What's eating my onion leaves?

Griffo · « **on:** May 17, 2008, 20:33 »

I have a good bed of onions coming along nicely (started the sets off in trays of compost before planting out) but have noticed some of the leaves are being eaten.

The damage runs up the length of the leaf, almost as if it has been chewed in half (lengthwise).

Has anyone any idea what might be doing this please?

dereklane · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2008, 20:38 »

I had that on one seed-grown onion I was inspecting today - I think its slugs, since my leeks occassionally get it too (but the leaves being so wide, the slugs are still there in the morning, hiding in the crook).

That said, I've only seen slugs on my leeks in winter. Summer they seem to prefer other green plants not so oniony.

gobs · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2008, 21:10 »

Piccie, please. Hard to know what you mean, is the leaf cut open or not? Etc.

If not, could check out onion fly, leek moth and there also is a third fellow about as of resent , the name I can't remember, I think that one is notifiable.

Also, can only be hail, wind, rain damage, hard to say without seeing. :?

If open , can be anybody chewing, pecking... or just split.

Griffo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 18, 2008, 10:41 »

Have a few shots but no idea how to put them up here??

Griffo · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2008, 12:49 »

Here's the photos:-

gobs · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2008, 20:32 »

I've never had such damage, so hold out for someone in the know of certain, but that's some bird or possibly, just possibly slug damage, if there is nought else for them to eat.

love-my-plot · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2008, 21:47 »

I had the same damage on onions in the garden last year. It was slugs ... sometimes they were still in there, other times just their slime! yuk!!! Hate them!

DeadlyNightshade · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2008, 23:23 »

Guaranteed slugs, I've one single Shallot plant at the compost heap where they are doing the same damage... I only knew the culprits since I'm going out slug hunting at dark... there might be sitting 10 slugs every night on that single plant (and those are only the ones that I get during my half an hour killing spree!!)

Griffo · « **Reply #8 on:** May 19, 2008, 09:32 »

Thanks folks - war it is then! Is there anything they won't eat??

Sadgit · « **Reply #9 on:** May 19, 2008, 09:36 »

rabbits also like to nibble on them.. see it with my own eyes last year

Griffo · « **Reply #10 on:** May 19, 2008, 20:33 »

we are plagued with rabbits as well but my veg plot is fully fenced!

gobs · « **Reply #11 on:** May 19, 2008, 20:44 »

Quote from: "Griffo"

Thanks folks - war it is then! Is there anything they won't eat??

They don't actually like onions.

Hence I said possibly. Try to keep the garden filled, with all sorts, and use green manure on parts not in cultivation, a lot less damage you will get on one crop.

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