Leek rust (Puccinia porri, or Puccinia allii) is uncommon, but a severe attack will ruin the crop. Mild symptoms do not render the crop inedible. Leek rust is different from the rust that infects chives and onions.

Appearance of leek rust:

• orange spots & blotches appear on the surface of the leaf

Causes of leek rust:

• crowded plants
• high humidity
• excessive soil nitrogen
• insufficient soil potassium
• poor garden hygiene - all plant debris must be removed from the beds so that the fungus has nowhere to hide.

Treatment of leek rust

• remove and burn diseased leaves
• there is no chemical treatment available to use in the kitchen garden

Prevention of leek rust

• do not plant the leeks too close
• rotate crops - do not grow leeks where leeks & onions were grown the previous year
• apply a potassium rich fertiliser (such as tomato feed)
• grow disease resistant varieties
• practise good garden hygiene, and keep the vegetable garden tidy

Related articles:

leek varieties

baby/mini leeks

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