Advice needed on leek pips

[Incy]

Hi all,
Leek pips (I think that's what they're called) have been mentioned on here a number of times but despite much searching I haven't managed to find guidance on how to create them.
I know they come from the leek flower heads but how exactly and when do you cut/shave them.
Many thanks in advance for all advice.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Incy,

let the flowerhead fully develop, then with a scissors, just trim off every last flower stalk. The plant will then develop grass/pips for you. Leave the grass as long as you can on the head, November if you can, then remove the head with a bit of stalk and fully immerse in a solution of domestos or other good bleach in water. I use 50:1 but some people use it as strongs as 10 :1. Leave for a couple of days and that will get rid of any pathogens clinging to the pips and also make them very easy to separate from the head.

[Incy]

Thanks Aberdeen plotter. So if I have understood correctly it is the flowery bit that gets removed leaving it's base for the pips to develop on?
I have a few leeks that have thrown up flower heads so thought it would be fun to try this out.

[zazen999]

Once the head has opened you can just shave all the flowers off. Then you should get the bulbils growing.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Thanks Aberdeen plotter. So if I have understood correctly it is the flowery bit that gets removed leaving it's base for the pips to develop on?
I have a few leeks that have thrown up flower heads so thought it would be fun to try this out.

The idea is to achieve vegetative propogation. Each grass/bulbil should therefore be an exact clone of the parent plant, unlike from seed where the child plant can be variable. This is of no value for the kitchen but for exhibition where uniformity carries pointage, it is of some import.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Thanks Aberdeen plotter. So if I have understood correctly it is the flowery bit that gets removed leaving it's base for the pips to develop on?
I have a few leeks that have thrown up flower heads so thought it would be fun to try this out.

Oh, and that is a yes.

[Incy]

Thanks guys.
The leeks in question are far from show standard, however I was intrigued by this method so am now looking forward to finding out whether I can get it right.

[veggiechicken]

As I have a clump of leeks about to flower I thought I might try this. When would I expect to be able to plant these leek pips out? Would it be later this year, the same as the scrawny leek seedlings that I have waiting in the wings?

[Snadger]

As I have a clump of leeks about to flower I thought I might try this. When would I expect to be able to plant these leek pips out? Would it be later this year, the same as the scrawny leek seedlings that I have waiting in the wings?

Mine usually get started about Ocober, long after I've planted out my seed grown leeks?

[Jeanied]

I am wondering about this shaving business - so how do you do that? I have taken the scissors to the leek flowers before but never a razor! I can't see how that would work.

Sometimes the flower head sends off grass without any shaving at all.

[zazen999]

I am wondering about this shaving business - so how do you do that? I have taken the scissors to the leek flowers before but never a razor! I can't see how that would work.

Sometimes the flower head sends off grass without any shaving at all.

Mine are just about to flower Jeanie - as soon as they do I'll take photos of how to do it and pop it on line for you. I need to buy an SD card reader anyway.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Snadge and Zaz. If you use this year's leek flowers - will you expect to have harvestable leeks next spring?

[zazen999]

Yes, but they are smaller than ones grown from seed.

Think more 'baby leeks' than big whopping leeks.

[veggiechicken]

Baby leeks sound just right, not that I ever manage to grow big whoppers
Since I have one Babington leek in flower and forming bulbils I was curious to know whether normal leeks do the same. I presume that bulbils and pips are the same thing

[zazen999]

Yup, got it in one.