disappearing leeks?

[Crystalmoon]

Hi everyone, I have my leeks in a raised nursery bed at my allotment. They are covered with a pvc poly tunnel & each leek has a toilet roll inner around them to protect them as they grow & i weed etc. Every couple of weeks a few are going missing completely  ???
Have no idea what could be getting at them. No sign of slugs. Other things in the same bed like coriander, basil & nastutiums not being affected at all. Last time I was weedeing in warm dry weather I did see quite a few ants in and around the bed....could the ants be eating my leeks?

[Crystalmoon]

[Tee Gee]

I think you have coddled them too much.

You don't mention what size they are but if they are seedling my guess is the have damped off through being too warm, wet & lacking ventilation.

Apart from exhibition leeks I think it is best to grow leeks outdoors.

[PurpleHeather]

I do agree with that reply, almost everything that will 'overwinter' seems to be happier in cooler conditions, especially at this time of year when it can get pretty hot under cover when the sun shines.

[caroline7758]

I planted mine out without any protection and quite a few disappeared. i reckon either the wind blew them out of the holes (I used the drop 'em inand water method) or birdshave taken them.Have sown some more in the hope it's not too late.

[Crystalmoon]

Thanks for your replies.  Yes I think I have probably killed them with kindness  :'(
I will remove the pvc tunnel today & leave what remains to fend for themselves. Next year I wil do things differently...have learnt alot of lessons from this first rather disasterous attempt at growing leeks
::) my first big mistake was to sow them in small fibre pots  :-[ I will look into getting much longer pots for next year

[manicscousers]

we use rootrainers, or toilet roll inners, or paper pots, you can make them as long as you like  :)

[Crystalmoon]

I tried to modify the tiny fibre pots by adding toilet roll insides on top  ::) but made the mistake of filling with soil up to near the top of the baby leeks  :-[
Really made a mess of growing them this year   

[manicscousers]

I'm going to try growing some more, I've a few spaces, may not get too big but, have you seen the price of baby leeks  :o ;D

[Crystalmoon]

You've got a good point there, yes baby leeks are mega expensive...think I will do the same as you & try to grow some more. Thanks so much for the encouragement...the weather, slugs & my own mistakes have been gettiong me down abit  ;)

[manicscousers]

I'm 55 and been making mistakes all my life, look at it this way, you've only lost some seed and may start a new fashion in baby veg  ;D

[Crystalmoon]

Thanks Manicscousers  ;D