Onion Sets problem

Hi,

Planted some onion sets a couple of months ago and they were growing well with leaves about 18" high and the bulbs just starting to grow a bit bigger, but in the last week or so noticed that some of the leaves started to go over at the top of the bulb.

Looking closer, feeling where the leaves join the bulb it has turned to a partly mushy wet consistancy, cleary beyond any help.

Though it might be the typical Onion Neck Rot, but they say that normally happens after the bulb is harvested, or can it happen at this stage ?

Also no idea if the soil now has some persistent fungus etc that will affect any future crops, onions or leeks etc ?

 

Hi,

The bed in a new area for the Onions and cannot see any maggots etc on the roots which look good and have sliced a couple open but found nothing other than very soft flesh around the neck.

Also the young Leeks , again in another bed not previously used for Onions or Leeks they just do not look good and some are curling like the Onions.

Any ideas as to the cause ? will be dustbining the remains.

 

Seed or sets @ricky101

 

Never seen anything like it.

 

Just had a look at RHS book Garden Pests and Diseases and Onion eelworm is very possible , "Symptoms occur on young plants growth becomes swollen, twisted and distorted, leaves and stems have loose mealy texture, lack crispness and rot before maturity" recommendation dig up and burn affected plants. Keep ground free of host plants and weeds for two years before growing onions and leeks there again, grow brassicas and lettuce there as these are not attacked, root crops, beas and beans can act act as hosts and although not badly affected will keep the infection in the soil.

 

Thanks all,

The Sets were Wilkos finest (!) though cannot remember which variety. Sturton, Tubro or Stugar.

The Leeks, Musselburgh grown from seeds, Mr Fothergills.

Both grown on other areas last year with good results, so a bit frustrated they have both got this problem when both in different raised beds areas.

Unable to see any pest with the naked eye but will lift and destroy them all to try and reduce the problem spreading.

Had already plannned to plant brassicas after the onions, so will expand them to both beds as @NigelJ suggests.

Had got a few Shallots in the same bed as the Onions but a bit away from them, and so far seem ok ?

 

[QUOTE="NigelJ, post: 1423551, member: 10849". Keep ground free of host plants and weeds for two years before growing onions and leeks there again, grow brassicas and lettuce there as these are not attacked, root crops, beas and beans can act act as hosts and although not badly affected will keep the infection in the soil.[/QUOTE]

Would True and Perpetual Spinach and Chard be safe to grow as well as Brassicas ?

 

@ricky101 Consulted "Pests Diseases & Disorders of Garden Plants" 3rd edition and it saysthe following affected, to a greater or lesser extent: onion, leek, garlic, shallot, chives, parsnip, carrots, broad beans, rhubarb French and runner beans, peas, potatoes, lettuce, spinach and swede.
So I think I would steer clear of chard.
RHS advice Stem and bulb nematode / RHS Gardening

 

As its in our raised beds, wonder if a drench or two of Jeye Fluid or similar and left to overwinter would be effective ??
Do not have the space to relocate them to a new area of the garden.

 

One thing I noticed is that it says the damage is most evident at the end of the season.

 

If they were autumn onion sets then it would likely be onion eelworm this time of year, but for spring planting sets then it tends to be late summer early autumn when the damage is noticeable. I am not so sure it would be onion eelworm or white rot, I am wondering if it could be Allium leaf miner.

Allium leaf miner / RHS Gardening

 

@gks certainly could be.

 

But the leeks have got the same problem and they were seed grown.