[chillimummy]

a few of my leeks have brown patches on them and allotment neighbour said few of us have rust on our leeks.
does this mean they wont last through the winter as they are not huge so would like them to have time to grow bigger? 

[Eightball]

tbh I wouldn't worry too much about it and just harvest the worst effected ones first. I had it on most of my garlic and still got a really good crop.

Here is an article all about leek rust. http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=214

[gobs]

I'd agree, they shall be fine, just some foliage to lose before cooking.

[arugula]

Especially if you are going to persist with leaving the leeks in the ground, make sure you don't plant other alliums - such as your autumn planted garlic - in the same beds next year or even adjacent, or they are likely to become affected too.

[chillimummy]

thanks everyone. planted quite a lot and was so pleased that they were developing well. good to know not lost my crop 

[skirrid]

Hi, we had really severe rust on our garlics last year but bought garlic for planting from the Garlic Farm on the Isle of Wight this season and they recommended top-dressing with Sulphate of Potash once leaves are up... we did that this year and no rust at all (but of course it was a much drier year!).  We'll try the Sulphate of Potash trick again though, may be a good preventative.

[sunshineband]

Snap there skirrid. I was about to post to say try Sulphate of Potash watered on.

Did the trick with my leeks last year and this year they will be getting  a dose prior to the rust appearing and hope it helps avoid it altogether 

[mumofstig]

I never knew that - I'll add it to my notebook for next year. Thank you very much for the info 

[chillimummy]

Good to know that for next year for leeks. Also ready to plant my garlic so will use for it for that.
Thanks

[gypsy]

Snap there skirrid. I was about to post to say try Sulphate of Potash watered on.

Did the trick with my leeks last year and this year they will be getting  a dose prior to the rust appearing and hope it helps avoid it altogether 

How much sulphate of potash do you put to 5 litres of water? My leeks always get a bit of rust so it may be worth a try. thanks for info.