Topic: transplanting leeks

[RenishawPhil]

Our leeks won't be that far of transplanting.

Last year we suffered leak rust in one bed and leek moth in the other!!!

Who trims the tops when they transplant theirs? Never done that before but just been reading about it

[BarriedaleNick]

I don't but my leeks are always terrible so it may be time to start.  Was it recommended?

[RenishawPhil]

I don't but my leeks are always terrible so it may be time to start.  Was it recommended?

Just seen it on gardeners world

[BarriedaleNick]

I get moth and rust on mine so anything that may help would be great!

[RenishawPhil]

I get moth and rust on mine so anything that may help would be great!

Not sure if trimming will help that but this year we are growing them ALL under fleece, to stop the moth, it was really annoying last year

[grannyjanny]

I think Pansy Potter grew theirs under IKEA nets to prevent problems & it worked.

[Belladay]

I always cut the roots and tops before planting my leeks.

[davyw1]

I always top and tail my pot leeks.
The reason for doing this is to create a bigger root system and to force the inner leaves to grow.

[Pescador]

Thanks Davy. That's the first justification for doing it that I've heard.
I'm starting to challenge some of the constantly quoted, and rarely justified mantras that get regurgitated ad nauseam, such as comfrey tea, old parsnip seed.
I've already sown some 1 year old parsnip alongside this years, and hope to use comfrey tea on half the plot and a commercial liquid feed on the other to try and judge the difference.
Reference trimming leeks, I don't normally do it, however I've got a batch of seedlings that will be ready to plant in July, so I'll do a trim/no trim trial as well.

[gavinjconway]

Top and Tail... There are many people for and against this .... but in the end the consensus is it doesn't make any difference at all..

[Digeroo]

I grew leeks under ikea nets last year.  First time in three years I did not have moth.  Very pleased with the result.

They were just draped over, and as leeks grew they just pushed them upwards. Blew off a couple of times, but seems moths not active in strong wind.   Now weigh things down with bottles of water.

[strawberry1]

I have always topped and tailed but it made no difference. I use washed nets every year and can keep the dreaded moth at bay but rust got them last year and the year before. I have given them more room this year but am not holding my breath

[aj]

Thanks Davy. That's the first justification for doing it that I've heard.
I'm starting to challenge some of the constantly quoted, and rarely justified mantras that get regurgitated ad nauseam, such as comfrey tea, old parsnip seed.
I've already sown some 1 year old parsnip alongside this years, and hope to use comfrey tea on half the plot and a commercial liquid feed on the other to try and judge the difference.
Reference trimming leeks, I don't normally do it, however I've got a batch of seedlings that will be ready to plant in July, so I'll do a trim/no trim trial as well.

I don't think that you can say that comfrey tea is 'rarely justified' as it is about one of the most researched horticultural 'mantras' ever.

[Pescador]

aj, could you give me a link to some of the research, please?