Last year I picked up rust from somewhere I had ordered on the LA, and it sort of ran rampant throughout my very small garden..

I was wondering if there is a technique anyone uses when FIRST receiving the new plants to rid the plants of possible rust? (cut the leaves lower, dip in a light bleach solution before planting)

Thanks so Much!!

Having someone send me rust still upsets me. If more people weren't ambivalent about rust, maybe we wouldn't have to deal with it.

Anyway, the procedure I've seen recommended and think it works well is to strip the outer two leaves on each side of each fan, then cut the remaining leaves off down just into the white portion. About a half inch above the crown. You can soak the plant in a 5% bleach solution if you wish, won't hurt. I follow with a soak in 1/2 teaspoon SuperThrive in 3 gals of water.

Then pot up or plant in a spot isolated from your main garden. Monitor the plant through a rust period or about six months minimum before introducing it to your garden.
If it develops rust, repeat the procedure. Link to AHS Rust Page below for additional information.

Good luck, Ed

I will definitely try that this year! I love the LA something fierce (My fingers always seem to type the address and my checkbook starts whimpering) and I didn't want to let it discourage me.. but I didn't want to share plants with friends if I was going to give them rust as a little "surprise gift" . So I was hoping to catch it early, JUSt in case. :)

I cut everything WAAAY down and cleared out all the leaves after a very cold spell, so I'm hoping that will discourage it from returning.