technically is organic.  It is non-poisonous to warm-blooded animals but deadly to virtually all insects and fish.

For flea beetle, however, the sticky cardboard works very well and at least it does no harm to beneficial insects.   Spray derris & you'll take out a whole section of the tapestry ...

I will put both into the Glossary for future reference.

[digger1957]

good point W-G - I'll get out the wallpaper paste!