What's been damaging my leaves?

[rosyb]

I'm growing swiss chard in grow bags. They're finally getting to an eating size after being munched by slugs and living through the cold weather and now the leaves are damaged.
The leaves have dead grey/see through sections which look they could be mouldy or something?
It looks like a slug or something like that has run over them and the slime has damaged the leaves but I haven't seen any slime and there aren't any more slugs about after my killing spree.
I have fed them and was wondering if some feed got onto the leaves and scorched them.
I water in the evening so the sun doesn't damage them.
Does any one have any great ideas?
I'll try and get a photo and post it on here in case that helps anyone.
Thanks
Rosy

[Alice]

Hello Rosy. Yes it would help if you could post a pic. All of the things you mention are a possibility but I don't think slug damage. It could be the feed you used scorched them. Are the new leavs OK ? Are the plants otherwise healthy? I hope they'll be fine and will look out for your pic.

[voodoo veg]

I have had exactly the same phenomena on my chard but I have not fed mine AT ALL so the feed theory is out for me...my theory was bird poo that had landed on the leaves and the acid had eaten away at that part of the leaf (the areas of damage are kinda bird poo shaped!!!) as mine are outside in raised beds but protected by netting.

I would be VERY interested to know the real cause of this!!!

ps. when I cooked it I cut out the bits of "bird poo" which would not wash off

[leona]

i was told that its some insect that eats the insides of the leaves as i have some like that. my policy is to leave some huge leaves on perminantly and then take the new stuff off. seems only the big ones getting damanged

[Helenclare]

I have leaf miner in my chard that causes large patches of the leaf to die and turn brown. It has spread to my beetroots and turnips. I try to control it by snapping off the affected leaves and feeding them to my chickens, but it is getting worse...had it last year too. Maybe this is what you have in yours too? Helen

[rosyb]

Sorry, having promised photos I came home to find that my camera was out of batteries so photos are off to I can go out and buy some more.
Sounds like it's that leaf miner thing though. As can't see any obvious slugs and water the chard after feeding it so wash any food off the leaves, will have to eat the leaves up quickly to beat the beasts!

[nick the grief]

could be flea beetle, They nibble holes in leaves. Leaf miners usualy leave a trail as they eat between the upper an lower leaf surfaces - basically tunnel thru' the leaves.

[Mucky Lizz!!]

I have been having problems with holes apearing in my leaves, I first thought it was flea beetle (not that I am ruling it out) but I have found catterpillars eating their ways through what they want! I have tried a multi bugs killing spray on half the crops to see if that fixes the problem. It also looks as though I have slugs or snails, but there is no slime, no slugs to be seen anywhere and trust me, any I missed, the chucks would have got.
Any suggestions? as I am dubious about putting down slug/snail pellets as on the odd occassion the little bleeders get in and I don't want them eating them. Last year I was at another house and I was over run with slugs, a can with beer dregs was excellent, it just came back to me so I'm off to try that now Oh dear that means I'll have to open a tinny!!! Mmmmm what if I forget to leave enough oh well I'll have to open another !!

[nick the grief]

Put the slug pellets in a small margerine tub with a couple of small holes around an inch from the base so the slimy gits can get in & get nuked Either empty the contents in the bin & recharge or chck the lot.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Help! Ive got holes!

Hi everyone! Just found some small tiny holes in my broccoli leaves - looking at Dr Hessayon they look like flea beetle holes. I can certainly spread a few more slug pellets around, but according to the book it says spray seedlings with derris - what is this? can I have flea beetle in July? the book says April/May time thanx dexterdog

[dexterdoglancashire]

Ps

Mucky Liz - yep, did try the "alcohol" method earlier in the year - yes it seems to work, and at least the little darlings die happy! - does anyone think it would work with my hole problem? dexterdog

[Mucky Lizz!!]

Hi,
Am fed up of the cabbage butterfly laying her eggs on my leaves, Have found numerous clusters of yellow eggs and also a couple of batches of eggs just as they are hatching, so they had a short life!!!
I watched the big dig this morning, for cabbage butterflies, he makes a solution of rhubarb leaves soaking for 3 months and then waters this onto the brassicas, the flutterby doesn't like the smell and goes elsewhere!! Anyone know of anything else, that doesn't take 3 months to make??

[nick the grief]

DDT

I've got the same trouble Lizz. I have been told watering with saltwater sorts them out - worth a try

[pickledtink]

I must say I feel like some boarding school Matron. Marching along hoicking up the leaves and checking they're clear of eggs. Like sternly inspecting armpits to ensure proper hygiene or something. If my mystery Brassicas are feeling a little harrassed I wouldn't blame them.
I've even found myself glancing out the window and upon seeing a few cabbage whites perched on a leaf gone hurtling out shouting wildly to chase them off.
Given I've been in midst conversation at the time it doesn't really surprise me that people are starting to give me concerned looks and speak to me in a very slow and gentle to way.

[Weavie]

Hi - spraying salt water does work. I too stare out of my window, to gaup at white flapping wings that don't know what to do with themselves when they get near the salted leaves. It's amazing - the bflies DO NOT land! They're obviously desperate to lay their eggs but fly off somewhere else to do it. I can't thank Nick the Grief enough for his advice. We had first cutting of calabrese this evening - bit early I know but fed 4 of us.