floppy leeks...?

[Karen Atkinson]

sowed leek seeds about a month ago..they germinated but now look like long grass...in fact, they've grown too tall (about 3") that they ve flopped over the side of the plant pot. I'd expeted them to grow straight up. So the questions is...what have I done wrong?   and now what shall I do with them. They really are very very thin blades of grass like stems.

[Karen Atkinson]

[Ben Acre]

Not sown or transplanted deep enough.

[Karen Atkinson]

is it too late to save them?

[Ben Acre]

No just re plant them deeper and water.

[Karen Atkinson]

ok will do. Thanks

[Robert_Brenchley]

It's not too late at all; I haven't planted mine out yet. Dib holes, shove them in deep, and if they don't want to go, trim the roots and leaves. You only need a little leaf sticking out of the top of the hole. I use a crowbar as my standard dibber doesn't make a big enough hole.

[PeterVV]

I know a lot of people trim the roots and leaves, but I wouldnt advocate trimming roots, just the leaves.

[cornykev]

I always trim the roots.   ???

[green lily]

My leeks are ready to transplant but I was hoping for some rain first. I've grown them in a biggish icecream container to give them depth. I trim the bottom tips of the roots. I think it helps them to tiller but don't be too ruthless. Finger tip job. Seems to work for me. Puddle them in well with a bit of chicken manure.... :)
For the first time I'm saving my own seed from 2 I've kept over from last year  Big flower buds but no flowers yet.. Some leeks give bulbils but I've no idea what these  2 will do..

[Robert_Brenchley]

I only trim roots if they're too big to drop down the hole.

[Karen Atkinson]

How deep do you have to plant them? How much of thetop should be showing? Is it okay to plant out just blades of grass then..as this is what they ressemble?

[PeterVV]

depends how big they are when you dib them in, 4 - 6 inch deep hole, drop them in and fill the hole with water, no need to fill with soil , let the water do it.

[aj]

If you are unsure, just plant the whole pot of them [minus the pot itself] in a corner somewhere in your borders/beds; about 3 inches deeper than they already are and water them in. Once you get space to put them in their final position, dig them up and put them where they will sit for autumn/winter. They will carry on growing in the meantime.