Yet more questions about garlic and such

[CimaDirapa]

My first question, can I replant undeveloped garlic bulbs for next year's crop? (that were stopped growing due to heavy rust this year).

Basically the early variety's did really well but the mid season ones are too small to be used so me thinking to leave them in the ground.


My second question, is rust a virus?

In my book it said to buy virus free certified stock (which I did from Tucker's seeds) and not to use the shop bought one (I ignored this directive). It's maybe the 2012 wet and dark spring but the Chinese garlic from Lidl at 0.70 for five bulbs is going strong with no rust while all the fancy French/Spanish verities at £1.5 per bulb have had it with rust (all the leaves were dry) and needed early pulling.


My third question is about Elephant Garlic,I noticed that the base of these monsters started to split open, is this due to all the wetness around?

[SarzWix]

I don't think I'd be inclined to leave anything in the ground that has had rust, because that would seem likely to carry the spores over to the next season. If the bulbs haven't split, they can still be used, I had some last year that just stayed as tiny little bulbs, but I just used each one in place of 2 cloves, and they were very pungent and tasty

More info on rust here: Leek rust / Royal Horticultural Society

[VirginVegGrower]

Thanks for the above Sarz. All mine from IoW garlic farm got it this year, but I did use my own chicken poo compost. Rookie mistake!

[horticultural_hobbit]

Fair few of mine have rusty spots. Still reasonably sized. Hoping to pull up everything anyway over the next few weeks. All of my garlic is standing to attention like a legion of sentries.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Rust is a fungus rather than a virus, hence why it thrives in moist warm conditions like we've had recently. I wouldn't be inclined to try and replant these. You'll also find that any affected bulbs you harvest for eating may not store as well. Probably not a great idea to compost the rusty leaves either.

[Jelliebabe]

Mine all has rust to varying degrees - but I have left it to grow on. What I do find interesting is some of it has some sort of rot and is in fact rotten (pulled and disposed of) but some rows are okay. I did get a variety packet from T&M I think and had about 10 varieties (lost track as I was planting) so I can only guess that some of the varieties are more susceptable tot his rot than others. they all grew so well to start with.... I have pulled on good looking one today and its in the 4tba to dry! fingers crossed!

[cazp]

Thanks for the above Sarz. All mine from IoW garlic farm got it this year, but I did use my own chicken poo compost. Rookie mistake!

Out of interest how would the chicken poo compost cause rust?

This is just for future reference as I love garlic and want to continue growing it, so far this year it's been ok but want to make a mental note of what I need to avoid to prevent rust Thanks...

[SarzWix]

Chicken poo is high nitrogen, which promotes leafy growth, but the extra leafy growth is often 'soft' (not tough) and so potentially more susceptible to attack by aphids and fungal diseases.