[sunshineband]

I have been told that this is harmless but it looks awful. I am trying to find ways of dealing with it/preventing it.

Has anyone heard of

putting petroleum jelly on the leaves?

Painting the leaves with gin/alcohol?

Please let me know as I am intrigued by these ideas, and although they may not be traditional, if used as a 'strenghtening strategy' rather than a home cure for rust, should surely be acceptabel? [If they work!]

[mumofstig]

I would think that putting vaseline on the leaves would seal the stomata and stop the leaf 'breathing' surely not a good idea  


Some suggestions from the Garden Organic fact sheet about leek rust

Correct feeding: Have a soil test done to check nitrogen and potassium levels. It seems that plants grown on soils high in nitrogen and low in potassium are more susceptible to attack by leek rust. Use only well-rotted manure (fresh is high in nitrogen). If soil potassium level is low use a seaweed dressing, or a commercial organic fertiliser known to be high in potassium.

[sunshineband]

I agree. It was Dan someone whose surname I can't remember but is a gardener with GYO (I think) allegedly who suggested it.

Amazed, but there you are.

Waiting for the rain to stop and I shall be down to the plot with my nice new box of Potassium sulphate 

[Goosegirl]

If I remember rightly from a very long time ago at school, the stomata of leaves are on the underside. Painting the upper surface with alcohol  or gin  may destroy rust spores - I don't know. I'd rather drink them!

[arugula]

If I remember rightly from a very long time ago at school, the stomata of leaves are on the underside.

I seem to remember from my school and degree courses that stomata occur on both sides of the leaf, not always in the same density depending on the type of plant and definitely in lesser quantities on the upper surface of a glossier or waxier leaf. But we digress!

I agree though, I wouldn't paint gin on them! 

[fatcat1955]

What's this? Mod's advocating unlicensed product's? Tut Tut.

[arugula]

What's this? Mod's advocating unlicensed product's? Tut Tut.

I don't think so.

if used as a 'strenghtening strategy' rather than a home cure for rust

[fatcat1955]

So glad about that .

[sunshineband]

So glad about that .

Me, I am a good girl 

[Plot74]

Gin only works if you drink enough of it then you can't see the rust.

[Yorkie]

Gin only works if you drink enough of it then you can't see the rust.

 

[sunshineband]

Gin only works if you drink enough of it then you can't see the rust.

But then I would have to walk home though, and might not remember I left the car behind, so when I woke up the next morning would think it had been stolen 

[fatcat1955]

Stop taking the car to the lottie. Another way of preventing rust.

[Salmo]

So that is why there is a bottle of gin in your shed

[Goosegirl]

I seem to remember from my school and degree courses that stomata occur on both sides of the leaf, not always in the same density depending on the type of plant and definitely in lesser quantities on the upper surface of a glossier or waxier leaf. But we digress!

I agree though, I wouldn't paint gin on them! 
[/quote]
argyllie - I bow to your better knowledge.! Perhaps we should paint sloe gin on the leaves to reduce the amount of rust!