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Rocket leaves yellowing/browning - any advice?

cathairmcgorreycathairmcgorrey Posts: 1
in Problem solving
I sewed rocket a few months ago and it was thriving, to the point where I was shocked how much it was thriving with very minimal human intervention. Nature did wonders for it outdoors and I had a great first harvest from it around late June (in Ireland) but since then...the second harvest tries its best but the leaves just keep yellowing/browning.

I've tried giving it feed, moving it into a polytunnel to avoid the unusual rainy summer we're having, tried moving it back outdoors when the polytunnel didn't show any signs of helping...I'm just at a loss at what to try.

The only possible idea I have left is, there was severe winds a few weeks ago which has left the plant a bit misshapen...and possibly the root connection has been severed? But even if that was the case, I do not know how to fix it.

Thanks

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've always grown rocket in the ground. When it's potted, it doesn't thrive very well.
    Although it copes with varying soil in the ground, it doesn't like being dry in a pot.

    I wouldn't have it inside - it's far better outdoors. It doesn't mind any amount of rain  :)
    You can cut it back and it should produce more growth, but it looks bone dry in that pot.
    The annual type is better done by sowing and cropping regularly to ensure a succession of foliage - just like lettuce. I usually grow the wild one, which is almost perennial depending on where it's sited. Some people don't like it as it's a stronger flavour   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited July 2023
    Hello and welcome to the forum 😊 

    My thoughts …

    I find rocket does much better planted in the ground rather than pots. 

    I find that rocket can be quite a shortlived plant … dying off as soon as it’s produced seedheads, so when harvesting I cut the whole plant back using sprigs rather than just leaves … that way the plant has to keep rejuvenating itself. 

    Hope that helps 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited July 2023
    Looks like it needs water.  Today's peat-free composts tend to dry out easlily, and once dry they resist rewetting.  If you try to water dried-out peat-free the water just runs off round the edges and dos no good.  

    Water by standing the pot in a water-filled container.  Add fresh compost to fill-up any gaps.  Once wetted, don't let it dry out again.

    Don't feed a plant that is not well.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Snap @Dovefromabove ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    Too dry and too hot!
    I keep rocket outside through the winter...
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