We have been informed that we won't be able to grow onions because of white rot, but we'd like to have a go. Would garlic be susceptible as well? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
All the alliums are susceptible, though leeks do not seem to be so badly affected.
However, you could try the organic treatment shown here :- http://www.growyourown.info/page173.html
Several of us are trialling it this year for planting alliums next year.
Alternatively treat with Armillatox 3 weeks before planting. Dilution rate 50ml per gallon application rate 1 gallon per 4ft x 4ft area.
It doesn't completely eradicate it but as long as you don't get a lot of warm damp weather at the point of ripening you'll get a crop.
I have the same problem and get one or two in each crop that show early signs, and I grow both over-winter and spring crops.
We have leeks, and up to now they've been fine, although one did come up minus its roots the other day- would that be a sign of white rot?
How about building some raised beds with fresh soil. :-\ ;D ;D ;D
I agree with corny kev.
If you want good onions you have to put a little thought and effort into growing them.
The first being raised beds. Then saturate the bed with diluted bleach and let the rain and the winter do its work.
Prepare and muck the ground well.
Before planting give a good cover of Blood, Fish & Bone and turn into the surface layer where the main roots will be.
Dont over water, let the tap root go deep down for it. Too much water causes lots of problems.
There are plenty of sights on the web for info to get the best results.
Happy Growing.
It all sounds nice and easy Gwynneth but but you are not getting a full picture.
Some of the biggest onions have been grown in raised beds only one foot deep but as you have white rot it makes things a little more difficult.
What you need to do is lay polythene with no holes on a slightly raised mound so water drains off to the sides, this will stop the white rot from coming up into the raised bed.
You have to have a separate set of tools for use in the raised bed or sterilize them after use as they will carry the infection, the same applies to standing on it as the spores are carried on you boots.
I use bleach at a rate of two cap fulls per gallon and do much the same as Denzele
My offer for Bunching onions still stand you have nothing to loose by trying them
Davy