(13-11-2021, 02:29 PM)Veggie Wrote: [ -> ]Today's news - I didn't "shave" or "cut with scissors" the heads of 2 leeks - I nipped off all the seeds with my finger nails and scattered the seeds in a foot square "bed" alongside the mother leeks. Let's see if I can propagate a single leek in 3 different ways - the 3rd being leaving it in the ground to send up side leeks.
Interesting topic I didn't fully understand so watched a couple of YT vids
(13-11-2021, 02:29 PM)Veggie Wrote: [ -> ]Today's news - I didn't "shave" or "cut with scissors" the heads of 2 leeks - I nipped off all the seeds with my finger nails and scattered the seeds in a foot square "bed" alongside the mother leeks. Let's see if I can propagate a single leek in 3 different ways - the 3rd being leaving it in the ground to send up side leeks.
The usually two 'kingpods' that form at the base of the leek will grow quickly but very quickly run to seed. These too can be propagated in a similar way. Its the leeks third line of defense for making sure its strain survives! The leek grass from these two seedheads will have exactly the same qualities as the parent leek.
You can only propoagate vegetatively for a couple of yeara as it is similar to cloning and you start to hit reversion issues!
"Shaving leeks will probably end up in my "Life's too short" file. The actual nipping off is quick and easy but the thought of growing on hundreds of mini leeklings may be too much for me. I'll see if it works first before I decide.
Buried stumps work so that may be as much as I can cope with!!
(14-11-2021, 05:37 PM)Veggie Wrote: [ -> ]"Shaving leeks will probably end up in my "Life's too short" file. The actual nipping off is quick and easy but the thought of growing on hundreds of mini leeklings may be too much for me. I'll see if it works first before I decide.
Buried stumps work so that may be as much as I can cope with!!
You need to be a fully paid up member of the leek shavers guild to do it anyway Veggie!
Do these Leek Shavers have funny handshakes, Vinny?
(14-11-2021, 10:22 PM)Veggie Wrote: [ -> ]Do these Leek Shavers have funny handshakes, Vinny?
No,green fingers and thumbs and just one rolled up trouser leg, which is a bit awkward when wearing shorts!
Years ago I was iinnaugerated into the Boilermakers Union as an apprentice (Mackers for short) I shouldn't really divulge secrets, but at innaugaration you had to put your thumb in your top button hole of your jacket! I nearly got kicked out for asking them whether they were extracting urine!
I suppose some of these traditions were a necessity in the past.
Meanwhile...........I've just nipped another leek head and pondered what would happen if you planted the head - would hundreds of leeklings emerge?
What do you think, O Worshipful Master Leek Shaver?
(15-11-2021, 01:59 PM)Veggie Wrote: [ -> ]Meanwhile...........I've just nipped another leek head and pondered what would happen if you planted the head - would hundreds of leeklings emerge?
What do you think, O Worshipful Master Leek Shaver?
Dunno, but if you have plenty of seedheads you could maybe create a 'Leek lawn'
Interesting experiment, let me know how you get on.
OK, I'll bury one tomorrow and see what happens. May lean it over into a pot, leaving the mother leek in the ground - and also cut a head and plant it detached.
May the strongest leek win!!
Afternoon folks,
Probably a stupid question
but does the diameter of a leek depend on the size of the hole you plant them in?