Pest identification
What's eating my mizuna 'early mizuna'?
Flea beetle (Phyllotreta spp.)
Signs: Tiny round shot holes across the feathery leaves; seedlings can be rendered unsaleable or die if attacks are severe.
Control: Row cover or insect mesh from sowing is the best defence; delay thinning; keep soil moist; use yellow sticky traps.
Cabbage white caterpillar (Pieris rapae / Pieris brassicae)
Signs: Holes and chewed edges on older leaves; frass caught in leaf serrations; large larvae difficult to spot on cut-leaf types.
Control: Fine mesh exclusion; Btk spray; regular hand-inspection of undersides and stem base.
Cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae)
Signs: Grey-green colonies on growing tips; distorted new leaves; honeydew residue.
Control: Insecticidal soap spray; water jet; remove badly infested growing tips.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes in lower leaves and slime trails; worst in cool, damp conditions.
Control: Iron phosphate pellets; beer traps; hand collection at dusk; grit mulch.
Keep mizuna 'early mizuna' pest-free
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Mizuna 'Early Mizuna' pests — FAQ
What is eating my mizuna 'early mizuna'?
Mizuna 'Early Mizuna' has feathery leaves that are very attractive to flea beetles, which riddle young foliage with tiny holes. Cabbage white caterpillars, aphids, and slugs also attack. Its deeply cut leaves can hide caterpillar frass and make inspection harder — check carefully and use netting from the start.
How do I get rid of flea beetle (phyllotreta spp.) on mizuna 'early mizuna'?
Tiny round shot holes across the feathery leaves; seedlings can be rendered unsaleable or die if attacks are severe. Row cover or insect mesh from sowing is the best defence; delay thinning; keep soil moist; use yellow sticky traps.
How do I get rid of cabbage white caterpillar (pieris rapae / pieris brassicae) on mizuna 'early mizuna'?
Holes and chewed edges on older leaves; frass caught in leaf serrations; large larvae difficult to spot on cut-leaf types. Fine mesh exclusion; Btk spray; regular hand-inspection of undersides and stem base.
How do I get rid of cabbage aphid (brevicoryne brassicae) on mizuna 'early mizuna'?
Grey-green colonies on growing tips; distorted new leaves; honeydew residue. Insecticidal soap spray; water jet; remove badly infested growing tips.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on mizuna 'early mizuna'?
Ragged holes in lower leaves and slime trails; worst in cool, damp conditions. Iron phosphate pellets; beer traps; hand collection at dusk; grit mulch.