Never seen any rust like you describe on my garlic here in Eastern
Ontario and I hope I never do. Sounds like the rust is thriving in cool,
humid climate. You could consider spraying the plants with a weak solution
of elemental sulphur. This should drop the Ph to a level unsuitable for the
rust to thrive. It might be a little too late for this year. Garlic, like
humans are susceptible to viral and other types of diseases. The strongest
defense is to grow vigorous, healthy plants. Garlic really likes phosphorus
so add extra next time and do not plant in the same spot for a few years. I
have had excellent results with two year old, vintage chicken shit compost.

Farmer John

"Colin Malsingh" wrote in message
...
After years of growing garlic without problems, I'm having problems
with Rust in my first year in an allotment in the UK.

I planted three varieties in October last year next to some Shallots &
other usual allotment stuff. The "Ivory" variety has had a bad
covering of rust for several weeks - plants encrusted with
yellow/orange, plants quite thick and tall but not much sign of the
bulb forming. The "Vitesse" has been slower to get affected, but the
bulbs are much further advanced. Finally, neither the Elephant garlic
or Shallots show any sign of rust.

Can anyone help with the following:

(1) I reckon the Vitesse will probably yield some useable bulbs soon,
but the Ivory will need longer. Is there any harm in leaving these in
the ground or should I get them out as soon as possible?

(2) Checking other sites gives conflicting advice about the other
crops that can be affected. Some say that Leeks and Shallots are also
vulnerable - others say they aren't (I'm afraid I haven't identified
which type of Rust I've got...)

I'm about to plant some leeks not very far away - are they likely to
be infected too?

(3) Are there any reliable ways of preventing this in future years?
It's never affected me before, but I see commercial growers in the US
get hit quite a bit. How do European growers manage (or do they
plaster theirs with chemicals?)?

If you've read this far, thanks in anticipation....
Colin
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Replace the obvious with Bigfoot