Holes in bok choi indicated a chewing pest. Close examination of the bok choi plants revealed small beetle larvae hiding down at the base of the leaves in the crown of the plant. These are the larvae of the vegetable weevil, a beetle that feeds on numerous vegetable crops as well as weeds.
Is it safe to eat bok choy with holes?
Sometimes you’ll find bok choy leaves with tiny holes, which is just minimal bug damage, and the bok choy is still perfectly good to eat.
When should I throw away bok choy?
How to tell if bok choy is bad or spoiled? Bok choy that is spoiling will typically become soft and discolored; discard any bok choy that has an off smell or appearance.
How do I protect my bok choy?
Most of these diseases spread through moisture, and the best method of prevention is keeping the leaves dry and well aired. Don’t plant your bok choy too closely together and try not to get water on the leaves.
How do you pick bok choy So it keeps growing?
Cut off the plant at soil level when harvesting bok choy for the whole plant. In some cases, a few smaller leaves will sprout from the crown if it is left in the ground. You can also just cut off the leaves that you will use at one time and let the rest grow on.
Is it OK to eat greens with bug holes?
Fortunately, there’s good news! Greens with holes in them that were created by feeding insects or slugs should be fine to eat, if you cut away the damaged parts.
How do you treat holes in leaves?
For both, treat with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Sucking insects poke tiny holes in leaves and draw the juices out of them. Common sucking insects include aphids, squash bugs, and spider mites.
How do I know if bok choy is bad?
Bok choy is a vibrant green vegetable. If the leaves are dull or light green, the bok choy has gone bad. Other signs to look for are if the stems have turned yellow and if spots have begun to appear on the leaves and stems.
Will bok choy regrow?
2. Bok choy: To regrow bok choy, save two to three inches of the base then submerge the bottom half of the bok choy in a small bowl or shallow cup of warm water. Place the bowl or cup on a sunny windowsill—within a day, you should start seeing new leaf growth in the center of the plant.
Does bok choy regrow after harvest?
You can cut about one-third to one half of the plant at a time, harvesting the outermost leaves. New leaves will begin growing right away! Bok choy’s readiness to regrow and provide more leaves to eat is one of my favorite things about it.
What insect is eating my bok choy?
Bugs in Bok Choy
Some of the most common bugs attracted to these leafy greens are aphids, cabbage maggots, flea beetles, cabbageworm larvae, cabbage loopers, cutworms, whiteflies, slugs, and vegetable weevers.
How often should you water bok choy?
Bok choy needs fairly moist but never soggy soil conditions. Drought can cause it to bolt to seed too early. Your plants will need consistent watering, especially in the drier fall months. The best rule of thumb is to give bok choy 1 inch of water a week so the soil remains moist between waterings.
Should I let my bok choy flower?
But while bok choy is a fast grower, it’s unfortunately also fast to flower. If you notice your bok choy starting to flower, or if it’s already in full bloom, this is natural but is a signal to harvest your bok choy as soon as possible.
What kind of fertilizer does bok choy like?
Bok choy prefers being planted in soil that’s recently been fertilized. A heavy feeder, it needs nitrogen for leaf growth and phosphorus and potassium. It’s best to add fertilizers in the form of compost or a composted chicken manure at the time of planting instead of throughout its growth.
What fertilizer is good for bok choy?
Bok Choy is a leafy vegetable and needs a good dose of nitrogen-rich manure for good healthy growth. A fertilizer for healthy green leaves with high nitrogen is recommended. You can also use chicken manure or horse manure. Both these fertilizers are a good source of nitrogen.
Can you harvest the outer leaves of bok choy?
Organic Bok Choy Growing Directions
It will continue to produce its edible leaves throughout the cool season. It is your choice when your leaves are ready, the longer you wait the larger the leaves will become. Just make sure to harvest the outside leaves, leaving the smaller inner leaves to grow back.
What is eating holes in my plant leaves?
Slugs and snails chew leaf holes in many plant types, including hibiscus, hosta, basil, cabbage, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and pepper plants. Leaf holes from slugs and snails offer these clues: Holes are large and irregular in shape. Hole edges are relatively smooth.
What causes holes in vegetable leaves?
Slugs and Earwigs
Slugs are the most common cause of holes in leaves, but they often remain unseen because they feed at night. Sometimes larger slugs eat leaves from the edge inward, but small slugs make irregular holes inside leaves, as shown in the chard leaf on the right in the above photo.
Why are there holes in my spinach?
Slugs and snails – Slugs and snails also leave holes in spinach leaves. You can tell the difference by the size of the hole—slug and snail holes are much larger—and by the slime trail slugs and snails leave behind. Baits and traps are the best way to control these insects.
What do holes in leaves mean?
In most cases, holes in the leaves of your flowers mean insect pests, such as caterpillars or slugs. Look on the undersides of leaves for insects or inspect the ground for other telltale signs. Caterpillars, for example, leave green fecal pellets, while slugs and snails leave a shiny trail.
How do I get rid of bugs eating my leaves?
Use 1 tablespoon of mild soap (like dish soap or castile soap) to 1 cup of vegetable oil. Mix well. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil mix to 1 quart of water and pour into a spray bottle. Spray the top and bottom of each leaf where the insects are dwelling and the stems if needed.