Topic: First post - Garlic advice sought

[plot88(Cardiff)]

Hi All,

My wife and I signed up for our first allotment last september, and put in a couple of rows of Garlic and winter onions during October and November. They have all being doing very well, and the garlic especially have become very strong.

However, in the last couple of weeks, I have noticed that the oldest of the garlic leaves are becoming yellow, with yellowing at the tips of some of the newer ones. The newest leaves seem OK. Everyones garlic seems to have some yellowing a little at the tips, but it is much more pronounced on ours.

In addition, both garlic and onion leaves are exhibiting pale blotches. This is not on the surface, but small pale patches on the leaves themselves.

The beds are double dug, with general purpose compost added (all I had at the time), top dressed with bonemeal at planting time and the drainage of both beds is good.

My initial thought was nitrogen deficiency, since they have not had any fertiliser since planting, and we have experienced unusually heavy rainfall this winter, which I assume would leach nutrients from the soil.

I gave both beds a little seaweed fertiliser a few days ago - two capfulls to a watering can across two 9m beds, containing 8 rows of garlic/onions all told.


Could anyone here confirm whether my thinking here is sound, perhaps they need more feeding now?

Does this sound like some other problem?

Any feedback would be gratefully received.

Best Regards

Plot88

[jellywelly]

Are any of the pale blotches starting to exhibit a  yellowy/orange colour, if so it might be rust.

Have a you got a piccy you could post?

[plot88(Cardiff)]

Thanks for the reply jellywelly.

I don't think it's rust, the patches are just pale whitish green.

Will try to get some images up later today.

Thanks.

Plott88

[timeoff]

might just be a little frost damage.

[Tee Gee]

In my opinion; your own thoughts are correct they need a feed!

This is fairly normal had a look at mine today and they are the same.

As far as feeds are concerned I use Nitro Chalk because I prefer it but any nitrogen feed will do!

This is how I grow my Garlic; http://tinyurl.com/2fufms and Japanese Onions; http://tinyurl.com/2ck7cj

[Robert_Brenchley]

I get garlic coming up yellow, but it very soon clears. You only need to worry if it lasts, or if it develops later.

[plot88(Cardiff)]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have now uploaded some pictures of the garlic at various stages including today.

http://picasaweb.google.com/plot88/Garlic?authkey=8kg3xSmGytU

(Hope this works)

This may clarify things.

Thanks again,

Plot88.

[Robert_Brenchley]

That looks perfectly healthy to me.

[MrsKP]

I'm kinda happy, my yellowing isn't anywhere near as bad as yours plot88 (but then again they're nowhere as big either) !

and just look at the cracks in your ground.  I yearn for the odd crack as I live in a swamp.

(note to self:  source some nitro chalk on return from hollibobs).

Welcome aboard !

 ;D

[plot88(Cardiff)]

Well, Thanks to everyone for your comments.
(Mrs. Plot88 Say's thanks too)
Looks like it's a case of give them a little food and stop worrying.
I am a terrible worrier when it comes to my veggies, which comes from being a beginner with a lot of information, but very little experience.

on the plus side, the strawberries are doing well, the rhubarb, which I split ruthlessly, and was convinced was dead, has gone BIONIC. Main crop onions are surfacing, and the first shallot showed signs of life today. Finally, got hold of some frogspawn....anyway, I'll save that for another day  ;D

Haven't had so much fun for years.

Thanks again,

Plot88

[Amazin]

Plot 88

Haven't had so much fun for years.

There! You've cracked it!

 ;D

[tim]

Plotters - this is a perennial. Last year I was asking why others' Garlic was so yellow - this year I'm the target!

[Barnowl]

Only a suggestion Tim, but perhaps that variety gets altitude sickness :)

[allaboutliverpool]

Last year I kept pulling off the yellow bits and pretended they were OK. Surprise, surprise, they were OK. I think some was wind damage, 400 yards from the Mersey, and some of it was rust. This year the Autumn planted ones are as bad, but growing well. You can see the yellowing in my garlic page on my website.

[tim]

I doubt you'd get rust in the Spring??

Oh, & Barnie - I've been up to 39,000' without sickness. But I know what you mean!

[telboy]

You beat me Tim,
I managed 37,500 but didn't carry enough water so turned back - well advised.