Leek seedlings again!!!

[slippy fly]

I have sown some leek seeds into modules and thinned out to one seedling per module.They are now about 4 inches high and fairly thin, having just read another post I am wondering do I leave them in these modules until they are pencil thick or do i plant them out as they are ??? ?The modules are about 2" by 2"and 2" deep.

[slippy fly]

[teresa]

Hi,
You could plant out if space inside is a problem,
in a drill  along side each other and dig up and replant when pencil thick.
As I have said in another thread.
Or leave in the cells.
In the ground I think you get a better root system but that is only my idea.

[redimp]

Doesn't really matter about the roots as leek don't mind having them all cut off - they grow new ones.  There was a debate on here last year about whether you should cut them off or not so I did half and it di not make the slightest bit of difference to the final result.  The trimmed ones were easier to get further down the hole though so I will trim them all this year.

[TEL]

I always sow mine straight in the ground there up to 2" after about 3 weeks ish
but a row 4 meters long may be to many ???

[Hot_Potato]

Up til today, I've had my tray of leek seedlings which have germinated fairly well - one side of the tray better than the other side tho - dunno why  ???....but have today brought them outside and stood them on my patio table until such time as I have the room & they're big enough to plant out.

Having read on another thread about the much lower temperatures that are forecast over next few days or next week....will they really be ok?

never grown them before so a bit anxious.

btw - can I plant one or two in a tall but fairly wide pot for on my patio?...how many should I plant per pot of about 10" diam by 10" high please and do I fill the pot up with compost then just plant seedlings into it as if into the ground in the normal way......I don't 'earth' them up do I?

would appreciate some advice - H.P.

[Hot_Potato]

ooops - missed a bit out  :-[....it should have read that up til today - they'd been in the greenhouse..... ::)

[supersprout]

Leeks are tough little chaps, they should be fine HP.
Tel, I grow about 300 each year for the two of us - two beds full! ;D

[MollyBloom]

I usually sow a small tray in the greenhouse in February, then when they're about 2" tall I prick them out, 4 to a 3" pot. When I have room in the garden I plant out the whole pot so I can harvest 4 leeks at a time. They don't seem to mind being crowded, in fact it seems to help with blanching when they're grown close together from the start. But as TEL says, they will germinate OK if you sow them direct outside in a seedbed. Don't throw away the thinnings but plant them up in a second row, they'll usually be happy as larry.

[tim]

I got bored last year & put mine out when they were thin like chives. No problem. Once again - succession is the word!

[tricia]

I got bored last year & put mine out when they were thin like chives. No problem. Once again - succession is the word!

Glad to hear that Tim. I did the same thing last week and they seem to be growing well. The holes soon filled in though so I hope they won't mind! At least they've finally had a good soaking from above!

Tricia

[ACE]

but a row 4 meters long may be to many

You can never have too many leeks, I start pulling them when they are like spring onions and just keep cropping them for as long as possible. Then cut the big-uns for the freezer.

Tough little beggers that they are, sometimes I have left them in till they are used up.