... not on the flower head, but below ground. They look just like the ones that grow on elephant garlic, but softer.
Has anyone tried growing from these?
They are 'Jaune de Poitou' that have stood over the winter, and showing signs of going to seed. Seems like an easy way to produce this years crop.
Anyway, I've put some in a large pot to see how they do.
I've not had little bulblets, only mini leeks which appear to sprout from the base of the plant. I guess these could have been from bulblets? I usually plant them up although I've found they can be a bit hit and miss on whether they go to seed at the same time as the main crop. Others go on for another year and produce full size version.
Interested to hear how you get on with your bulblets.
Yes..some leeks do grow these underground bulbs..wild leeks do that all the time as well as babbinton leek.
I've one that I think is 'wild' leek and although it does flower, it has never produced any seeds for me yet...well, any that I've managed to grow.
I like growing the leeks from bulbs..and the bulb itself is nice to eat..you just have to keep the flowering in check to able to increase the size of the bulb.
All my bulb grown plants are now in 'green leek' stage but they won't wait for long, the flower stems start coming up in few weeks time.
Hi, I always leave a dozen leeks in the ground over winter (previously having snapped the seed head off). They are too tough to eat but...
Each one almost always develops a few bulbils that by March have sprouted little side-shoots. Leave them until they are 6-9 inches or so above ground, dig up the parent leek, carefully remove the side shoots and plant out in rows.
This simple technique gets you an early and trouble-free, true-to-type crop.
Nice one planetearth (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-basic/smile.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
QuoteI've put some in a large pot to see how they do.
Do keep us posted. It is nice to hear how peoples experiments are going.