Why have my leeks gone *blow raspberry here*?

[bonniethomas06]

I am so dissappointed, I am looking at a leek-free winter at this rate.

The younger ones (which I raised from seed) are dreadful, the leaves are all flat on the ground and white, where they haven't turned to mush completely. I haven't pulled one yet, but they feel a bit mushy.

I know it rained alot in August, but I thought leeks were waterproof! They have gone into virgin ground which wasn't manured.

What am I doing wrong? What kind of gardener can't grow leeks!??

[oldjerry]

It sounds to me like they are either suffering from white rot or mildew or both.It 's more common in onions but any allium can get it.As you surmised the wet summer won't have helped.Any sort of rot or mildew suggests that abit better airflow would be beneficial,hoe weeds down etc.Pull them up soon as,use what you can, BURN the rest,don't compost. And don't beat yourself up,I've been growing veg for 40 years and I still can't grow a decent cauli.

[grahamhobbs]

If it is onion white rot, which it sounds like, the ground will need to be treated otherwise you will not be able to grow any of the onion family for years. I don't know of any chemical treatments, but the traditional way is to burn bonfires over the affected area to kill the spores in the ground.

[oldjerry]

Graham I agree but can't you get round this with a normal 4 year rotation?

[bonniethomas06]

UPDATE - got home from work late this evening so just went out to inspect with a head torch - I think it may be allium fly or moth? As on closer inspection there are lots of little holes in the base of each leaf, and coccoons (sp?) on the underside of the leaves.

Not sure there is much I can do - would you just pull them and eat what you can. or treat it somehow and see if they carry on growing?

This has never happened to me before, and I absolutely LOVE leeks. Really - this, the abnormally bad blackfly which finished off me broad beans AND the caterpillars which have overnight, decimated my Cavollo Nero...I feel particuarly persecuted by the insect population this year!!!

[oldjerry]

Hmm... then maybe leek moth spray in August with something toxic or dont if you're organic,either way dig plot over well and let robins eat the overwintering grubs.

[bonniethomas06]

Do leeks freeze ok? I may dig them all up, cut off the bits which have ruined and chop/freeze the rest.

Oh well...

[pelmetman]

I've never frozen them but my trusty books says they freeze OK. Just cut them up into small pieces and blanche for few minutes then freeze.

Sue

[bonniethomas06]

Thanks Sue, that is exactly what I will do.

If they are not good enough to eat on their own, I suppose they can always go in a soup or pot roast. Shame they are more like spring onions, but better than loosing them altogether I suppose. Am looking on the positive side - next year I will keep a closer eye on my leeks and take action at the first sign of a hole!

We live and learn.

[Millymollymandy]

Have you had any time to google this problem Bonnie as there might be something you can do to save them, not necessarily containing chemicals. Although I do think sometimes if you are really going to lose an entire important crop then you can without guilt use the occasional chemical - but obviously that's up to each person to decide.

Might be worth just digging up a few to examine more closely to see how bad the damage is inside before you dig up the whole lot.

Anyway sympathies!

[bonniethomas06]

Thanks MMM, but I think they are beyond salvation TBH, they seem fine below ground, but are just wet slush where the leaves meet the stem.

Just can't bring myself to use any nasties, I would rather buy non-organic leeks from the farm shop if I have to.

Frozen is fine though, will save me having to chop when I want to cook something quick I suppose!