This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Rocket seedlings
daisym
Posts: 108
in Fruit & veg
Two weeks ago I sowed a row of seed in a spare part of my veg plot. Within 7-8 days I had a beautiful row of seedlings which quickly developed and were about 1cm tall with four little leaves (including seed leaves). The next day almost half of them had disappeared completely and others appeared to have been eaten. Assuming it was pigeons or other birds, I covered the remainder with a cloche though two seedlings were too far out to be covered. This morning, those two were looking good but all that was left under the cloche was one half-eaten seedling. So it wasn't the birds and there was no sign of bug activity on examining the soil. Please can anyone help?
East Dunbartonshire
0
Posts
Slugs or snails.
Thanks, fidgetbones. There were no trails or sight of either. Do you think there could be baby slugs.under the soil? I do have some of the blue slugbait but would it affect the rocket? - if any survives!
I came across an article in this web site talking about rocket seedlings and it said that rocket seedlings were particularly susceptible to flea beetle. These tiny beetles (3mm) can quickly demolish seedlings but are difficult to see and jump away if disturbed. The suggestion was to cover the seeded area with horticultural fleece at the time of sowing and leave in place until the seedlings are robust or until they are harvested. I have now done this and am hoping for the best.
Flea beetle will normally only make small holes in leaves -almost pin pricks. My bet is with Figetbones slugs or snails. Pellets based on Ferric Phospahte are best if you must use them. Some organic gardeners claim that using copper based tools to plant & hoe can help, I have no proof & they are expensive but they do look great & are lovely to use.
I'd suspect slugs, I don't find a trail, but my beer trap catches at least half a dozen a night...
Thanks for these contributions. I will send my husband out after dark to check the veg bed! I sowed another row of rocket last weekend and now have a row of tiny green seedlings so I don't want to lose any this time. I have never seen copper based tools but will look out for them, thanks. I haven't used any slug bait, but will check to see what is in it.
The other thing you could try is to raise plants in small pots or modules & then transplant the whole plug in clumps. (I only suggest this as if you transplant big plants individually they tend to run to seed more quickly). Already established plants will be able to resist attacks. Copper rings or tape absolutely do work to keep them at bay. Beer traps as suggested above are another good way to go if messy to clear up.
Good idea, Ian. I do have other plants in pots with copper tape around them and I agree it does work. Next sowing I'll try in modules. Don't fancy beer traps! My husband has checked the bed the last three nights and has found no sign of slugs or snails though he found a few in the flower border.
However, today I harvested some kale for freezing. While washing it, there were no caterpillars, which I thought there would be, BUT there were two tiny slugs!! Thanks to everyone for your help.