[shed head]

I sown some leeks a few weeks ago.  They germinated pretty quick but they dont appear to have come on much.
They look like small blades of grass.  They are in a cool bedroom that just gets sun in the morning.
Am i doing something wrong?
Thanks

[richy]

put them out in a cold frame if you have one to get more light.

[New shoot]

Leeks are like blades of grass to start with, but they don't need to be inside.  In fact it will be too warm for them, so move them outside as soon as you can.  They are very hardy seedlings.  Lots of people sow direct outside.

They do get going and bulk up, but you are only looking at an ideal of pencil thickness before transplating into their final growing position, so as long as they are not stretched by the lack of light and too warm conditions, they should come good 

[ally]

Leeks are like blades of grass to start with, but they don't need to be inside.  In fact it will be too warm for them, so move them outside as soon as you can.  They are very hardy seedlings.  Lots of people sow direct outside.

They do get going and bulk up, but you are only looking at an ideal of pencil thickness before transplating into their final growing position, so as long as they are not stretched by the lack of light and too warm conditions, they should come good 

New Shoot what is the rough time scale from germination to planting out ... my leeks last year took months to reach the thickness of a pencil and they are not looking good now ... they are out during the day and in the greenhouse at night .... I have sowed them in trays like DD's plan.

[New shoot]

They are a bit of a slow burn Ally.  Most people look to plant out after the first early potatoes have been lifted, so May or June.  Mine are only just germinating as I sowed late due to the bad weather - I reckon it will be well into June before they go out 

I find they look weedy for ages, then suddenly get going.  A deep root run is essential for starting them in pots, which is why DD's cat litter tray method works so well.  I also feed mine a liquid feed after the first few weeks to keep them growing.  You need something high in nitrogen for leaf growth 

[JayG]

Agree with NS - they can seem to get stuck at a stage where they look more like young chives, but a liquid feed does seem to help them thicken up enough for planting out - best to try to time it so they don't outgrow their container before they (and you) are ready to plant them out though.

[ally]

Agree with NS - they can seem to get stuck at a stage where they look more like young chives, but a liquid feed does seem to help them thicken up enough for planting out - best to try to time it so they don't outgrow their container before they (and you) are ready to plant them out though.

No fear there I just kick them over!!! 

So have started again .... they should be in time with the earlies that are now probably second earlies due to weather!!  So cross with myself ..... was getting all the seedlings in as it looks like rain!

[devonbarmygardener]

That's the problem I've always had with leeks -  getting them past the blade of grass stage that my first sowings are at right now.

Might try a little feed then.

[JayG]

I suspect I might not be the only one who think yours are actually looking rather splendid for this time of year DBG!   

As Ally has said I will probably have to find a new place for mine when the time comes because there's no way my early spuds will be out by the end of June (same last year but that was slow growth rather than late planting.)

[devonbarmygardener]

I suspect I might not be the only one who think yours are actually looking rather splendid for this time of year DBG!   

I'm chuffed to bits so far!!

The next sowing is sprouting now too.

I'm thinking I will run out of room on the plot this year though!

[ally]

DBG is that a tomato or mushroom container??  so jealous of your leeks ... it would seem it was a good thing kicking mine over, they definatley didnt look anything like yours!!!

[shed head]

Could someone suggest what to feed my spindly leeks woth

[chris172]

wow.. those look very perky Devonbarmygradener...

Ours look like grass and are flat laying over 

[RJR_38]

Yep, mine are definitely more chive-like and spindly than that

[Beetroot queen]

Mine are a bit behind, blades of grass would do fine for me. They will come on.