Tweet
We have a big problem with onions at the allotments this year. The leaves become twisted and bend over and the plants look generally unhealthy. I'm not growing them myself because they always got white rot when I tried but others are so I said I would ask here. One of the men peeled back a layer on the bulb end and there was a tiny white grub in there. Is it Allium Leaf Miner, and if it is, are we supposed to report it to DEFRA? I suppose it's too late to save them once the grubs are in there but is there anything that would prevent it happening in the first place?
-
-
It is probably onion fly. Adults look like small house flys and the creamy coloured maggots eat the roots then burrow into the bulb. Late spring to early summer is prime time for this.There is no effective treatment and the only thing you can do is pull up and destroy the crop to prevent the maggots pupating and then spreading the problem with a second brood.
My books recomend that you (or rather your friends) should not plant any allium crop in that particular piece of ground for a few years as some of the maggots may survive in the ground.The weeks and the years are fine. It's the days I can't cope with!
-
That was quick! Thanks very much, I knew someone here would know.
Is onion fly the same thing as Allium Leaf miner?Comment
-
Not as far as I am aware - I'll check for you
TerryThe weeks and the years are fine. It's the days I can't cope with!Comment
-
This is what DEFRA have to say - there are some pretty pictures at the bottom http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pestnote/allium.pdfThe weeks and the years are fine. It's the days I can't cope with!Comment
-
This is the best I can find for Onion Fly http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/factsh...s/onion/om.pdfThe weeks and the years are fine. It's the days I can't cope with!Comment
-
Thank you very much, that's been really helpful. I'll print them and put them up on our notice board for those without internet.
Thanks again,Comment
Comment