potted_plant
Leek care requirements
water
Provide 1–1.5 inches per week; consistent moisture prevents splitting and improves shaft development
soil
Deep, well-draining, fertile loam with pH 6.0–7.0; incorporate compost; hilling up soil around stems bleaches the white shaft
light
Full sun, 6–8 hours daily for optimal growth and sweetness
symptoms
Symptoms to look for in Leek
- fiber_manual_recordYellowing and wilting of foliage, especially on onions and garlic
- fiber_manual_recordFluffy white fungal growth around the base and roots
- fiber_manual_recordSmall black sclerotia embedded in the white growth and rotted bulb tissue
help
Common causes in Leek
Caused by the soil-borne fungus Sclerotium cepivorum, which can persist as sclerotia in soil for many years and is triggered into growth by chemical signals from allium roots.
healing
How to treat white rot in Leek
There is no effective treatment once plants are infected; remove and destroy affected plants and surrounding soil where practical to limit sclerotia buildup.
shield
Preventing white rot in Leek
Avoid growing alliums in known infected ground for as long as possible, use certified clean sets or seed, and avoid moving contaminated soil between growing areas.