Crook stage

[Fezinio]

Hi all,

My onions and leeks are at the crook stage in my propagator what do I have to do now?

I know my sound a silly question but I am new to this game so the simplest of instructions will be appreciated.

Many thanks

Fezinio

[rustylady]

How close are they together? I usually sow mine in cell trays, and just thin out the unwanted ones, but if they are close together in a single tray or pot, you will have to transplant (or prick them out) to give them room to grow on.

[Benacre]

Pot on into seperate pots and get them mature enough for hardingoff in the cold frame in Late March. see my Blog "Benacres Plot" there is a photo of mine ready for potting

[Jaxom]

Prick the seedlings out and transplant them into larger/deeper trays making sure you space them out so that there is at least an inch between each onion/leek seedling.
If you have a greenhouse or plastic mini greenhouse, store them on shelves or staging in a well-lit area that is not too warm. You want to keep the seedlings cool but not cold. Too high a temperature may cause them to bolt and go to seed. Later as out side temperatures rise in the spring you can start to harden them off before planting out in their final position.
My onions are in an unheated greenhouse with daytime temps of 10 degrees.

[Fezinio]

Thanks for a speedy reply all.

One thing though. Do I let the seedling grow out naturally or do i have to pick out the crook.

I hope you can understand what i am try to say lol.

[Benacre]

No leave the crook the plants will straighten up in time. They are at their most vunerable now so handle them by the tip of the leaves and try not to touch the stem too much