Eggp

what’s eating mNEGGPLA

There are plenty of chewing insects doing the rounds over summer, and some of them have their eyes on eggplants. What’s the problem with that? A few nibbles are okay, but when there are more holes than leaf, the leaves will fail and the plants will struggle, so you’ll get fewer eggplants.

If your leaves are dotted with small holes, this species of fl ea beetle (below) is the likely cause. Look closely to fi nd these tiny insects which have a dark blue met Don’t be fooled by their size; they have a voracious appetite, and breed like fl eas. They also jump like fl eas when you try to catch and squash them.

And what about those cute ladybirds? If they are orange with 28 black spots (a rough count will do), they are also leaf chewers. Under the leaf, you’re likely to see their creamy-coloured larvae having a feast as well. That’s when you know you’re in real trouble. Squash what you can, or fl ick them into a small container of water to drown. sshoppers, which appear numbers in summer, have a taste for eggplant age, too. There’s nothing ubtle about the way they eed either: they chew big hunks out of the leaves. The best time to catch hem is in the morning hen they are sleepy. the thought of catching uashing insects makes mish, cover your plants with a finely woven pest-exclusion net. It’ll keep all these critters out.

Of course, the bees will be excluded, too. While bees do assist with pollination, eggplants are self-pollinating, so you should still get fruit. If production is poor, lift the net every few days and dab the centre of the fl owers with a soft artist’s brush to pollinate them.

Problems in your patch? Write to Phil at experts@gardeningaustralia.com.au asian greens basil

● ● ● ● ● ● ● beans (french, climbing) ● ● beans (snake) ● ● ● ● beetroot ● ● broccoli ●

brussels sprouts cabbage capsicum/chilli carrot

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● cauli ower ● ● ● chives ● ● cucumber ● ● ● ● eggplant ● ● ● ● kale ● ● kohlrabi ● ● leek ● ● ● lettuce ● ● ● ● melon ● ● ● okra ● ● ● ● parsnip ● ● pumpkin ● ● ● ● radish ● ● ● ● silverbeet ● ● spring onion ● ● swede ● ● sweetcorn ● ● ● ● sweet potato ● tomato ● ● ● ● turnip ● ● zucchini/squash ● ● ● ●

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