Kitchen Garden Forum

I have grown leeks for years with no problem but for the last 2 years I have lost my entire crop to, what I'm fairly sure, is leek moth. Is it just me or what?

Hi Sylvie,

I'm afraid not. You don't mention where you are, but here on the south coast, leek moth has been a problem for about 3 -4 years now. I actually bought some enviromesh to cover my plants with this year, as I was fed up with losing a large amount of the crop and what was left being feeble and raggedy.
As far as I'm aware (Beryl will probably know more on this than me), there is no chemical/organic treatment for it and a physical barrier is the only option.
Best wishes,
Vivien

vivienz wrote:Hi Sylvie,

I'm afraid not. You don't mention where you are, but here on the south coast, leek moth has been a problem for about 3 -4 years now. I actually bought some enviromesh to cover my plants with this year, as I was fed up with losing a large amount of the crop and what was left being feeble and raggedy.
As far as I'm aware (Beryl will probably know more on this than me), there is no chemical/organic treatment for it and a physical barrier is the only option.
Best wishes,
Vivien

Thanks Vivien, I live in Somerset which isn't too far away. I'll certainly try a barrier next year. Sylvie

Hi Sylvie,
I think John said, quite recently, that the Leek Moth had reached Gloucestershire so Somerset is in about the same radius from Portsmouth where Beryl reported them several years back.
In Herefordshire, or at least my part, thankfully they are still unknown although the county borders Gloucestershire.
I feel that exclusion is probably the only method to keep them at bay.
I have no idea how big the moths are. Perhaps somebody might let us all know and then we can buy the required netting.
JB.

Johnboy

Perhaps this will help.

Thankyou all for your replies, it's good to no I'm not alone!!

My leeks are just not growing at all dont know anything about leek moths, but the last two years I have very poor yields with leeks. I dont know if it is too wet or what but they are still looking like they are not growing. Only one or two in about one hundred are showing any hope.

Yes, I have had very good results from growing under fleece. They do need to be covered right from the planting out stage though. The only drawback is obviously earthing up so I do pot on into 3" pots before planting out with a trowel as deep as possible to avoid this. And I have found the fleece tends to draw them up so I am now looking for varieties that are more stumpy in growth.

Beryl.

Thank you Alan for the information. I was wondering what mesh size of net covering will be the right one.
Beryl,
I suspect that if you were to grow under netting rather than fleece the stretching would probably not occur. With netting you get very little light restriction and certainly better ventilation.
JB.

Hi all,

We've certainly got leek moth here on Romney Marsh. I grew some Carlton earlies, which weren't affected, and have cropped well, but sadly almost all gone , but the Musselburgh which got planted out in two batches, have been hit badly. What with that and an attack of rust as well, some are looking very poorly. I noticed some today that have rotted from the centre.
I'll grow a lot more Carlton next year I think.

Enviromesh is the only other one I have had good results with. Even a fine netting the little ...... get through.

Beryl.

Good grief, is this another pain to bear?
Had a couple of rotten plants but not aware of this new pest?