Allium leaf miner

[SimpleSimon]

So my first batch of leeks have started to go west despite starting off very healthy. They have brown grubs on them, allium leaf miner apparently. Less than half look infected but I'm guessing I need to cut my losses and lift the whole lot?

Also I have a second batch in a bucket that havent been planted out yet. I don't see any signs of damage on those but they weren't exactly far away... About 6ft. I could get some enviromesh and give them ago or shall I not bother?

Looks like he shallots are about to go west too

Edit: I've just realised I had similar damage on my second planted leeks last year. But they sorta recovered a bit when it got cold in October and I got a crop over winter albeit pretty poor. So if I remove all the damage will they sorta recover? I defo want a crop of leeks this year and will even clear some space in my tunnel if I have to.

[Mr Bones]

Certainly looks like ALM Simon. Leeks put on new growth from the centre of the plant so they might grow to make decent plants so long as you don't mind peeling away the outer layers, bear in mind though the ally miner hatches again in early autumn so you'd need to eat them by then. Where abouts are you, here in the Midlands we have leek moth too (it's making its way North). Without using Enviromesh Ultrafine or similar growing leeks is extremely difficult.

[SimpleSimon]

Certainly looks like ALM Simon. Leeks put on new growth from the centre of the plant so they might grow to make decent plants so long as you don't mind peeling away the outer layers, bear in mind though the ally miner hatches again in early autumn so you'd need to eat them by then. Where abouts are you, here in the Midlands we have leek moth too (it's making its way North). Without using Enviromesh Ultrafine or similar growing leeks is extremely difficult.

East Midlands, just north of notts. I've always had issues with leeks. But mostly rust. Starting to think the rust was minor and the main damage was this.

[bramble]

SS, Its not what you want to hear but your best chance is to dig the up and burn them.
Best to start again and cover them with mesh,

[SimpleSimon]

SS, Its not what you want to hear but your best chance is to dig the up and burn them.
Best to start again and cover them with mesh,

Do you think my second batch of seedlings have likely been got too? I cannot see any damage on them but they were very close to the bed, about 6ft away. They are my last chance as suspect it's getting a bit late for sowing a new batch now.

[Mr Bones]

Do you think my second batch of seedlings have likely been got too? I cannot see any damage on them but they were very close to the bed, about 6ft away. They are my last chance as suspect it's getting a bit late for sowing a new batch now.

Look very closely on the leaves, the ally miner female makes straight lines of pale coloured dots as she feeds before laying eggs. The dots are about 1mm diameter.

[Jungle Jane]

You could plant a few in the tunnel & a few outside so if one lot was affected by the fly,the others stand a chance. Build a lavender wall around them to hide the scent or cover with net curtain/environmesh. I got some cheap net curtain offcuts in the range shop in colchester,there’s probably a similar shop near you,I remember the woman in the shop being curious about why I wanted it,as if I was going to be making a dress or something,that was funny because I left her guessing,if she was friendlier I would’ve said

[SimpleSimon]

I've ordered some ultra fine insect netting (0.8x0.25mm). Blooming expensive. I've only just got over having to pay £50 for my brassica net! I am determined to grow leeks successfully so got some good quality netting that will hopefully last years. Gonna have to risk the seedlings I have I guess. Fingers crossed,

[SimpleSimon]

I've lifted all my leeks now. Most of them are not badly affected so I'm going to eat them as baby leeks so not a total loss.

Found lots of the little brown grubs. Trying to understand something. Does this indicate the first cycle of egg laying is over? If so I presume any new leeks I set now will be safe until the next cycle of egg laying on sept/Oct?. I ask because whilst I have netting on order it is a PITA and ideally if I only have to put it on later in the summer.

Also, second question. I'm burning the foliage but I presume the bed will have the grubs in the soil now. Will they migrate? I'm obviously not going to use the same bed. But I have one free but it's quite close. They are both raised beds with a 2ft path seperating them. Gotta feeling I might need to and use something further away. Like the end of my plot 25m away.
Simon

[Mr Bones]

Egg laying should be over for now Simon. I wouldn't be too concerned about the next generation migrating to your other beds, it's most likely already spread in your whole area which is probably how it came to you.