[Stringbags]

I have patches of onion white rot on my plot, I have read that there is no way to irradicate this, but I have also heard that a wash with garlic solution fools the spores into action and then they die due to lack of food. Has anyone been successful with this or are there any other solutions to try?

[mumofstig]

Some more info on garlic drenches here
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=79223.msg891034#msg891034

Good luck with it.

[Enfield Glen]

I have white rot as well and have used Garlic powder. It does not solve the problem but does appear to give you a better crop.
I also notice a big difference on the onions planted in spring to those over wintered, Because of the warmth the spring planed ones seem to get affected before they can grow whilst the winter ones have matured to a decent size, Shallots seem to be more resistant to it, so as well as the Garlic treatment I think I might give up spring planted sets.
I have treated next years onion bed already and will give it a further treatment later.
Its a right pain as nothing looks better than a nice row of onions all growing away.

[m1ckz]

how do you use garlic powder on the plot

[mumofstig]

The link I posted tells you what to do ...

[Ivor Backache]

I was involved in that link, and I have now finally got rid of white rot, but I didn't make up any solutions.

Stick to the same piece of land . Do not reuse any compost you have made from weeds etc from the remainder of the plot. Check the onions on a very regular basis and when you detect white rot, remove the plant, dig out the soil and replace with uncontaminated compost or soil. Mark with a stick to remind yourself next year. Don't walk on the soil, use planks and plant the onions about 9"  apart so that the roots do not touch one another. This took me 4 years.

[Middlesexbloke]

Am following this with interest! So as I understand it, you apply the solution the year before you grow any alliums? I'm interested in growing garlic and I'd like to Autumn plant, so I'd need to wait until next year to plant?

[sunshineband]

Am following this with interest! So as I understand it, you apply the solution the year before you grow any alliums? I'm interested in growing garlic and I'd like to Autumn plant, so I'd need to wait until next year to plant?

Only if you have white rot problems of course