Onion Plants Not Doing Well - Ask Extension
For the last 4-5 years I have been growing onion plants that came from Dixondale Farms in TX and they have done great every year until now. This year,...
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Onion Plants Not Doing Well #254553
Asked June 16, 2015, 12:09 PM EDT
For the last 4-5 years I have been growing onion plants that came from Dixondale Farms in TX and they have done great every year until now. This year, the leaf tips on some are brown and the leaves have brown spots/lesions. The bulbs are not sizing up well, like they have done in the past. I grew them in an area where I had planted day neutral strawberries the year before. (most of those died off from disease over last summer, so I yanked them all). Could I have some sort of soil-borne disease in this row? I realize that the hot/humid weather could be taking a toll on the onions, but would like to find out for sure so it doesn't happen in the future. Thanks.
Jack Miller
Lavale, MD
Allegany County Maryland
Expert Response
The soil is not a problem. There is no relationship between the decline of the strawberries and the onions.
In general, Onions can be susceptible to several fungal and insect issues and we cannot say for sure what you are dealing with. Also, the issue may be environmental (weather) and not pathogenic.
Overall, your plants do not look that bad. They look like the bulbs are sizing up.
At this point, we recommend you continue to monitor your onions and send us additional photos if the symptoms progress. No control is necessary. See our vegetable profile on onions for more information http://extension.umd.edu/growit/vegetable-profiles-onions
mh
In general, Onions can be susceptible to several fungal and insect issues and we cannot say for sure what you are dealing with. Also, the issue may be environmental (weather) and not pathogenic.
Overall, your plants do not look that bad. They look like the bulbs are sizing up.
At this point, we recommend you continue to monitor your onions and send us additional photos if the symptoms progress. No control is necessary. See our vegetable profile on onions for more information http://extension.umd.edu/growit/vegetable-profiles-onions
mh
