Garlic- Rust.

[Richard Eldritch]

Is Rust terminal? Got a some on my over winter Garlic. What are the implications? Will they continue to grow? Is there a "cure"?
Cheers never had it before....

[taff]

I get some every year, it depends how bad it is. I haven't found it terminal yet though...I haven't got any getting rid of it advice, but I'm sure someone else will be along soon

[Richard Eldritch]

I get some every year, it depends how bad it is. I haven't found it terminal yet though...I haven't got any getting rid of it advice, but I'm sure someone else will be along soon

Thanks Taff. It isn't too bad ...YET. I'ma bit gutted really as the stems are really thick and I was anticipating some humungous bulbs.....

[Shadylane]

I have it every year and it's never been a problem.

[Mr Bones]

I get it every year too. Apparently lower nitrogen levels in the soil is said to help keep it at bay and increasing potassium (e.g. feeding occasionally with comfrey tea) can help also. If the rust gets too much of a hold it'll prevent the garlic forming bulbs and you'll end up with leek shaped garlic which needs using wet.

[Richard Eldritch]

I get it every year too. Apparently lower nitrogen levels in the soil is said to help keep it at bay and increasing potassium (e.g. feeding occasionally with comfrey tea) can help also. If the rust gets too much of a hold it'll prevent the garlic forming bulbs and you'll end up with leek shaped garlic which needs using wet.

Thankee Bones. It isn't too bad so far and I've snipped off the few old leaves it was on. I'm going to try the cheap gin spray. I think they're almost ready as the stems are two thumbs thick.

[Shadylane]

I'd wait a bit longer before harvesting. Garlic isn't usually ready until July. You could always have a furtle in the soil to see how big the bulb is before digging it up.

[Richard Eldritch]

I'd wait a bit longer before harvesting. Garlic isn't usually ready until July. You could always have a furtle in the soil to see how big the bulb is before digging it up.

Yeah I'm leaving them till they keel over......It ain't to bad, and I get to share the gin.

[Shadylane]

Actually I think you're supposed to harvest them just before they flop. I've often done that (waited until they flop) and have found that some start to split - which means they don't store. I read somewhere last year that waiting that long is a mistake and to harvest when the leaves are fading. Or something

[WeedItAndReap]

I've got some thick stems too - is this a sign that the bulbs/cloves will be big? Or does it mean all the energy has gone into producing the stem/leaves? Or neither

[Shadylane]

In my experience, thick stems mean decent size bulb and tiny stems mean puny bulbs, so I think you have good reason to be optimistic

[Snadger]

Vaseline is not a cure, but rubbed on the affected leaves will stop it spreading.

Works with leeks anyway!

[Richard Eldritch]

Actually I think you're supposed to harvest them just before they flop. I've often done that (waited until they flop) and have found that some start to split - which means they don't store. I read somewhere last year that waiting that long is a mistake and to harvest when the leaves are fading. Or something

I'll have a rumage end in a month or two.

[Richard Eldritch]

Vaseline is not a cure, but rubbed on the affected leaves will stop it spreading.

Works with leeks anyway!

Great I'll try that. cheers man.