Leek grass

[Bonjour]

I discovered, behind my greenhouse, some leek plants (Lyon) that got forgotten and never got planted out last year. They've grown through the bottom of the pot they were in and made some skinny twisted little leeks. One of these has a flower spike, on top of which there is the usual seed head but with half a dozen or so leek grass plants, about 3 inches or so long.

I'm just about to sow some Lyon Prizetaker for this year, but it seems to me that if I can root these bulbils, they might give me a few extra-early leeks while waiting for my seed-sown Lyon to come. However, I have no idea about grass leeks and how to take them off the seed head. Any advice welcomed.

[rary]

That's generally how show exhibitors start there leeks though they use their best plants for growing their grass, so if you have some, you have nothing to loose by growing them on and you never know you might get some very good leeks, but I would also sow new seeds as an insurance

[Geordie]

The pips or grass are used by exhibitors as they will be an exact replica of the parent - this is how once you find a ‘great’ leek you keep it going. If you just want leeks then by all means use the pips as they are ahead of seed you would sow now.
Depending on what you have now coming from the leek, exhibitors would cut the head back if most of the pips as the first flush are seeds not bulbils, a bit like giving the seed head a haircut! The leek then goes into overdrive to produce the pips or bulbils as it has lost its seed. Cut the head off with plenty of stalk, stick in in a bowl of diluted bleach for a day, the pips should then come away very easily. Stick in some compost and keep warm to help rooting......off you go as normal after that.

[Bonjour]

Thanks Geordie, I'll give that a go.

There's probably nothing to be gained by cutting off the seed pods, as they've already set, but I might do it anyway and see if anything happens.

I'm guessing we're only talking about a wee spot of bleach in plenty of water?

[Geordie]

Thanks Geordie, I'll give that a go.

I'm guessing we're only talking about a wee spot of bleach in plenty of water?

yes, it’s just to clean them up and get rid of any pests