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  • Growing leeks for exhibition.

    This isn't one of my specialities but I'm housebound at the mo and starting off my leeks is something I am able to do so I'll share as I go along.

    The process actually started around the beginning of September in 2014. The leeks I selected to put down to seed were the best I had had on the showbench.

    The initial process is quite simple. With a large knife, cut off the bottom 6" or so of the leek (the top part is ideal for soup). Peel back the stem so that it is roughly in line with the root plate, cut off the old roots and stick in a bucket of water for a few days till new roots start to appear. If that takes a while, change the water every three or four days.

    After roots are visible, pot up in 5 ltre pots of JI3 compost. New leaf growth will become visible within a few days. Grow these on through the winter, taking inside out of the frost when necessary, and the following june/july seed heads will be produced. When the flowers are fully formed, cut off all the individual flowers quite close to the bottom. That can be done with a scissors or sharp knife. Within a few weeks, the seed heads will be covered with green grass like growth. Sometimes known as grass or pips, each individual stem is actually a miniature leek and importantly for exhibition growing, being developed from Vegetative Propagation, will be an exact reproduction of the parent plant. It's important to try to keep that grass growing freshly till around this time of year which is the ideal time to start next years crop.


    That takes us nicely to where we are now. Cut each head of grass off leaving around 9" of stem(to use as a handle). Immerse the whole stem including the head in a bucket containing a gallon of water and around 25mls of bleach(I use the one which kills 99% of household germs) and leave for a couple of days. This will kill off any lurking pathogens and should prevent any problems with mould or botrytis.

    After the couple of days, the leek pips/grass should happily separate from the head but it may help to cut across the head with a sharp knife and then harvest pips along the cut edge.

    I then wrap my pips in strips of kitchen paper and then wet the bundle and leave for several days on the windowsill in a polybag where the pips should then throw lovely clean roots.

    That's it for now. Next episode to follow
    Last edited by Aberdeenplotter; 27-10-2015, 03:14 PM. Reason: changed off to of

  • #2
    This is going to be interesting, I don't grow for show the Vine being the exception but am always looking for tips to improve my crops.

    Thanks AP
    Potty by name Potty by nature.

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    • #3
      I shall be following with interest as I did with the advice you gave on the onion thread. Thank you
      LOVE growing food to eat in my little town back garden. Winter update: currently growing overwintering onions, carrots, lettuce, chard, salad leaves, kale, cabbage, radish, beetroot, garlic, broccoli raab, some herbs.

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      • #4
        Oh my, please don't expect this to be like the onion thread. It would be great if it did but the onion thread developed a life of its own

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        • #5
          Maybe But I'll lap up any info on growing veggies and am making notes - sad I know! Leeks are the one veg that OH loves to eat so I really want those to work. I bought a heritage variety called Bleu de Solaise to try next year no idea if they're any good but fingers crossed I can get a result.
          LOVE growing food to eat in my little town back garden. Winter update: currently growing overwintering onions, carrots, lettuce, chard, salad leaves, kale, cabbage, radish, beetroot, garlic, broccoli raab, some herbs.

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          • #6
            Would these leeks be edible AP ? - using bleach.
            .......because you're thinking of putting the kettle on and making a pot of tea perhaps, you old weirdo. (Veggie Chicken - 25/01/18)

            My Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnC..._as=subscriber

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            • #7
              I had a look at that leek on T&M's website Leek 'Bleu de Solaise' - Heritage - Onion & Leek Seeds - Thompson & Morgan where it says "This French heritage variety makes an attractive addition to the vegetable plot, or even dotted among flower borders for a strong vertical accent. It's distinctive blue leaves take on an eye catching purple tinge as winter temperatures drop. Leek 'Bleu de Solaise' is a reliable winter variety producing short, heavy stems that will stand well through even the most atrocious winter weather. Height: 45cm (18"). Spread: 30cm (12")."

              It certainly looks ok - for the kitchen. I'll be striving for a better finish on mine than shown in that photo but hopefully as with the onions, the growing methods I use will help kitchen growers improve their results.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by KevinM67 View Post
                Would these leeks be edible AP ? - using bleach.
                Hi Kevin, Bleach refers to a number of chemicals which remove color, whiten or disinfect, often by oxidation.(according to Wikipedia). The leeks are well rinsed under the cold tap after their bleach bath so I'm basically starting with very very clean leek pips and nothing else .

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                • #9
                  What's your take on Pot Leeks AP for anyone wanting to grow large leeks this season.
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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Aberdeenplotter View Post

                    ... the following june/july seed heads will be produced. When the flowers are fully formed, cut off all the individual flowers quite close to the bottom. That can be done with a scissors or sharp knife. Within a few weeks, the seed heads will be covered with green grass like growth.
                    Please Sir, one question if I may
                    Are you cutting off the flowers and their stalks and do you put them in water until the "grass" grows? Like a flower arrangement!

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                    • #11
                      Very interesting thank you, i will be following.

                      P.s i think you will be surprised how much bleach (or similar) is used in food products in general.
                      I grow 70% for us and 30% for the snails, then the neighbours eats them

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post
                        Please Sir, one question if I may
                        Are you cutting off the flowers and their stalks and do you put them in water until the "grass" grows? Like a flower arrangement!
                        You only cut the petal bit of the flowers off.
                        The bottom of the flowers are still growing on their stalks, and it's from base of the flowers that the leek 'grass' grows

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                        • #13
                          AP which varieties would you grow for exhibition (that are tasty aswell) ?

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Bigmallly View Post
                            What's your take on Pot Leeks AP for anyone wanting to grow large leeks this season.
                            Hi BM.

                            Pot leeks have been bred to what I consider to be ridiculous proportions over the years. At the NVS National Championships in Dundee this year, the biggest, a pair of a variety named Black Betty were absolutely huge and took up an unreasonable amount of Bench space. The winning set, again very big were a set of "Cumbrian". This year I will be growing "Cumbria Cross" which I think is a cross between the Sammy Dickinson Leek and the Cumbrian. I'm told this grows big and doesn't have the same virused appearance of the Cumbrian. Time will tell. I don't profess to be expert with leeks but I do enjoy trying to grow them.

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post
                              Please Sir, one question if I may
                              Are you cutting off the flowers and their stalks and do you put them in water until the "grass" grows? Like a flower arrangement!
                              Hi VC,

                              just to clarify, cutting the flowers off is sometimes referred to as shaving the heads and the bits removed are discarded. I really don't think it matters how much or how little stalk is removed provided the individual flower heads are taked off. Everyone will do what suits them. It's not an exact science. Thelma has provided good pics of the before and a couple of weeks after

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