Onion Root Rot

Earlier this year I noticed that some of my red onions (Red Baron) were laying on their side, as if they'd been knocked over, whilst the remainder were upright and proud. On investigation - and with the advice of the more experienced gardeners, I discovered that they had white root rot. Following advice, I lifted all the onions and separated good from bad, burning the bad and eating the good.

After some more investigation I discovered that this white root rot is a proper little (insert expletive here), and that I can't grow any of the onion family on the same space for at least eight years. I then researched the RHS website, and now feel totally despondent, especially as I did that AFTER having planted this year's winter onions, garlic, and leek on another bed.

It evolves that this white root rot is a spore of some sort, laying dormant in the ground until it senses a member of the onion family, and then it activates itself. Not only that, but the RHS inform me that it can be transmitted by your boots and tools to other areas of you garden. So now I'm wondering what will become of my winter plantings; have I inadvertently transferred the spores to that bed at some point?

Any comments, tips, advice would be highly appreciated!

This method may be worth a try.....

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=79223.msg891034#msg891034

Not Onion White Rot if they don't get white fluffy mould on the bottom which kills the roots off too early.

Storage rot usually starts from the top, Onion Neck Rot

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=747

Many thanks for that Mumofstig. I feel slightly better about my prospects now.