parsnips

Just noticed this morning some of the leaves on quite a few of my parsnips are going a real dark green and curling over.
Should i be worried ? after having a complete failure with them last yearmaybe i am being a little over protective

 

Have you been feeding them Micky?

 

broadcast some growmore 4 weeks ago did i give to much , also noticed a couple of leaves near to the ground had gone brown on the end so tore them off

 

4 weeks ago won't be the issue Micky. Just wanted to check you hadn't recently given them raw Nitrogen :D

Must be something else then. Can you post a photo?

 

will have to wait untill the old slave driver comes home , the moderator put us right on how to do it but i still have not got the hang of it.
I will take a couple of pics now and jen will post them this evening

 

Just been out to take photo uncurled one of the leaves turned it over and where the leaf meets the stem there are lots of little either black mites or eggs?

 

Can't think of anything specifically related to Parsnips/roots that sounds like that, but I would use some insecticide to kill them off before they do (more) damage.

I don't know what organic equivalents are - soapy-water spray perhaps?

 

Thanks john/kristen had a really good look i'me pretty sure it's blackfly here are the photos ? i hope

 

I've had blackfly on my courgette and some of my flowers... unless you are against chemicals, I'd get some Provado spray (bright yellow bottle, available in all garden centres). It wipes them out for a good few days at least and might stop your damage. You'll need to cease spraying about a week before harvesting... luckily root crops aren't affected (taste wise) by provado.

 

Thanks canucks72 had a look in the bible (dr hessayon) only thing parsnips seem susceptible to i canker does not mention blackfly .
I'me pretty certain it is so i will get some provado today thanks lads i will keep you posted on results , if i lose them i will probably be on the scrounge come november