iffy leek seed germination

[gan heather]

I'm having trouble getting my leek seeds to germinate. I've done 2 or 3 plantings so far and each time it's the same thing...a few germinate quickly and grow fine, but nothing from the rest. The seeds are from 2 different companies, so I don't think it's the quality. They're planted into John Innes and left on the windowsill (I move them into a cold frame when it seems like nothing else is going to happen from the other seeds). I don't have any problems with onion seeds. So any tips for getting leeks to germinate?

[zazen999]

I was reading some research on this [as you do]...and it looks like sometimes, the process of getting the seed out of the seed heads can damage the actual seeds. I now just chop off the flowerheads, in their stars - dry them under the stairs somewhere warm [Alliums like being conditioned] and then use a pair of scissors to chop off the ends ones dry. Then I sow as is. I get a fantastic result! Plus the seed is relatively fresh [my latest sowing is thick and healthy and 2 years old].

I think it's in the processing that we get reduced allium germination.

In another bit of digging, I saw that people were trying to rescue old seed by germinating in a plastic bag with compost/vermiculite and a little seaweed to give them a little boost of nutrient. Worth a try? I use that bottled seaweed extract and I have some old peas to try and bring back to life that are really old....so it's my next step for the ones that don't germinate in soil in the greenhouse.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Ideally, leeks need 70 degrees f bottom heat to germinate with 65 degrees top heat.

[Currysniffa]

I've germinated my leeks outside in a blow away greenhouse (unheated) in a polystyrene box with a polystyrene lid on and covered with a bit of old fleece, there just coming up now and have taken 14 days.

[teakdesk]

I'm having trouble getting my leek seeds to germinate....a few germinate quickly and grow fine, but nothing from the rest. .... They're planted into John Innes...

I had exactly the same with John Innes; same seed in peat based MPC worked fine!!

[chris]

This year I've sown my leeks in MPC. Haven;t had one germinate. Think I'll pick up some more seed sowing compost - and last year I had every single seed germinate... unless the seed is no longer viable?

[gan heather]

Interesting...lots of different opinions. Maybe I'll try the seaweed and vermiculite idea.

[rana]

Hmmmm.....how odd........! I've always found leeks very easy to germinate - even old seed.

[butter fingers]

appears i have the same problem. usually leeks seeds germinate fine for me, but this year about half germinated and i thought old seed and started a new packet. so far not much happening with these either and its getting a bit late in the day for leeks.

[Alan G]

Same problem here.

Everything else (Turnip, Carrots, Salads, Beets, Cabbage) have germinated in MPC in cloches outside.

Except Leeks where only a handful have come through.

Think I'll sow so more tonight seeing as the weather looks promising for the week ahead.

[chris]

found the cause. They were drying out, I noticed tiny roots - but they were drying up. So gave them a damn good soak, and this morning I've a load of little u-bends I think it's because I stuck them in the GH and forgot - over the past coupleof days it's been quite hot in there.

I'm going to buy another packet mind, and sow some just outside in a tray to see... shall try a diff type to see if they taste any different (doubt it, but *shrug*).

[chris]

appears i have the same problem. usually leeks seeds germinate fine for me, but this year about half germinated and i thought old seed and started a new packet. so far not much happening with these either and its getting a bit late in the day for leeks.

what's wrong with 'baby leeks'? they're fashionable in the shops

[Florence Fennel]

I'm growing leeks this year at the request of my daughter who loves them. I sowed them yesterday, so I'm hoping I'm not too late and that I don't have trouble with the germination.

[Kristen]

found the cause. They were drying out, I noticed tiny roots - but they were drying up.

Cling-film the pot until germinated perhaps? (or a piece of old glass) I find that Onions and Leek seed tends to grow roots rather "along" the surface to start with (might be that I don't "bury" them enough ), so they can struggle if they don't have 100% humidity until they manage to get the root into the compost.

[Jaybj18]

Hi I am having same problem, I had 4 little shoots which were green then they turned brown! I watered them well and put some old glass on top in the green house. Having same probs with tomatoes and impatien seeds, marigolds and sunflowers came up fine. I'm new to this as usually cheat and buy plug plants!! Any advice greatly received, I used MPC too.

Thanks in advance

Jay x