I'm happy, however, to report that my collard greens out in the garden have survived the earlier attack by pests called "flea beetles."
Wikipedia says that flea beetles often attack cruciferous plants (cabbages) including collards, rape (canola), and mustard. And kale too, I can tell you. That's what happened here in July.
The Wiki article continues: "Flea beetles execute their most severe attacks during dry weather and are most active on sunny days. The larvae are known to chew roots." The adult beetles feed on leaves. During the infestation this summer, they ate all my kale seedlings, but they couldn't kill off the hardy collards. It looks like I'll have a good collard crop this fall.
We are also going to have a good crop of tomatoes, along with all the zucchini and winter squashes that are growing out there. Smaller tomatoes are coming in plentifully already, and the larger varieties are really starting to ripen.
Chenonceau had the tattiest looking crucifers this year, so if professional gardeners can't hold flea beetles at bay, what chance have the rest of us got. On the other hand, Villandry's looked absolutely fine, but they planted them out much later. Curiously, I haven't had a problem with them this year. I'm amazed, and this is the first year I have successfully grown any sort of crucifer.
ReplyDeleteThat's gardening... some years you win... some you lose...
DeleteMy kale seedlings were still in a planter box on the front porch when the beetles got to them.
DeleteI think it's also flea beetles that can do a number on arugula.
ReplyDeleteYep, Bob...
DeleteThey absolutely adore "roquet", rocket, arooogla....
more than any other member of the cabbage family, I think...
the flavour is the same, but you have to eat all round the little holes...
seriously, tho', flea beetles are a real hazard for all young crucifers...
and, as Ken and Walt are only 40K north of us, they probably have all the same species....
there is a "sumo" flea beetle here... size of a Swan Vesta household matchhead....
bright, metallic blue... and thighs like a Tour de France mountain specialist...
and, possibly an appetite to match.
your colard looks healthy
ReplyDeleteGorgeous maters!
ReplyDeleteEvery year a garden tells a different story.
ReplyDeleteI had flea beetles a while ago. I'm not a fan of poisons, so I sprayed (puffed?) diatomaceous earth on the affected plants, which took care of the beasties quite quickly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. I'll have to try it. I'm not sure I've ever seen the flea beetles at my garden, only the result of their work.
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