What is Causing This?

[newspuds]

All of my Beetroot have this on some leafs, eventually the whole leaf dies. Can anyone tell me what is causing it and how I can treat it?

Thanks.

[ginger ninger]

Looks like leaf scorch to me, but I could be wrong. This is a photo of some strawberry plant leaves that have been wind/water burned.

[newspuds]

I don't think it's leaf scorch ginger, in the early stages the effected part of the leaves goes transparent before drying out to the stage that you see in the photo. It's as though something is eating the inner part of the leaves, something microscopic!

[ginger ninger]

Mmmm, could it be leaf miner insect then??? Not a very good photo, but ya can see the severe damage they can cause.

[chris]

Leaf miner?

[newspuds]

What's a leaf miner?

[ginger ninger]

I've found this. It's a nice Blog with lot's of info and some lovely photos. The lady has photos of her beetroot which have been attacked by leaf miner. Might be worth a look.

[ginger ninger]

What's a leaf miner?

There little beetles that lay there eggs on or in a leaf. The eggs hatch and the grub burrows into the leaf causing tunnels which eventually cause the damage you have on your beetroot. Have a read at this, it's tells you all about them.

You might also want to book mark this site, it's fantastic guide to most of the insect problems you may come across while gardening.

[newspuds]

Yep, That's it for sure! Now, how do I control it?

[Tony Wildish]

I've found this. It's a nice Blog with lot's of info and some lovely photos. The lady has photos of her beetroot which have been attacked by leaf miner. Might be worth a look.

so glad you like my blog, Ginger, though the last time I checked I was not a woman!

I'm no expert, but it does look like those leaves have been damaged by leaf miners to me. Left alone, they can hollow out a large section, but sometimes the thicker veins stop them from spreading further.

I don't know any particular method for preventing them from damaging plants unless you want to use pesticides (which I don't!). One idea I came across is to squish the leaf miners in the leaf, between thumb and finger, and leave the leaf on the plant.

That way, you stop the miners that are there from damaging the leaf further, and other leaf miners are less inclined to lay eggs on a plant which is already 'occupied', so they may move on to another plant.

Hope that helps!

[ginger ninger]

I think the best way to control it is to remove the infected leaf while the bug's are still in it, then burn the leaf. You need to look for leaves that look like this. Or if you can see the bug in the leaf (there very small brown things at the end of the tunnel) squish them while there in the leaf...that's what I do if there aren't too many of them. They can be a pain in the bum with chard, spinach etc. I've had them in my runner beans this year and some tomato plants.

[rustylady]

Keep a close eye on your plants and remove and destroy affected leaves as soon as you see the clear tunnels / patches. Article here Leafminer | How To Control may be of interest.

[ginger ninger]

so glad you like my blog, Ginger, though the last time I checked I was not a woman!

*Ginge sit's with a big red face* O my, I'm sorry. I went with your Blog being called "Jasmine", but on closer inspection it's named after your late African Gray...so sorry... I've just read about her . May I congratulate you on a beautiful Blog named after what seems on first inspection a most exceptional bird.

[Two_Sheds]

... it's named after your late African Gray...so sorry... a most exceptional bird.

* TS and Kali go off to have a nosey

[ginger ninger]

* TS and Kali go off to have a nosey

Well worth a look T.S.