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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: petefj on December 31, 2012, 08:31:38

Title: Very poor leeks
Post by: petefj on December 31, 2012, 08:31:38
Here in Cornwall with our normal climate of wet and sunshine, I can grow good leeks.  I'm not boasting just stating facts.

This year they are appalling.   Pencil thin and stunted.  I sowed them at the normal time, transplanted them at the normal time  into well prepared and manured ground, and they look like they do now, rubbish.

Anyone else in the same boat?

Peter
Title: Re: Very poor leeks
Post by: caroline7758 on December 31, 2012, 10:03:15
yep, mine are rubbish as well. :(
Title: Re: Very poor leeks
Post by: bluecar on December 31, 2012, 11:17:48
Mine are not quite as bad as that, but nowhere near the size I would normally have. Does anyone know if we have a mild winter, will they develop any further?

Regards

Bluecar
Title: Re: Very poor leeks
Post by: winecap on December 31, 2012, 11:24:31
Mine are rubbish too. I need 4 or 5 for a portion, but I've noticed they are already bulbing up at the bottom and some even ran to seed before winter, so very little chance of them growing any bigger in the spring. Somebody on our site told me all his had already run to seed, so I guess I should be happy with what I've got.
Title: Re: Very poor leeks
Post by: manicscousers on December 31, 2012, 14:26:51
very unhappy with ours, I'm glad to know it's not something I did  :happy7:
Title: Re: Very poor leeks
Post by: kt. on December 31, 2012, 16:29:54
  Better to have small leeks than none at all even if you need 6-7 to make a meal. My leeks are not as big as usual but are still what I would consider a fair size and edible.  I have been harvesting the fattest and largest, working my way down in size. 
Title: Re: Very poor leeks
Post by: Pescador on December 31, 2012, 18:07:54
Poor growth, bolting and leek moth, yet my neighbour has some lovely specimens, (still got moth damage, but good growth)
Title: Re: Very poor leeks
Post by: rugbypost on December 31, 2012, 20:39:43
Sow my seed tomorrow and always plant out in march lost all my leeks and onions by september all had bolted the weather was so wet and cold I dont think they  new what season it was
Title: Re: Very poor leeks
Post by: antipodes on January 02, 2013, 10:28:40
Yes mine are not much cop, even the ones I planted from bought plants. Actually the ones I did from seed are better, surprisingly!
Title: Re: Very poor leeks
Post by: Stevens706 on January 03, 2013, 12:47:59
Worst year ever for leeks, and most other things to be honest. But looking forward to a great coming year of bumper cropes :wav:
Title: Re: Very poor leeks
Post by: gazza1960 on January 05, 2013, 20:44:52
same as KT weve been pulling the fattest hoping the rest of the 150 sewn fatten up over the winter,been very sweet and tasty,one of those things that have grown quite well.

would be interesting to do a study across the UK ,all agreeing to grow the same variety,seeded,and planted approximately the same week and watch
how the seasons weather effects each county.

We tried 'Bleu de Solaise' this season from the Real seed co,and are pleased with the results

GazNjude
Title: Re: Very poor leeks
Post by: Nigel B on January 06, 2013, 12:19:23
Mine were not too bad considering, but they did suffer terribly from ugly rust. I let a couple run to seed and saved them for this year.
Is this a good idea or not, does the team think? ;-)
Title: Re: Very poor leeks
Post by: Hi_Hoe on January 06, 2013, 12:27:40
Mine are stunted too. some more than others, but on the whole theyre pretty disapointing.

Lets hope this years crop is a marked improvement!!
Title: Re: Very poor leeks
Post by: manicscousers on January 06, 2013, 14:45:18
Just about to start pot leeks, here's hoping they're better than last year  :happy7:
Title: Re: Very poor leeks
Post by: green lily on January 06, 2013, 16:46:40
Mine are smaller than usual but I put it down to covering against leek moth etc and not noticing/bothering that a lot of volunteer spuds were growing in amongst them and taking nutients etc. quality ok but probably needed more weeding and feeding. Leeks eat more than you'd think. ....Spuds dead now due to frost but I need to deep dig when I come back from my hols. Going into respite care.. Madeira for a month :blob7: