Is something wrong with my spinach? and my courgettes

[vertangie]

Hey people.

I bought some spinach from the local nursery and it has what I think are little white crystals on it. See pic below. Is this something I should be worried about.



I've been hardening them for a week and some older leaves have gone a bit yellow (as have older leaves on my courgettes).

Any idea what yellowing is indicative of? I guessed at not enough light and a couple of dry days when I didn't give them enough water. The new growth is a good rich green on both the courgettes and spinach. I grew the courgettes from seed but not the spinach.


Thanks experienced ones.

[Earthbabe]

Hi vertangie, I don't know anything about the crystals on the spinach but I wouldn't worry too much about the courgettes as the yellowing of the older/lower leaves is merely a sign of age in the leaf. If the new growth is healthy that should be fine.

[muckman]

Hi,
Iv the same on my spinich, But its going great So i wouldnt worry.

[vertangie]

thank you both. I'm like a worrying mother as I haven't really got a clue what I'm doing

[rustylady]

Letting them dry out when still in pots isn't good, but as the others have said as long as the new leaves are looking good you shouldn't have any further problems.

[leona]

i wander if they are eggs of somesort? iv had quite alot of aphids on my indoor plants and with them usually come eggs on the back of the leaves which look very similar to yours. just wipe them off and squish them

[Alice]

I think your plants sound healthy Vertangie. If you are still worried, pour some water from a watering can over their heads then wipe the white stuff, if it still there, with a bit of kitchen paper. That way whether it is crystals or eggs, it will be gone.

[vertangie]

I don't think they are eggs, it feels like salt. I think it may be Oxalic acid as per this thread. Going to get them in the ground today.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ead.php?t=6872

At least being a walker in the lake district I have really good waterproofs. Going to need them today.

Thanks for your advice peeps.