Thinning leek seedlings (sorry another leek question)

  • 13 Replies
  • 8942 Views
*

LivvyW

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Wicklow Mountains
  • 498
I sowed my leeks in deep trays, i had the last of two packets, Autumn Giant and Lancia. I hope to have some early and some late.

I sowed in deep trays as suggested in here and used all the seed i had.

I later worked out how many leeks i could fit in the bed (after my first earlies) I need around 100.  The problem is that my seedlings are between a half inch and 1 inch apart, and i have roughly 100. If i thin them i won't have enough to fill my bed. (I can't grow enough leeks)

Will they be able to reach a decent size if i leave them as they are?  What spacing should i be thinning to?

Liv.

*

Trillium

  • Guest
Re: Thinning leek seedlings (sorry another leek question)
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2009, 19:06 »
You can go either way on thinning your leeks: 1) leave them as is and they'll keep growing slowly or 2) put the thinnings into pots which will grow a bit more than in the deep tray. This way none are wasted and they're ready when you are.

*

LivvyW

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Wicklow Mountains
  • 498
Re: Thinning leek seedlings (sorry another leek question)
« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2009, 19:19 »
Thanks Trillium,

I was trying to avoid potting on 100 leeks really.  But i want good leeks.

If i had enough in the deep tray what spacing should i thin to? 

*

mumofstig

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Kent
  • 57877
Re: Thinning leek seedlings (sorry another leek question)
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2009, 20:38 »
I have carefully sown mine 1in apart each way like this
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=26363.0


If you do decide to thin yours just carefully lift the one(s) in the wrong place and pot on.

*

LivvyW

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Wicklow Mountains
  • 498
Re: Thinning leek seedlings (sorry another leek question)
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2009, 21:09 »
I saw that post Mumofstig, so with a one inch spacing they can grow to 'pencilish' thickness?

I think your suggestion is my best option. Thanks


*

Riala

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • 816
Re: Thinning leek seedlings (sorry another leek question)
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2009, 21:22 »
Can I jump in this thread and ask if it is too late to sow more leek seeds?

*

mumofstig

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Kent
  • 57877
Re: Thinning leek seedlings (sorry another leek question)
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2009, 21:59 »
The pkts usually say to sow by end of april, so you'd only be a few days late and they have got all year to catch up :lol: So go for it :)

*

Trillium

  • Guest
Re: Thinning leek seedlings (sorry another leek question)
« Reply #7 on: May 04, 2009, 22:09 »
Actually, you can keep sowing leek seeds every few weeks until July. this will give you slender and tender leeks on a long term basis rather than fat, tougher leeks you must wait for ages to eat. The French use this method all season as they detest thick tough leeks.

*

David.

  • Guest
Re: Thinning leek seedlings (sorry another leek question)
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2009, 19:17 »
Actually, you can keep sowing leek seeds every few weeks until July. this will give you slender and tender leeks on a long term basis rather than fat, tougher leeks you must wait for ages to eat. The French use this method all season as they detest thick tough leeks.

When I first satrted growing leeks, I thought the bigger the better, buying special seed, heating my greenhouse from early in the year, etc., but these days I do things differentley:

So I save seeds from my leeks:



which are rather difficult to winnow, but cheap and I now sow much more and much later, in open ground (so it's not the problem it would be with all that debris in seed trays going mouldy) and transplant them into dibbed holes in clumps (everything to keep the size down!):



and I end up with long, slender, tender (higher value)leeks like this (dug today):







*

sunshineband

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Reading, Berkshire
  • 32056
  • Tallest Sunflower prizewinner 2014
    • A Little Bit of Sunshine
Re: Thinning leek seedlings (sorry another leek question)
« Reply #9 on: May 05, 2009, 19:25 »
Mine are still like green hairs  ??? Everything else grew like mad over the weekend but not the leeks :(
Wisdom is knowing what to ignore - be comfortable in your own skin.
My Blog
My Diary
My Diary Comments

*

mumofstig

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Kent
  • 57877
Re: Thinning leek seedlings (sorry another leek question)
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2009, 19:36 »
i put mine back in the polytunnel on sunday and they look as if they sighed with relief.... i'm sure it's this funny weather, one day hot and day cold.At least the tunnel evens it out a bit...as long as i remember to open it on the hot days. OOOps :wacko:

*

celjaci

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: North Yorks
  • 386
  • celjaci = Bosnian peasant!
Re: Thinning leek seedlings (sorry another leek question)
« Reply #11 on: May 05, 2009, 20:03 »
I'm sure with 1in spacing the seedlings should grow plenty big enough for planting out.
Trouble is nutrients can get leached out of compost in 6 weeks so you may need to liquid feed to keep them growing.
Playing all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order!

*

sunshineband

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Reading, Berkshire
  • 32056
  • Tallest Sunflower prizewinner 2014
    • A Little Bit of Sunshine
Re: Thinning leek seedlings (sorry another leek question)
« Reply #12 on: May 05, 2009, 20:05 »
We have a large cloche (called the polytunnel by those who know no better hahahahaa) and I have put net across the open ends to help control the temperature during the day, and keep the foxes out  ::) Seems to help if I am not around to open it all up properly

*

DD.

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Loughborough. a/k/a Digger Dave. Prettiest Pumpkin prizewinner 2011
  • 30465
  • Pea God & Founder Member of The NFGG
Re: Thinning leek seedlings (sorry another leek question)
« Reply #13 on: May 06, 2009, 07:21 »
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=26363.0

No thinning.

No transplanting, (until final positions).
Did it really tell you to do THAT on the packet?



xx
Do leek seedlings need thinning out?

Started by rhysdad on Grow Your Own

13 Replies
5788 Views
Last post April 18, 2011, 22:00
by TheSpartacat
xx
Cabbage, cauli and leek seedlings question...

Started by kippers garden on Grow Your Own

8 Replies
2227 Views
Last post February 22, 2011, 11:51
by Jome
xx
Help with leek seedlings please!

Started by carinapod on Grow Your Own

2 Replies
1491 Views
Last post April 08, 2010, 20:18
by Missy1970
xx
Leek seedlings

Started by juliec on Grow Your Own

1 Replies
1331 Views
Last post November 12, 2010, 14:05
by Aidy
 

Page created in 0.359 seconds with 41 queries.

Powered by SMFPacks Social Login Mod
Powered by SMFPacks SEO Pro Mod |