Something's munching my Rocket

[Sunbeam]

The freebie Rocket seeds I planted from GYO all came up nicely - but all have been munched by a blighter of somekind - every single leave had tiny pinhead size holes in it - like the ones you get on cabbages but much much smaller - what is causing this ?? I guess I will have to pull the lot up and replant some more...

So far I have been very lucky re pests etc - all my peas were fine and so were my cauli's - I assume this was because I planted everything out too early and had to cover to protect from the frost etc and because all the veg-patch reprobates were not out and about then?

[nick the grief]

Treat them as a cut-and -come-agian crop Sunbeam, I bet they'll be OK. As to what it is Flea beetle or something like that maybe?

[WiZeR]

id say flea beetle too, they got my rocket.

[Slug]

I sowed some rocket a while back and it all got munched. I'd have thought it was too peppery for the little 'rascals'! I've just sown my new batch from GYO and they're all coming up nicely, but lets see how long this set last before they all get gobbled....

[Sunbeam]

If it is flea beetle - what is the best form of attack? I will cut them all back to see whether they'll come again...then cover them with a fleece??

[Weavie]

Hi,
First time for me on forum but I too grew the Rocket seeds and after a few pickings they were covered in tiny pin prick holes. Becuase I'm 'green' i.e. inexperienced I thought the plant had gone to seed and dug the lot up!! Then I read about what perfectly described my rocket problem in 'the great vegetable plot' by Sarah Raven. Flea beetle for sure. She, (Sarah) gives the advice that whenever you sow rocket to immediately cover with fleece for protection against fb.
Thanks for all advise in forum which I eagerly read every night!

[nick the grief]

Or you could use one of her old coats

Hi Weavie, glad to see your changed from a lurker to a nutter

[Weavie]

Tee Hee, I'm that alright. This gardening malarky has really got me going! We are having our garden landscaped in September and the plans we had drawn up of decking, hot tub water feature etc have had to be altered considerably now that I want/need/must have raised beds!! Years of planning out of the window. Just had a small patch this year but have had carrots, pots, peas, beetroot etc etc. Can't wait for September! I think it was you who posted a really useful tip on using salt water on calabrese. Well it works. Its like an invisible electric fence. The cabbage white just wants to lay her eggs but won't land on the leaves - it amazing! Thankyou!

[Squirrel]

Can't seem to find the thread - what was that about salt water and cabbage leaves?

[Weavie]

Thats cos I went from rocket to brocolli! I was saying that I read on this forum that spraying calabrese with salt water acts as a deterent to the white cabbage butterfly. It simply won't land on the leaves, it just flutters around and then leaves - you know flies away!

[fruit&vegvirgin]

sarah also says, when you've cut your brocc, to soak it in salty water for 30 mins to get rid of bugs... ours has been delicious! re the rcket, we just eat it anyway - even though it has flowered - good strong flavour.

[nick the grief]

Hi Squirrel, something one of the folks on our lottie plot told me re caterpillars was to spray with salt water. I guess the cabbages etc won't mind as they are coastal plants originally might even keep the slug s down I've been squishing them this week ...... very satisfying

[Squirrel]

Thanks - now I understnd! I was a little lost there for a moment, easily done I know!