Troubleshooting
Mustard Greens 'Red Giant' problems — and how to fix them
Mustard Greens 'Red Giant' (Brassica juncea var. rugosa 'Red Giant') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Bolting
Heat and lengthening days quickly send mustard to flower, ending the leaf harvest. Sow in spring and late summer for cool growing weather and harvest young.
Flea beetles
The classic mustard pest, peppering leaves with shot-holes. Use floating row cover from sowing, keep plants growing fast, and clear weedy brassica hosts nearby.
Excessive heat or pungency
Drought and heat make leaves fibrous and harshly hot. Keep soil moist, provide light afternoon shade in warm spells, and pick leaves while young and tender.
Cabbage white caterpillars and aphids
Caterpillars chew large holes and aphids cluster on leaf undersides. Net plants, hose off aphids, and use Bacillus thuringiensis for heavy caterpillar damage.
Prevent mustard greens 'red giant' problems before they start
Most mustard greens 'red giant' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for mustard greens 'red giant' in general rather than its problems? Read the full mustard greens 'red giant' care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Mustard Greens 'Red Giant' problems — FAQ
Why is my mustard greens 'red giant' bolting?
Heat and lengthening days quickly send mustard to flower, ending the leaf harvest. Sow in spring and late summer for cool growing weather and harvest young.
Why is my mustard greens 'red giant' flea beetles?
The classic mustard pest, peppering leaves with shot-holes. Use floating row cover from sowing, keep plants growing fast, and clear weedy brassica hosts nearby.
Why is my mustard greens 'red giant' excessive heat or pungency?
Drought and heat make leaves fibrous and harshly hot. Keep soil moist, provide light afternoon shade in warm spells, and pick leaves while young and tender.
Why is my mustard greens 'red giant' cabbage white caterpillars and aphids?
Caterpillars chew large holes and aphids cluster on leaf undersides. Net plants, hose off aphids, and use Bacillus thuringiensis for heavy caterpillar damage.