Author Topic: Bolting leeks (Read 5347 times)

Hazelwood Flock · « **on:** September 30, 2011, 09:40:52 pm »

We planted our leeks in july, and have looked after them dilligently but they are determined to run to flower. Any ideas why?

Blinkers · « **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2011, 10:12:09 pm »

I read the title and had images of Leeks doing a runner....

..... sorry, no help whatsoever

Hazelwood Flock · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2011, 09:11:47 pm »

I hadn't looked at it like that!!!

little blue · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2011, 09:37:00 pm »

Hazelwood - its the weather!
not alot you can do except a) pick them, small as they may be
b) let them flower - they're lovely to look at

Lesley Silvester · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2011, 10:30:04 pm »

And flowering leeks attract loads of bees.

Hazelwood Flock · « **Reply #5 on:** October 04, 2011, 10:12:29 pm »

Some for us and some for the bees it is then! Thanks folks.

Plantoid · « **Reply #6 on:** October 04, 2011, 11:26:24 pm »

If you have leeks to spare try cutting out the flower stem on a couple of dozen or so .. I did this about this time last year and still ended up with useable leeks for stews and soups over winter but I did have to remove the rest of the defunct stalk .
Some were good enough to use as braised leeks in gravy or white sauce .

Those leeks that we didnt deflower gave me some seeds around June this year .. they are now dried ( airing cupboard in a paper bag for a week ) and stored in some cold oven dried rice in an air tight (small potted meat ) jar, ready for an early start in January 2012.

Mel Rice · « **Reply #7 on:** October 08, 2011, 10:45:06 pm »

I left the heads on a couple of my last years leeks. The heads produced loads of little leeklets which ive now stuck in rows to overwinter and see what happens.

tizaala · « **Reply #8 on:** October 09, 2011, 07:20:18 am »

Pull , blanch, freeze.

Odin · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2011, 09:37:38 pm »

This was the first year that I have ever had where leaks have failed. I have questioned the seed and the ground but got no answers (well I wouldn't). They were very thin, no bulk on them and just disappeared to the slug.

Blonde · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2011, 08:16:08 am »

Quote from: Hazelwood Flock on September 30, 2011, 09:40:52 pm

We planted our leeks in july, and have looked after them dilligently but they are determined to run to flower. Any ideas why?

Generally it is light intensity. Some shade cloth over the top will slow the flower stalks and encourage the leek to develop and grow further. Lettuce's have the same problem.