Topic: Pak choi

[Mrs Ava]

Will the pigeons eat my pak choi?  I have it under netting but could use the net else where if it isn't needed.

[tim]

Don't sow mine till June - being a crop that goes on into the frosts.
Don't think they will - but flea beetle most certainly will, unless fleeced!! = Tim

[NickG]

We just lost a whole row to flea beetle  :'( we have some derris powder, for the replacements is this the best option?

[tim]

No - fleece! = Tim

[cleo]

Fleece would be better for flea beetle-derris should be saved for emergencies-I am not totally sold on `organic` but when one thinks back on the stuff we used to use-ummmumum-thinks-Chlorophos was effective :-[

Stephan.

[Mrs Ava]

Okay, so cage will come off.  Excellent.  Flea beetles did have a good go, but they are under control now (she says hoping  :-\).  And thank you Tim, if they are a good goer until late in the year, I will sow some in the gaps for an extra pak choi bonus!  ;D

[NickG]

I thought Derris dust was a natural product, that could be used in an organic garden, is not the case? help ???

I will get some more fleece and cover, how long should the fleece stay on?

Thanks

Nick

P.S. sorry for Hijacking your thread E.J.

[Mrs Ava]

Hijack away.  I used Derris on my rocket and pak choi as they were being flea beetle attacked, and it does say that it is organic on the pot, but I guess, if you can avoid the use of anything chemical related, no matter how organic, then that can only be a good thing, and a barrier, like the fleece, is the way to go.  Have to say, my rocket was glorious under the fleece, so I removed the fleece and within days they were all full of holes! :o

[tim]

Nick - yes - like pyrethrum from chrysanths -  'non-toxic to humans' in the right dose. Maybe I'm a bit para-whatnot, but anything that, in certain doses, causes harm, needs careful handling  & certainly kills bees &/or fish - is a no-no. And I don't want to feel committed to washing produce.

Fleece - a small nuisance, but I leave it on - as for carrots & brassica. = Tim

[philcooper]

The HDRA's organic guidelines give derris and pyrethrum "qualified acceptance" it's definition is:

Qualified acceptance: materials and practices not suitable for regular use in an Organic garden. They are included to help those moving towards an Organic regime and to deal with particular problems.