What's eating my pak choi?

Pak Choi grows fast but is extremely attractive to flea beetles — seedlings can be skeletonised within days of emergence. Slugs attack at ground level in wet weather, and cabbage white caterpillars work through the plant in summer. In mild, damp UK autumns, slug and flea beetle pressure can make unnetted pak choi near impossible to grow.

Hundreds of tiny shot-holes across leaves almost immediately after germination; severe attacks leave nothing but leaf veins on seedlings. Cover with insect-proof mesh at sowing — this is essential, not optional. Diatomaceous earth along rows. Sow in late summer when flea beetle populations are lower. Water consistently to reduce seedling stress.

Ragged holes at the base of leaf stalks and on leaves resting on damp soil; entire young plants can be consumed overnight in wet conditions. Iron phosphate slug pellets (pet/wildlife-safe) around plants. Beer traps. Raised beds with copper tape barriers. Hand-pick at night with a torch.

Caterpillars chew through leaves rapidly; in summer sowings, eggs are laid within days of planting and damage is evident within two weeks. Insect-proof netting prevents butterflies accessing plants. Bt spray on visible caterpillars. Check leaf undersides for yellow egg clusters and remove immediately.