Leek seeds

fletch · « **on:** June 03, 2007, 21:22 »

I have some leeks on my allotment which were already there when I got it approx 2 months ago.
I haven't had time to harvest them and they are all about to flower.
Will I be able to let them go to seed and re-use it to make a fresh sowing, or should I just forget it and start with new seeds from scratch?
I'll let them flower anyway as the flowers look like they might be interesting.

Thanks in advance

Fletch

spinny · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2007, 21:27 »

If ypu leave them grow fletch, you'll find that you get baby leeks growing from the seed head. These (known as 'pips') can be planted themselves to grow on.

spinny

fletch · « **Reply #2 on:** June 03, 2007, 21:43 »

No way! Brilliant.

This veg growing thing is so interesting. My friends and family are a bit confused at the moment as they assume I should know what I am doing. I've been gardening for years and love it, but have never grown veg and am completely lost!
There are a lot of things on this allotment that I wouldn't grow myself and certainly don't normally eat (Swiss chard and celeriac for starters) so I am trying to grow things that I like.

Baby leeks from a seedhead sounds fantastic as I love leeks.

This just gets better and better!

David. · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2007, 22:00 »

You will probably only get a few 'pips' (if any) from the stem, which are normally only valuable if saving special giant leeks.

I save leek seeds from the dried flower heads with great success.

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2007, 22:11 »

Baby leeks from the seed head??? I didn't know that!!!! Mind you, I've never left my leeks long enough to go to seed, we love them too!!!!

DD. · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2007, 22:14 »

Quote from: "grannieannie"

Baby leeks from the seed head??? I didn't know that!!!! Mind you, I've never left my leeks long enough to go to seed, we love them too!!!!

This no doubt occurs in wet weather once the seeds have dried in the head. The recommended way of saving seed from leeks is to keep an eye on the flower head. Once you see the black seed in the centre of the individual flower heads, whip it off and dry it out.

WG. · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2007, 22:19 »

At risk of sounding dull and boring ... if the parent is an F1 hybrid then any seed may not be true to type.

spinny · « **Reply #7 on:** June 03, 2007, 22:19 »

I've done it both ways - saved the seed and left them for the pips, but usually from exhibition leeks

Spinny

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #8 on:** June 03, 2007, 22:23 »

I don't need to collect any seed yet do I Whisky??? lol I've got enough seed to last me a year or 10 !!!!

WG. · « **Reply #9 on:** June 03, 2007, 22:28 »

Quote from: "grannieannie"

I don't need to collect any seed yet do I Whisky??? lol I've got enough seed to last me a year or 10 !!!!

2 years at most. :idea: Anyone got a recipe for leek wine for GA??

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #10 on:** June 03, 2007, 22:34 »

Only 2? Oh dear, I'd better plant nothing but leeks next year then!!! Leek wine?

? Don't think I fancy that one Whisky!!!!

DD. · « **Reply #11 on:** June 04, 2007, 07:16 »

Quote from: "whisky_golf"

At risk of sounding dull and boring ... if the parent is an F1 hybrid then any seed may not be true to type.

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Leek seeds

David.

WG.

WG.