[bobbyt]

Sorry if this has been asked before. Leeks in deep seed tray late Feb - early March in greenhouse, are still quite thin (biro refill size, maybe less). I did thin them to give them space. Is this ok? If so, how long do they take to get to pencil thickness to plant out? If not, what has gone wrong, and how to rectify next time if possible? Thank you.

[mumofstig]

Have you fed them at all? Most modern composts run out of nutrients after 6 to 8 weeks, so a liquid feed every few weeks certainly helps 

[Growster...]

I shouldn't worry, Bobby, they pick up after being planted out anyway! They're very forgiving!

Yes, it's always nice to see sturdy pencil-like plants going in, but eventually, they always catch up, and you'll get them to a decent size when ready!

For the first time ever, I've got some leeks which are nearly pencil size, but can't find the space to plant them yet, so they'll have to wait until they're fountain pen size!

[Alank]

Don't worry they will catch up, I planted out my Musselburgh leeks at the weekend they are for eating and are as thin as a biro refill they will be fine when they are due to harvest no worries.
I also planted out my show leeks into trenches in the polly tunnels a couple of weeks ago they were planted out at seven inches in circumference.
I'm more confident of the little eating leeks being ok than the show leeks.

[Nobbie]

What I tried last year that worked well, was sowing early in a 4” pot and then about a month ago I transplanted the still thin seedlings into a row a couple of inches apart. I just used a hoe to draw a deep drill, watered it and laid them in before pushing the earth back as I couldn’t be bothered to plant individually. When they get to a decent size I’ll transplant to their final location in holes, probably where the early potatoes are currently.

[bobbyt]

Thanks for the replies, I'll give them a feed as suggested and see what happens.

[Goosegirl]

I always sow mine in 6" pots by scattering the seed as evenly as I can. When they germinate and are showing 3-4 decent leaves I transplant them into the same or slightly bigger pot about 6 or 9 to a pot then plant them out later when they have thickened up a bit.

[Hampshire Hog]

I just need to tell the rabbits that my leeks aren’t for their tea!