globe artichoke pests

[jackyspratty]

Hello all
I have some globe artichokes that Ive grown from seed. They were doing really well, in pots in the garden, hardening off ready to go to he lotty this week. Then they have been attacked by something. I think it is aphids but cant see any. Small holes munched in the leaves, no slug trails etc.

If it is aphids can I just treat it with washing up water? Sort of didnt expect an aphid attack on them somehow, slugs yes! All the books I have, none of them have said about aphids as a pest?

Ive removed the damamged leaves that are in the worst state. Shame, hey were looking fantastic too, felt well chuffed

[sarraceniac]

Far more likely to be slugs or snails Donna. You can't always see the slime trails. Are they in their first year? I always have difficulty with the young ones. In later years they are not so bothered.

[jackyspratty]

Yes, first year, just ready to be planted out. Will keep an eye out for the blighters, but then they are gonna go in the lotty tonite hopefully, so maybe a change of scene will do them good?
Assumed it was greenfly because the back garden had loads, beans covered in them and the globes sort of loked in the same condition.

Will just have to plant them and see! Thanks very much.

[Welsh Wizard]

Pigeons seem to like the young plants too. I have had a 15 ft row of seedling artichokes devastated this year by the flying rats...

[jackyspratty]

Hi all, just planted 3 in lotty1. I think it may be an aphid problem? There were a few whitefly and a couple of greenfly on the underneath of the leaves. Also that grey discolouration that happens with an aphid attack on the underneath of the leaf. Also the holey bitten bits were not just around the edges, but you could see the dry grey discolouration on the underside and holes appearing within that.

Put them in, fingers crossed now!

[Llamas]

Slugs have been munching mine too. Little buggers. I found that clearing the ground completly of vegatation seems to help a little. Only the bold dare to cross the open.

[maypril]

A picture would be best.

As others have said, slugs and snails can be a real problem with young globe artichokes and they don't always leave trails. However, they usually munch the l;eaves from the edge, they don't often leave small holes.

Could it possibly be flea beetles?