[Riala]

I seem to have terrible trouble growing leeks.  I started them indoors on the kitchen window sill in a propagator.  When they peeked through the soil I took the plastic lid off.

When they were this size I put them outside with everything else.  They have stayed this size for a few weeks now... should I do the hole in the ground thing, or start again? This is my 3rd attempt.


You can see the Leeks and then the Spring Onions (bigger greens)

[shaun]

look ok to me,plant them again in pots on there own with good quality potting compost number 2 or 3,this gives the plants more room to grow and nutrients.
if its seed compost that you have sown in then it dont have enough food in the compost,its just for germinating the seed.hope i make sence

[DD.]

Leeks do not need heat.

I suspect the shock of going from being cosseted to their true environment has set them back.

At this time of year they can be sown in nursery beds direct into the ground, so try a few in a seed tray outside. You could cover them to make them slightly warmer, but no direct heat. Don't throw the others away, they may get over the shock.

Not much point dropping them in a hole, you'd never see them again!

[Lardman]

Look fine to me too.

Mine are still in cat litter trays as per DD's instructions   They seemed to stay like grass for ages then all of a sudden thicken to pencil size.

[Riala]

Can I sow direct to ground? Or should I just try a new lot in another tray?

[RichardA]

Is it worth a second transplant into a deeper tray or pots  as they are I guess still about 4 weeks away from planting out finally?? I agree with others -- dont treat leeks too softly, they can be started outside in a seed bed and then planted out so don't really need the heat. I just start mine with slight bottom heat (that's from heating cables in case any one thinks its something rude) fro about a week frm seed and then out into cold greenhouse and then to cold frames
R

[Riala]

I see your in Yellow Belly County there! *big wave*

I just went into my shed, and I have no Leek seeds left.  I need more tom seeds anyway, so a trip to Wilkos for me tomorrow.

[Kristen]

They look fine to me, no point  potting on, they don't want to be in their final dibber'd planting hole until June - and July would still be OK.  Wait until they are pencil thickness

Only possible problem is that a) they are in a tray with other things - bound to be disturbed when each is transplanted and b) its a bit shallow. I sow mine in a deeper pot.

[Riala]

Thanks Kristen, I shall start the next lot in a deeper tray on their own then and see how they get on.

[DD.]

Cat litter trays - the way to go!!!

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=26363.0

[Sharonx]

Mine look like this too. Mine were sown in seed compost in YES a cat litter tray  and left in cold frame until they germinated. I then moved them outside and to be honest they're probably not even as thick as yours.

What shall I feed them with?
Mine look like they are snapping as well, is this right? Thanks

[DD.]

Be patient, when it warms up they'll move.

If by "look like they are snapping" you mean crooked & bent over, this is their natural shape in the early stages of growth.

[Sharonx]

Thanks, all may not be lost then. You don't recommend a feed then?
Mine are not so well spaced out as yours DD, you must be very patient! When should I thin them out?

[matron]

Bung loads of seeds in a tray with grow bag stuff and leave until end of June then plant individually - werks for us  (Trays in cold frame then outside)

[Christine]

Nice to know that others are learning the hard way with leeks just like me.