Note; The following cultural instructions are for maincrop leeks.
Should one be considering growing for exhibition, then the instructions would be quite different.
For example; sowing dates could be as much as ten weeks earlier, heat, light and potting on would also be much different.
However with the following instruction, some good results can still be achieved.
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Subject to variety plants will grow to around 600mm (24") high with a spread of around 300mm (12")
Summer varieties will take around 30 weeks to mature from the sowing date. Winter varieties can be left in the ground to be harvested as required during the winter months.
Cultivation;
Week 14; Sow seed in trays of seed compost and germinate at temperature of 13°C (55°F)
Germination should take around 10 days.
Week 17; Prepare trenches now if not done earlier.
Take out a trench 300mm (12") wide, and 600mm (24") deep, placing the bottom layer on one side of the trench and the topsoil on the other.
Fork soil at the bottom 150mm (6") deep and spread a layer of well rotted manure or garden compost.
Break up subsoil as you return it, mixing with it, a bucketful of farmyard manure to each metre (3ft) run and 50gms(2oz) of bonemeal.
Similarly when returning top soil, mix in well rotted manure, and add 30gms (1 oz) of bonemeal per metre run.
Rake bed over thoroughly in each direction, but don't do this if the surface sticky.
Week 18: Prick out seedlings if large enough to handle into 75mm (3") pots of potting compost and grow on at a temperature of 10°C (50°F)
Keep them in good light but not direct sunshine.
Week 19: Gradually harden off seedlings by placing in a cold frame until they are of sufficient size to plant out.
Note; If the plants show signs of becoming 'pot bound' pot them up into 125mm (5") pots until planting out time.
Week 23; Leeks are ready for transplanting when they are about 200mm (8”) tall.
Plant out into 150mm (6”) deep holes made with a dibber or trowel 150-200mm (6”-8”) apart, in rows 300 –400mm (12”-14”) apart.
Water each plant individually to settle soil around the roots.
Although shortening of roots and foliage is sometimes advised to reduce plant stress, it in fact decreases the plant's capacity to recover and should be avoided.
Shading can also be detrimental and is only necessary in the hottest weather.
Week 26; If growing 'blanch' leeks fit a cardboard collar around each leek when it is around 150-200mm (6"-8") tall and earth up around them with soil.
Try not to get soil between the leaves when doing so.
Alternatively; Fit a 100-150mm (4"-6") diameter pipe approximately 600mm (24") long around each leek.
Week 27; Feed every two weeks from now until the end of September feed with a low potash liquid fertilizer e.g Chempak No.2
Alternatively; alternate feeds between nitrate of soda and superphosphate of lime at 30gms (1oz) per 5 litres (1 gall) of water.
Exhibition Leeks;
Leeks for exhibition purposes are divided into three categories:
- Pot; are not more than 150mm (6") from base to button.
- Intermediate; are not less than 150mm (6") and not more than 350mm (14") from base to button.
- Blanch; are more than 350mm (14") from base to button.
The button; is where the first pair of leaves sometimes referred to as 'flags' split e.g. V
The National Pot Leek Society give additional points for volume or cubic capacity measured on volume of blanched shaft.
Tables for the calculation of cubic capacity are obtainable from the Secretary of the National Pot Leek Society.
