[Lardman]

Every blasted year.   

Those with good memories will remember about this time every year I complain at my seemingly healthy garlic collapsing over night, well its happening again. With the exception of 2 which I assume had a bit of bulb rot they were lovely healthy plants last week.

The last couple of days they have started to yellow and die (not natural die back) I've had a post-mortem on one this morning and the main stem is jam packed with maggots/larvae heading for the bulb. No just the 1 or 2 but from tip down about a foot all lined up tip to tail. 

The camera on my blackberry is pants but see below - I'll try and get a better picture in a bit.

What are they (Allium Leaf Miner?). Why are they ? Can I nuke them?

After 4 years Im about to cut my losses with all garlic / onions, shallots and leeks (all suffer the same symptoms but Im not sure if its the same pest)

Really NOT happy.... again.

[mumofstig]

RHS site says Allium miner or leek moth dependant on identifying  which sort of maggots they are......

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=643

[Lardman]

Not good news either way really, no 'cure' for either of them.

Heres a better picture of the maggots.

[mobilekat]

I know its a bit late now, but they do seem to think fleecing can help prevent the little beggars,

or an AK47?

[mumofstig]

I know its a bit late now, but they do seem to think fleecing can help prevent the little beggars,

That, or fine environmesh, is what the RHS page suggests.

[Lardman]

I really can't justify covering everything with fleece until its harvested. The garlic grows easily to 5ft.

I think its time to stop swimming up stream and admit defeat. 

[DD.]

5' 

What variety are you growing?

[mobilekat]

Must be Elephant garlic at that height???

[Lardman]

5' 

What variety are you growing?

It music from the really garlicky company... I had debris netting at 4ft last year and had to remove it when the scapes appeared.

[DD.]

I grow exactly the same, only goes to 2' high max.

[Lardman]

I grow exactly the same, only goes to 2' high max.

Don't worry Dave - size isn't everything 

Soil to leaf tip here is currently 39", soil to neck is probably closer to your 2ft.

[DD.]

Mine are big where it counts! 

[mumofstig]

MEN!
behave you two

[Lardman]

Mine are big where it counts! 

... and don't have maggots..

behave you two

  

[bigben]

I think women who say size doesnt matter are just shallow