Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Spinach Update: Leafminer Control


Spinach, Day 43
Originally uploaded by tpl108.
It if weren't for the leafminers, we'd be enjoying this spinach. Nevertheless, the plant is on the mend now that some leafminer controls are in place. To head off future infestations, each leaf is quickly inspected for leafminer eggs, which are almost always on the underside of the leaf. Any eggs are easily whisked off with a finger.

If any leafminers make it inside the plant, they can be squished while actually in the leaf. You'll be able to feel them inside. Of course, that leaf shouldn't be eaten but it doesn't have to be removed either.

Overall, this approach seems to be working. A few leaves look less than edible but the new growth appears to be leafminer free. Big up.

1 comment:

Dr. The Bird Man said...

Why not just go ahead and eat the squished leaf miner....seems like a good protein source to me.