Leek Moth

• Will not affect ornamental alliums
• White or brown patches develop where leaves ahve been eaten by caterpillars.
• Larvae bore into bulbs or stems causing secondary rots.
• More prevalent near the coast where two generations in May and October can cause problems
• No effective insecticide for home gardeners
• Keep plants well watered in summer for strong growth
• In severe cases grow under fleece

Onion White Rot

• Affects onions garlic shallots but less severe on leeks.
• Symptoms include yellow and wilting leaves
• Roots rot and leave mould and black sclerotia in the soil which can survive to cause problems for 8 years
• Plants become loose in the soil and start to go soft.
• Most severe in cool wet summers
• Transmitted by contaminated soil not airborne
• Control by destroying affected plants before sclerotia form. There is no chemical control.
• Avoid spreading contaminated soil on boots.