What's eating my pak choi 'joi choi'?

Pak Choi 'Joi Choi' is particularly prized for its thick, white stems but those same juicy stems attract slugs, while the leaves draw flea beetles, cabbage white caterpillars, and aphids. In cool, wet seasons slugs can devastate young transplants overnight. Net from day one for reliable harvests.

Large, irregular holes in leaves and damage to the fleshy stem base; silvery slime trails; worst after rain or irrigation at night. Use iron phosphate pellets; sink beer traps; hand-pick at dusk; avoid overwatering; use grit mulch around stems.

Shot-hole damage to seedling leaves, weakening establishment; adults jump when disturbed. Fleece or fine mesh from sowing; delay transplanting; sticky traps; quick-maturing cultivar like 'Joi Choi' often outgrows damage if protected early.

Holes eaten through leaves; green caterpillars and frass visible; large larvae can strip plants fast. Exclude adults with fine mesh; check undersides for yellow egg clusters and remove; spray Btk biological insecticide.

Waxy grey-green clusters on growing tips and undersides; distorted growth and honeydew. Spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural enemies; remove infested tips; avoid over-feeding with nitrogen.