Fungal
Leek Rust
A rust fungus causing bright orange powdery pustules on leek and allium leaves, weakening plants and reducing bulb and stem size but rarely killing established crops.
Symptoms to Look For
- Bright orange oval pustules scattered across leaf surfaces
- Pustules rupturing to release orange powdery spores that rub off on contact
- Leaves yellowing and dying back from tips downward in severe infections
Affected Plants
LeekOnionGarlicChiveAllium
Organic Solutions
Remove infected leaves
Cut off and destroy the most heavily infected leaves to reduce the spore load and improve plant ventilation.
Sulphur spray
Apply sulphur-based fungicide spray to reduce spread during cool wet autumn weather when infections are worst.
Prevention
- Space leeks widely to encourage good air movement between plants
- Avoid high nitrogen feeding in late summer which produces soft, susceptible growth
- Rotate allium crops to avoid infected soil debris
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.