I plant nasturtiums every year from seed and they sprout and start to grow but then suddenly they look like something is eating on them and then their leaves turn light yellow and looks like something is making paths or tunnels inside the leaves. I live in zone 5, so I plant the seed directly in the ground. I have tried planting them for many years but never have any turn out. Any suggestions?
This sounds like leafminer damage. Leafminers do commonly attack nasturtiums. See these articles for advice:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/leaf-miner-control.htm
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/leafminers-in-home-vegetable-gardens/
Can anyone help me to identify this plant, please? It doesn't belong to me (yet!) and is coming through the fence.
This is nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus. Here is more about it:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/nasturtium/growing-nasturtiums.htm
Should I pinch out the growing tip as I do with sweet peas?
Yes, you can pinch out the growth to keep them from becoming too leggy.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/nasturtium/growing-nasturtiums.htm
Will these flowers attract bees? Are they considered a pollinator plant? Thanks
Yes! The bright yellow and orange flowers (and several other colors!) are great pollinator magnets!
The nectar in the flowers is very tasty!
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/nasturtium/growing-nasturtiums.htm
There are a few yellow leaves on the plants. They are in window boxes in sun.
It is common for some leaves to yellow on a Nasturtium. They are fast growers and the plant often shades itself. Just pinch off the leaves.
If it is more then the occasional yellow leaf, check your watering.
Too much or too little can cause yellowing leaves.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/nasturtium/growing-nasturtiums.htm
I planted nasturtiums last summer. They sprouted and grew very leggy throughout the fall and winter, with some small leaves, not a ton, and very few flowers. Now they’re super long and leggy with some small leaves, again. What should I do for them so that they can flower and even flourish this spring/summer?
This can happen when they receive too much shade. They are suited for full sun, and only partial shade. This could also have something to do with poor soil fertility, or compacted soil as well, although soil fertility is not a usual problem. They will thrive in low nutrient environment just fine, usually.
This article will give you more information on their care: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/nasturtium/growing-nasturtiums.htm
I have a steep upright hedge bank, in full sun, has been roundup treated some weeks ago. Can I pop nasturtium seeds into this bank and would the climbing variety trail down over or would it be better to grow the bush type please? Perhaps you can suggest any other seeds I could grow in the hedge bank. It’s too steep to plant in the normal way as seeds would just fall off. Kind regards, Chris
I think trailing nasturiums will be perfect for this application. There are even black varieties, which I like to seed every year, that are very interesting. This article will give you more information on the care of these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/nasturtium/growing-nasturtiums.htm