Topic: leeks

[shirlton]

My leeks look like they are wilting. Any advice

[saddad]

Sure it's not just the cold.. can make leaves lie down... not ususally Leeks though
 ???

[shirlton]

they seem to have gone soggy.I did pull one up and it looked as if it was rotting

[Barnowl]

I planted two 'autumn' varieties and two spring varieties in two blocks, but the rain washed the writing off my labels so I don't know which is is which.  One lot has gone pretty soft since the frosts and the other lot seem OK, so perhaps it's a variety thing?

PS They don't seem to be rotting

[manicscousers]

we got onion rot one time, that sounds like it, smells rotten too, not sure how it's spread though

[shirlton]

well we only took the plot on in july and it hadn't been touched for a few years so maybe its the variety. i don't know what they were cos I had them given to me. I think next year I will go with the tried and trusted. Better than failing. Thankyou for your advice.

[Barnowl]

I don't want to be alarmist,  but I've read about onion rot on this site and think it's quite serious - means you can't grow onions on the plot for some years, BUT I also  think from what I've read that if the plot hasn't been used for some years it's unlikely to be onion rot.

Might be worth a photo just in case, so the pros on the site can ID the problem.

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,91/topic,20352.msg209949#msg209949

[manicscousers]

luckily for us it was on the old allotment, the club just bulldozed the whole lot away, they actually sold all the topsoil as organic, ???

[saddad]

Rare for Leeks to pick up White rot... possibly an early variety which are less hardy caught by a sudden sharp frost while still growing quickly....
 ???

[shirlton]

Have pulled a leek and taken a pic of it and another when I'd cut it open. I did notice some tiny fly casters inside

[Robert_Brenchley]

Whatever that is, it doesn't look like white rot.

[Barnowl]

Perhaps the RHS could help if you send the photos?

[saddad]

Sounds like that nasty little leaf moth thingy... a bit like leaf miner but with a bigger appetitie!
 :(

[Growbe]

It looks like it could be Onion Fly, there is a second generation in late Summer (take note on the long period of warm weather this year) The second generation of maggots feed on the roots and burrow in to the bulb which causes rot to set in.

If it is Onion Fly there are no chemical cures for it and the bad news is if the maggots move into the soil to pupate you will have problems for years.

[triffid]

If you've had hard frosts then it may be a variety that can't take really cold weather.

But onion-fly damage could also answer for the soft gammy leek-heart in your picture, as Growbe says...  :(  If you suspect it could be onion fly, you should get the affected leeks out of the ground as quick as poss and then turn the soil over periodically during the coming weeks/months to let the birds get at the pupae.

((shirlton))

[shirlton]

I have spoken to others on our allotment site and apparently it's widespread in the area. folks are even coming into the trading shed from all around and asking what it is. They reckon its the moth. Going to dig them all up at  the weekend and in future will grow them on the new plot cos thats about 5 miles away, Just hope the little blighters haven't got the energy to follow me.lol

[shirlton]

Seems like this problem is very widespread

[moonbells]

You could grow your alliums under plain net curtains or enviromesh. I think the moth's large enough to be kept out by that (though not by 1cm green mesh - I think they're 8mm or so in size).

I await them arriving where I am with dread - it's getting to the point where I can't grow a dratted thing organically without it being netted. (Last I heard they had got to within 10 miles, but we're higher up so it might stop them for a while)

- Carrots under enviromesh for carrot fly, brassicas under ultra-fine enviromesh for flea beetle, maybe onions under mesh next year? And fruit bushes to keep off the harlequin ladybirds and shield bugs and birds... argh!

moonbells