Any Leek Variety Suggestions

[Storming Norman]

Hi All,

Just sorting out the seed order for next year. I've discovered this year I love home grown leeks - the flavour is just great so I want to expand my supply for next year.

However I've got a few problems on my plot with leeks and wondered if you had some suggestions from your experience?

There is no problem with growing leeks at home but just 10 mins down the road at the allotment the leeks all have had nasty rust and leek moth, so look pretty sad still.

Which varieties in your experience best cope with these problems?

Thanks.

[ken smith]

I don't know about leek moth as I have never been troubled with it but to beat rust there are some varieties with some resistance. I find the darker leaved varieties best. Also don't overfeed early in the season and give a high potash feed in mid summer to help toughen them up a bit. If I was troubled with leek moth I would use Provado.

[Two_Sheds]

Leek moth here too, really bad.
You have to cover the crop with fleece I'm afraid.

[Snadger]

....................There is no problem with growing leeks at home but just 10 mins down the road at the allotment the leeks all have had nasty rust and leek moth, so look pretty sad still.

Which varieties in your experience best cope with these problems?

Thanks.

Can't do nowt about your leek moth unless you resort to enviromesh I'm afraid, but there are rust tolerant varieties such as Bandit from T&M!
There's probably quite a few more tolerant varieties from different suppliers also!

[chriscross1966]

I had a few autumn giant and Musselburgh in this year and the flavour has been good.... but leek moths casued a lot of damage....they'll get protection next year...

chrisc

[pigletwillie]

Bleu de Solaise,

bombproof, long standing, very very cold tolerant, and even tastier. Its now pretty much the only one I grow.

[Pompeylottie]

I get the leek moth every year, I have spent hours on my knees digging out the moth manually and squashing it which has partial sucess, but a more experienced allotmenteer recently told me to cut the leek right down underneath the moth's entry point and they grow back stronger than ever. I may try next year to cover one half with fleece and cut the other half down to see what gets the best result.

[zazen999]

Bleu de Solaise for me too; virtually indestructible and a lovely colour. I don't get leek moth, but I'm sure one day I will. If so, I'll just fleece them.

[Storming Norman]

Thanks - I will try that variety, also that is a great idea about the cut down to regrow - that sounds like something to try out.

Fleece is an issue on the plot - No-one else uses it and I always wondered why. Well I went down there this weekend and the foxes had crushed every single fleeced hoop and jumped big holes in the fleece. Grrr! They had not jumped on the netting though - perhaps it is a bit higher or perhaps it is the colour of the nets. Went home and that night the foxes crushed the fleece hoops at home with my winter lettuces underneath. Double grrr!

[nick the grief]

Yep I'd go with Bleau de Solaise as well, or Lyon Prizetaker and Musselburgh as I like the flavour of them.

Use Enviromesh rather than fleece - tougher for one thing and better air flow(that'll help with rust) and try using alkathene pipe for your hoops bit sturdier