What is hurting my hard neck garlic? - Ask Extension
I want to know what is hurting my garlic, usually a successful plant and harvest for me. Will I be able to harvest them? Will I need to discard them...
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What is hurting my hard neck garlic? #876120
Asked July 06, 2024, 3:10 PM EDT
I want to know what is hurting my garlic, usually a successful plant and harvest for me. Will I be able to harvest them? Will I need to discard them, and/or remove the soil?I noticed the scapes seemed withered and malformed when they emerged. When examined, they seemed to be chewed, and some had white bits of material on them, like sticky sand. Info from the worksheet: planted 11/23, emerged from ground 4/24. Some leaves are yellowed, scapes seem chewed and misshapen. The plants don’t look robust anymore. 1st noticed this approx. 3 wks ago. Soil has good drainage, water only when dry. Conditions have been mainly hot, with both dry and wet periods. Light conditions are some sun, with an overhanging evergreen tree, lots of cones in the garlic bed. VT compost plus is used as a dressing in Nov and early May. I think there are insects, can’t see them. Lots of the invasive soft shelled snails on the leaves.
Caledonia County Vermont
Expert Response
Hi Janet,
It looks like you have onion/leek moth damage that is fairly advanced. There's not much you can do about it this year. Be sure to clean all debris from the soil. Plant your garlic in a different location next year and protect the plants with row covers so the moths are not able to get to the plants. Here are a links to a couple of articles/fact sheets that will provide you with information about the onion/leek moth.
https://www.uvm.edu/extension/leek-moth-information-center
https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2024/05/leek-moth-nh
I've had them and they are a challenge to control.
It looks like you have onion/leek moth damage that is fairly advanced. There's not much you can do about it this year. Be sure to clean all debris from the soil. Plant your garlic in a different location next year and protect the plants with row covers so the moths are not able to get to the plants. Here are a links to a couple of articles/fact sheets that will provide you with information about the onion/leek moth.
https://www.uvm.edu/extension/leek-moth-information-center
https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2024/05/leek-moth-nh
I've had them and they are a challenge to control.
Thank you for your response. I’m hoping I understand completely. What is the best way to dispose of the plants and debris?
Thanks again, Janet
Hi Janet
Dispose of it as trash so you eliminate as many eggs and larvae as possible.
Dispose of it as trash so you eliminate as many eggs and larvae as possible.
Thank you. I saw one option was to burn them, but there are too many trees!
By the way, when should I put on row cover? When the plants first emerge?
You’ve been a great help.
Janet
Hi Janet,
Yes, place the row covers as soon as the plants emerge. Do not plant your garlic where any other plants in the allium family were planted in the past 2-3 years. Try to keep alliums together for easier rotation (garlic, onions, scallions, leeks).
Yes, place the row covers as soon as the plants emerge. Do not plant your garlic where any other plants in the allium family were planted in the past 2-3 years. Try to keep alliums together for easier rotation (garlic, onions, scallions, leeks).
I hope you don’t mind my additional questions. I have chives that have naturalized over the years near the infested bed. I haven’t seen them with any problems, but would it be smart to get rid of them, as well? Or aren’t they attractive to the leek moth?
Thanks again, you are wonderful.
Janet
Hi Janet,
Chives and garlic chives don't seem to be a problem with the onion/leek moth. I did have damage on an Egyptian walking stick, also in the allium family.
Chives and garlic chives don't seem to be a problem with the onion/leek moth. I did have damage on an Egyptian walking stick, also in the allium family.
Thank you for letting me know. Some good news, at least!
Janet
