[maxie]

After growing onward for a good few years ive slowly moved over to semi leafless, mainly because they are easier to support as the onward would often fall over.
But this year i grew two varieties,Canoe and Geisha from marshalls plus an early variety which is normal leafed.
But the two leafless ones seem to have all matured very rapid and ive had a good pick off them but it didnt seem to last long.
So do the semi leafless mature all at the same time?i think i read somewhere they were bred for commercial picking to be ready all at once for the harvest.
By the way the normal variety were the nicest (Spring from marshalls) followed by canoe (Johnsons) and last was Geisha (Marshalls)
Maybe it was just the growing conditions weve had lately,plenty water and plenty heat 

[BobandJack]

I grew Markana which is a semi leafless variety - it was rubbish, hardly grown at all 

[Greengirl]

I found the same problem with the semi-leafless ones - they all mature at once. I much prefer the old varieties like Onward, Alderman & Hursts Greenshaft, they crop over a much longer period & the flavour is fantastic. You still have to support the semi- leafless ones too, so you might as well grow the ordinary ones.

[maxie]

I think ill be back to onward next year,can you still buy alderman?

[DD.]

There's several stockists if you Google.

Pro rata these are probably the best value, but may be more than you want.

http://www.molesseeds.co.uk/acatalog/Products_Alderman_4434.html

Out of stock at the mo.

[Greengirl]

I think I got my Alderman from Browns last year.