[Brassica Blaz]

oh no !! , ive got rust on my leeks.!! its my first year of growing them and they were coming on great.but ive just noticed bits of rust on them,there about 15inches tall and 1 inch thick.will it get worse? will i have to harvest them now? i wanted them to last me through the winter.ive put it down to all the wet weather weve had.can anyone tell me all is not lost?

[bayleaf]

I don't think all is lost. I had the same problem on my leeks last year. It is a bit early in the year for rust. I suppose a severe attack at this time of the year could spell trouble. How bad is it? Any chance of a picture? Mine had it in October but then again I did plant them quite late and they were a mid winter variety. They got it when they were about the same size as yours. However although the rust looks a bit unsightly it didn't affect the taste and you just peel off the outer layers when you lift your leeks. Don't grow leeks or onions in the bit of ground your leeks are currently in next year though.

[Lee G]

I think there are 2 things that should/could help.  Firstly a feed high in potassium (you'll need to check that out though, it could be Nitrogen), secondly, harvest alternate leeks when they are baby sized to give the over wintering ones more space. 

I had a problem with rust last year and I'm sure this is what I was advised to do, as my leeks are rubbish this year I don't think I'll have this issue.

[Brassica Blaz]

phew thanks guys, i think i'll just leave them to get on with it then, thin them out a bit and give em some potassium feed and see how they go.thinking about it now i dont suppose it will affect the white part of the leek? but i also wondered if it will stunt their growth at all? thanks . 

[Orchid]

I've had this problem before, do not grow leeks on the same ground next time and look for your next lot of leek seeds that are resistant to rust.  I haven't had any problems since doing this.

Orchid

[Motivator]

Give them some comfrey tea should help.

[Salmo]

Dithane, as used for potato blight, will stop rust spreading on leeks.