I've planted some rocket in my allotment, and after it was successful last
year I was hoping for a bumper crop this year. Unfortunately it has seemed
to have bolted very early, with hardly any leaves on at all, certainly nothing
worth picking. The leaves that are there are also riddled with tiny holes.

Are the two things related? Is it a parasite that's causing these holes, or
a defect/disease in the plant?

On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 11:44:11 +0000 (UTC),
(jane) wrote:

On 8 Jun 2004 07:47:11 -0700, (Davemar)
wrote:

~I've planted some rocket in my allotment, and after it was successful last
~year I was hoping for a bumper crop this year. Unfortunately it has seemed
~to have bolted very early, with hardly any leaves on at all, certainly nothing
~worth picking. The leaves that are there are also riddled with tiny holes.

I think this is linked with the dry/cold/wet/hot weather cycles we're
having, much as the late crops thread I started is.

A similar thing has happened with my spinach, which I know is prone to
bolting. I think it has just been too dry.
A question; have you used the same variety of rocket that you used
last year? Some are more for seed, some for leaf.

Pam in Bristol

"jane" wrote in message
...
On 8 Jun 2004 07:47:11 -0700, (Davemar)
wrote:

~I've planted some rocket in my allotment, and after it was successful
last
~year I was hoping for a bumper crop this year. Unfortunately it has
seemed
~to have bolted very early, with hardly any leaves on at all, certainly
nothing
~worth picking. The leaves that are there are also riddled with tiny
holes.

I think this is linked with the dry/cold/wet/hot weather cycles we're
having, much as the late crops thread I started is.

The holes sound like flea beetle. Mostly round the edge? If they are,
you can cover with fleece, or dust with derris. Watering enough so the
plant gets bigger, faster is also good: works with cabbages at any
rate!

Yep, the flea beetles have have attacked my rocket, icicle radish and
chinese cabbage. I haven't had much luck with the derris but maybe I'll try
your watering suggestion.

Pete

(jane) wrote in message ...
On 8 Jun 2004 07:47:11 -0700, (Davemar)
wrote:

~I've planted some rocket in my allotment, and after it was successful last
~year I was hoping for a bumper crop this year. Unfortunately it has seemed
~to have bolted very early, with hardly any leaves on at all, certainly nothing
~worth picking. The leaves that are there are also riddled with tiny holes.

I think this is linked with the dry/cold/wet/hot weather cycles we're
having, much as the late crops thread I started is.

OK, so the poor things are getting confused! I'll sow some more, and
see what happens with hopefully more stable weather.

The holes sound like flea beetle. Mostly round the edge? If they are,
you can cover with fleece, or dust with derris. Watering enough so the
plant gets bigger, faster is also good: works with cabbages at any
rate!

The holes are pretty much all over the leaf, often only a millimetre
or so in size. I've watered pretty much every day, but it has been hot
and dry recently, so maybe the soil is still too dry.

~Are the two things related? Is it a parasite that's causing these holes, or
~a defect/disease in the plant?

Just hungry beetles I'd guess!
Try looking for tiny black jumping things on the leaves.

I picked a leaf and saw a tiny black round insect on it, so it does look
like a flea beetle I imagine.

Pam Moore wrote in message . ..
On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 11:44:11 +0000 (UTC),
(jane) wrote:

On 8 Jun 2004 07:47:11 -0700, (Davemar)
wrote:

~I've planted some rocket in my allotment, and after it was successful last
~year I was hoping for a bumper crop this year. Unfortunately it has seemed
~to have bolted very early, with hardly any leaves on at all, certainly nothing
~worth picking. The leaves that are there are also riddled with tiny holes.

I think this is linked with the dry/cold/wet/hot weather cycles we're
having, much as the late crops thread I started is.

A similar thing has happened with my spinach, which I know is prone to
bolting. I think it has just been too dry.
A question; have you used the same variety of rocket that you used
last year? Some are more for seed, some for leaf.

It is the same variety, which produced a good crop last year.

In article , (Davemar) writes:
| I've planted some rocket in my allotment, and after it was successful last
| year I was hoping for a bumper crop this year. Unfortunately it has seemed
| to have bolted very early, with hardly any leaves on at all, certainly nothing
| worth picking. The leaves that are there are also riddled with tiny holes.
|
| Are the two things related? Is it a parasite that's causing these holes, or
| a defect/disease in the plant?

As other people said, the weather. I have picked some thinnings
at the 2 true leaf stage, which are perfectly usable. The solution
is to just sow again, of course - it is no hassle in the timing
stakes.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.