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Whitefly/Rocket Lettuce

slaywalesslaywales Posts: 11
in Fruit & veg

Morning!!

I noticed my rocket lettuce was hosting a small number of whiteflies recently so bought spray to eliminate, but shortly after applying the product it started raining lightly but then within 10 mins very heavily. Does this mean I'll have to reapply as the solution would have washed off?

Also the rocket is constantly flowering and I've been nipping flower heads off as I've been told this will encourage growth is this correct?

Thanks very much, I'm a complete novice so appreciate any help! :)

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    If the rocket is flowering it is past it. It quickly runs to seed at this time of year. Time to chuck it all on the compost heap and start again. I grow rocket in deep trays as leaves to cut for salads. I sow fresh every three weeks to keep a constant supply through the summer.

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    Ps I don't spray anything that I am going to eat in the next couple of weeks.

  • slaywalesslaywales Posts: 11

    Thanks fidgetbones...oh I didn't realize that, what a waste...bummer!! Ok will look to sow again, thanks again for your help :)

  • slaywalesslaywales Posts: 11

    The reason I was pinching flower buds was based on advice from RHS:

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/vegetables/rocket?type=v

    "As flower buds appear, pinch them out to prolong cropping, unless you want the plants to set seed – they can be used as a garnish for salads, too." So I thought they were still ok :)

  • Green MagpieGreen Magpie Posts: 806

    If the leaves taste OK, then keep using them. Once they get a bit past it, they can become tough and bitter,  and often peppered with insect holes, but if they seem appetising, you can eat them . 

    But yes, you do need to sow  some more. So do I, thanks for the reminder!

  • Green MagpieGreen Magpie Posts: 806

    If the leaves taste OK, then keep using them. Once they get a bit past it, they can become tough and bitter,  and often peppered with insect holes, but if they seem appetising, you can eat them . 

    But yes, you do need to sow  some more. So do I, thanks for the reminder!

    I should add:  the above applies to the plants bolting. If it's the spray you're worried about, read the bottle. Some things barely taint the crop, others make it unusable for a week or two.

  • Green MagpieGreen Magpie Posts: 806

    I now seem to have posted two versions of my reply. How do I delete the first one? I think we could do this on the old forum, but this new version is still much less user-friendly.

  • slaywalesslaywales Posts: 11

    Thanks very much Green Magpie I did taste them but as you say they were very bitter...yuck!!

    Anyway I got rid of the crop and planted squash seeds instead as I read it's a good time of year for that. And in reality we use squash alot more in our cooking than rocket :))))

    Thanks for the help and advice I really appreciate it!! :)

    (The bug spray didn't seem to mention anything about how long before you could harvest...doesn't matter now though lol)

    Best wishes

    SM

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