Topic: tiny holes in radish leaves

[chlodonnay]

Does anyone know what could have caused these and what we could do? We planted our radish seeds 3 weeks ago and the leaves are showing, but are covered in tiny holes. The weeds nearby are also holey... ???

[saddad]

Flea beetle... always worse in dry/hot weather...
 :-\

[Jill]

Yep, sounds like flea beetle.   Radishes should develop OK despite.  It's worse when it hits your rocket...

[SueSteve]

I'm new to this, but thought I would add my observations.... my radishes had holes in, and the little critters looked like tiny slugs, I spotted one on the actual radish eating a small hole in it  :o

[tim]

Can't win, can you? The Beetles get the leaves & the wee black Slugs get the goodies!

[isbister]

Yep sounds like flea beetle - they attacked my kohl rabbi seedlings and my cavolo nero plants - an application of derris dust has seen them off, for now

[Tora]

I agree, it sounds like flea beetles.
Last year most of my brassica plants were badly attacked. My oriental greens lost their leaves quite badly.

[Chantenay]

Definitely flea beetle - the also love swedes. Nowadays I used the finest guage of enviromesh which minimises the damage - I have used derris in the past which also keeps them at bay long enough for the plant to outgrow them. I have also heard of people holding sticky tape over the plant and getting them to jump onto it but I wouldn't have the patience for that - I don't hold with circus training ;D

[chlodonnay]

Thanks all. So they will still be ok to eat? What's derris? Hopefully the typhoon conditions we have had over the last couple of days will have blown/ washed them away!
 :)

[tim]

I don't like derrising salad foods. And, anyway, the damage is already done.

Too late for this crop, but fleecing from day1 is so much safer from all points of view?

[matmad]

Yep, sounds like flea beetle.   Radishes should develop OK despite.  It's worse when it hits your rocket...

Oops, our rocket leaves are full of tiny holes.  Can we still eat them?  Might it get worse?

[tim]

If you like lace salad!

[Rosyred]

We still eat radishes as you don't eat the leaves so the holes don't bother me.