[rubberfrog]

I have trimmed my onion seedlings and found they are growing far stronger than the ones I left (these have now been scalped).  My question is can I do the same with my leek seedlings?

Thanks

RF 

[Annen]

Did you trim the tops or the bottoms?  I did both last year to my leeks and they were great.

[sowitgrowit]

I'm trimming my onion and leek seedlings - rightly or wrongly I decided to go for it as they're the same family.

The growth they're putting on is encouraging - I certainly think they toughen up because of it.

[Goosegirl]

I trim my leek roots on planting out - it makes it a lot easier getting them into the bottom of the hole, but haven't done it when transplanting into bigger pots, but will try it; also will try trimming the leaves at both stages. If nothing else, it will stop my cat Daphne from mischieviously stealing one out of the hole! 

[loobs61]

can you all exspand a bit on leek trimming please, Ive never done this so would be good to try this year, top and bottom ?? does this promote more white on the stems ?
thanks a bunch
 loobs

[fatcat1955]

The men in the know now say that trimming leeks is detrimental. No it will not increase the  white shank, you need to bury it deeper or earth it up.

[DD.]

We have this every year.

I trim roots so the plant drops right down to the bottom of the hole and doesn't sit on top of bunched up roots, therefore that equals longer blanched bits.

Anyway this thread is about seedlings, not plants. That argument will doubtlessly come up again later. And again, and again...................

[rubberfrog]

thanks for all the replies but yes this is about seedlings not full plants before planting out.  I have added a pic of the seedlings, still with the seed attached.  I was just wondering if i can trim these as i have done with my onions.

thanks again

https://www.flickr.com/photos/92224614@N06/13245394925/

[JayG]

Your link takes me to Flickr's sign-up page rather than your pictures Rubberfrog, but in any event if the seed is still attached I suspect the poor things are a bit small to start trimming, whether you're a believer or not. 

[barley]

I've tried both ways trimmed and not trimmed - didn't make a jot of difference to end result 

[Salmo]

Sometimes, when onions seedlings have grown too leggy, I have given them a haircut at about 2 inches. That allows them to grow upright rather than falling over and tangling with their neighbours. Does not seem to harm them, in fact they appear to grow sturdier. According to American websites it is the accepted thing to do over there.

I am sure leeks will respond the same.

[Totty]

Yes they do.

Totty

[rubberfrog]

Sometimes, when onions seedlings have grown too leggy, I have given them a haircut at about 2 inches. That allows them to grow upright rather than falling over and tangling with their neighbours. Does not seem to harm them, in fact they appear to grow sturdier. According to American websites it is the accepted thing to do over there.

I am sure leeks will respond the same.

Many thanks, this answered my question, I shall give them a few more weeks and book them in for a haircut.

thanks again.

RF