Trimming leeks?

[Pigletinho]

Hi, I worked for 5 years in a garden with a lady who was very experienced at growing veg. We always sowed leeks seeds in a pot then pricked them out in to longer pots when they were large enough to handle. After a few weeks more, prior to planting them out, I had to trim the roots and tops of the leeks. Is this still considered good practice? I always thought it slowed the plants down but her opinion was that it formed a stronger, healthier plant. I still do it but was wondering if I should this year. Any advice and opinions would be welcome. Also my daughter and I picked our 1st cucumber this morning!! As it's been too cold to put it outside, it's grown in my dining room!!

[solway cropper]

There are two opposing schools of thought on this. If the roots are long and straggly I trim them just to make it easier to drop them into the planting hole. When I do that I also trim a bit of the leaf to balance things up. Others don't so I suppose it's a question of you pays your money and takes your choice.

[Pigletinho]

Hi, thanks for that. Maybe i'll do half and half and compare them!!

[Snadger]

The idea seems to be that you trim the roots to make them easier to fit into the dibbled hole! Also any long straggly roots will only die anyway so theoretically this should enable new roots to form.
The top trimming is supposed to prevent transpiration from the relatively large leaf area, and stop any 'wind rock' until the new roots establish!

[zazen999]

And, as with all alliums; trimming the roots really does seem to kick start them growing new roots; thus bedding themselves down into their new homes quicker.