Leek questions!!

[Duke Ellington]

I have seen some people put cut drain pipes around their leeks. Would someone explain this process to me. Do you still plant in the same way ...six inches deep? Puddle with water then put the pipe over the leek ??
Does this mean you dont have to earth up the leek ?
Duke :)

[Duke Ellington]

[Chris Graham]

I'm attempting this with toilet rolls, not sure it'll blanch them more but sure helps them grow stronger.

[Duke Ellington]

Thanks Chris but do you plant in the usual way...six inches deep...fill with water ....and then place the tubes over the top??

Duke

[morton]

I'm attempting this with toilet rolls, not sure it'll blanch them more but sure helps them grow stronger.

They should also have clean bottoms as well.

[tim]

What perfection, Chris!

[saddad]

In answer to your question Duke, yes... but be careful if the Tube doesn't have a cut along the length (drainpipe) and the leek grows well it will fill all the collar and be impossible to remove!!
:-[

[Chris Graham]

Thanks Chris but do you plant in the usual way...six inches deep...fill with water ....and then place the tubes over the top??

Duke

yup

[Chris Graham]

I'm attempting this with toilet rolls, not sure it'll blanch them more but sure helps them grow stronger.

They should also have clean bottoms as well.

I would hope so!  ;)

[Chris Graham]

What perfection, Chris!

Thanks Tim, I try.....though this time i will leave the leeks to grow on over winter.

[davyw1]

There are three different types of leek, Pot, Blanched ( Intermediate ) and Long Leek.
The pot leek is the one which we all tend to grow and usually grows about six inches from the ground to the button ( where the lowest flags V ) they are not bread to be blanched.
If you are trying to blanch a pot leek then the chances are you will end up with a tall thin leek as you you are forcing it toward the light and not allowing it to flatten out.. This does not mean that you cant improve on the length of your leek.
Toilet rolls are not really suitable neither is drain pipe, what you really need is something wider like stand pipe, damp course or the tubing that carpets are wrapped in.
What i would suggest call in at a carpet shop and ask for a length of tubing, i think you will find that they are only to willing to give it to you. ( take a saw to cut it into lengths if you are using the car )
The first step is to let your leeks fatten out before you collar them, leeks improve on their girth during the long days of light and increase in height as the daylight hour shorten. So only when you have got the girth apply the collar to get the length.

[Tee Gee]

Couldn't have put it better myself Dave.

I think what often adds to the confusion is the information on the seed packet or should I say lack of it.

As a rule of thumb I would say that any variety that is ready for harvesting by say late autumn can often be blanched in the manner suggested.

Leeks for overwintering out doors are generally of the 'pot leek' variety so it is better not to blanch these otherwise as Dave says they will grow tall with the possibility of being blown over in the rough weather we can get through the winter.

With 'Show Leeks' well thats another story!

[Duke Ellington]

Now I am confused ~ how do I know if a leek is a pot blanched or long? Mine are called Musselburgh.

Duke

[davyw1]

Now I am confused ~ how do I know if a leek is a pot blanched or long? Mine are called Musselburgh.

Duke

DUKE They are an ordinary Pot Leek

[Tee Gee]

That is an overwintering 'pot' type and does not require sowing as early as some.

I sowed mine 26th March, they took 5 days to germinate. I pricked them out into 3" pots on 22nd April and planted out on the 16th June.

I don't expect to be eating them until December onwards but that again this is why I choose this variety as it stands all winter so I always have some fresh veg during the winter months.

BTW I don't follow the rule of dibbing them in I don't see the point when I get leeks like these;



i.e. I prefer a thicker stem at the expense of length and if your maths are up to it this gives you more leek for your money.

Then you can add a few sprouts and a Savoy to the collection as can be seen here;



I hope that helps

[grawrc]

Oh my! Good enough to turn me vegetarian TeeGee!

[Duke Ellington]

Thanks everyone for your answers you have all cleared my leek problem up for me!!

Duke

[Tyke]

from what i've read, the thicker the leeks are, the blander and less flavour they have. Only growing them for 1st time this year though - and nad dibbed them all.