TROUBLESHOOTER

Q Why are plants peppered with teeny holes?

Flea beetles love brassicas, and many oriental greens belong to the brassica family. Plants that get past seedling stage should outgrow damage. To protect crops, keep soil moist and cover with fine horticultural mesh.

Q Why aren’t seeds germinating?

As long as you’ve bought fresh seed, it’s likely slugs and snails are mowing down seedlings before you spot them. Set traps early, remove potential hiding places and try nightly torchlight patrols after rain, especially for Chinese cabbage and pak choi.

Q What’s making plants wilt and appear stunted?

They could be suffering from clubroot – a soil borne disease affecting brassicas. Symptoms are poor growth and swollen roots. The disease is worse on poorly drained, acidic soil, so improve drainage, apply lime and grow resistant cultivars.

Q Will cabbage white caterpillars damage them?

Yes, for those types that belong to the brassica family, but you’ll still find plenty of variation in which plants appeal and which don’t. Check regularly, squash eggs or pick off caterpillars, or use nets to keep the butterflies away.

Q Why are plants flowering much too early?

Most oriental greens need smooth, reliable growing conditions and moist, fertile soil – they’ll bolt in drought and cold temperatures, especially when young. On the plus side, young flowering shoots are delicious and are all part of the harvest for choy sum or Chinese broccoli.