Perhaps this should be in pests and diseases?
Why this year are the outter leaves of my leeks all slimey? Not happened to me before, fine when you take of the outer gunge though. DP
Could it be a cobination of the damp and then hard frosts. Know they are hardy, but suppose even they can weaken. Pulled one yesterday and the same thing, but it was ok after peeling the outer skins.
Is the slime brownish, and have the roots rotted off a bit. If so it could be white rot (mouldy nose).
Mine are like this I just put it down to the frost and the ouside leaf rotting back - doesnt effect the leek so wasnt bothered
Mine are the same. It is the first time I have ever grown Leeks so I thought this was normal.
Me too. Ate them anyway. :)
Glad it is not just me! Was curious really, no I haven't got mouldy nose Keef! :o :o ;D But a good suggestion. Guess it is the weather then. DP
I always thought leeks were hardy and unaffected by frost,not so it seems cos mine are the same.
Just wonder if anyone has found a variety that does stand up to severe frost. ::)
Alan
I had two beds of leeks; one lot went slimy and nasty immediately after the hard frosts; some were usable, some weren't. The other lot were unaffected. They were anonymous plants bought from a market stall; as far as I know they were all the same variety.
it seems an inherant problem I have as well does not seem to affect the insides though
Cheers
I have noticed this when lifting them sometimes, I just end up with a handful of slime as my hand slips off ... however, the leeks seem and taste ok, so I have just accepted it as one of the features of the plant ...
On the plus side when covered in cheese sauce and a sprinkling of roasted almonds they're pretty slimy anyway.
Like I said earlier mine were all slimy but like Roberts I had a few of a different variety given to me (Musselborough) that stayed bone dry, these however had a much coarser leaf texture.
The Musselborough were twice the size so I've ordered these for next year.
I think the only problem is that if you try pulling them out they slip through your hand and you can fall backwards!
;D ;D ;D Glow, yet another gardening hazard ;D ;D
Watched on "The Allotment" the other night, someone else had the same problem, apparently their is a leek moth that can make leeks go slimy, the man reccomended using fleece to stop the attacks, its on discovery real time between 5am and 8am every morning, worth videoing if you have sky as there are loads of tips etc. hope this helps.
Quote from: glow777 on January 12, 2006, 09:01:20
I think the only problem is that if you try pulling them out they slip through your hand and you can fall backwards!
I always tend to loosen mine with a fork first, having fallen over myself ...