Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Jay The Digger on September 27, 2010, 20:45

Title: Maggots in my Leeks.
Post by: Jay The Digger on September 27, 2010, 20:45

All my leeks are looking very sorry for themselevs.  Each plant has one or two small white maggots in them chomping through the nice tender middle I was saving for me.  They all look rather stunted now.

Am I right in thinking that they are onion fly?

Soloutions would be greatly appreciated.

Title: Re: Maggots in my Leeks.
Post by: Aunt Sally on September 27, 2010, 20:47

Sounds like leek moth.  See if I can find some info.

Title: Re: Maggots in my Leeks.
Post by: Aunt Sally on September 27, 2010, 20:49

Do they look like this ?

(http://www4.agr.gc.ca/resources/prod/img/pmc/img/1243356171595_img1.jpg)

Title: Re: Maggots in my Leeks.
Post by: Jay The Digger on September 27, 2010, 20:52

Thats the little chaps.

Title: Re: Maggots in my Leeks.
Post by: Aunt Sally on September 27, 2010, 21:03

Bad luck me dear  :(

In days gone by we would have dusted them with derris and sprayed them with bug killer but all you can do now is protect them with enviromesh if you have a problem on your site.

I've never seen it - hope I never do  ;)

Title: Re: Maggots in my Leeks.
Post by: Jay The Digger on September 27, 2010, 21:12

Next year it's under enviromesh then. 

I'll cover this years with fleece to stop the blighters getting away and infecting someone else. I'll keep the crop and keep my fingers crossed that I get at least a few.

Come on frost.  Where are you when I need you?   :happy:

Title: Re: Maggots in my Leeks.
Post by: FERDY on September 27, 2010, 21:14

I have seen this also on my leeks this year.
Spotted them a bit late & gave them a spray with bug killer.
They have gone now but my leeks look like a string vest.
I shall be more vigilant net year.

Title: Re: Maggots in my Leeks.
Post by: Elaine G on September 27, 2010, 21:54

Mine are all dead too, sadly, and my neighbours.
Looks like I will have to ask for another piece of enviromesh for Christmas  :lol:

Elanie

Oops, sorry I said the 'c' word!

Title: Re: Maggots in my Leeks.
Post by: Aunt Sally on September 27, 2010, 22:14

Quote from: FERDY on September 27, 2010, 21:14

I have seen this also on my leeks this year.
Spotted them a bit late & gave them a spray with bug killer.
They have gone now but my leeks look like a string vest.
I shall be more vigilant net year.

I can't remember off the top of my head if Bug Killer is licenced for leeks - it may be, check the label.

Title: Re: Maggots in my Leeks.
Post by: viettaclark on September 27, 2010, 22:39

Most of my leeks started looking really sick....browning leaves and floppy chomped middles so I assume it's leek moth.
I have noticed that the middles on a few are growing new bright green sprouts so I'm going to leave them all in and see what happens. Maybe the maggots haven't got too far in.
I've spent so long nurturing them I've got to hope!!

Title: Re: Maggots in my Leeks.
Post by: DD. on September 28, 2010, 05:35

They do seem to be on the increase.

I've got them this year.

Title: Re: Maggots in my Leeks.
Post by: Comfortably Numb on September 28, 2010, 07:10

Quote from: Aunt Sally on September 27, 2010, 21:03

Bad luck me dear  :(

In days gone by we would have dusted them with derris and sprayed them with bug killer but all you can do now is protect them with enviromesh if you have a problem on your site.

I've never seen it - hope I never do  ;)

If you're in Kent,  Aunty, then you can rest assured you will see them soon  :(

If you cut off most of the top growth including the bit with the caterpillar in and dispose of them, then the plants will carry on growing.