Potting on leeks?

[Graham K]

My leeks are up and "running" in the (heated) propagator and are now about three inches high.

I know they should be about the size of a pencil before planting out but what about the in between? Should I leave them in the propagator, in seed compost, until they reach the elusive pencil size or do I pot them on as with other seedlings?

Not sure if it's a daft question or not but so far I haven't found any answers.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks, Graham.

[Capsid]

I don't bother with potting on as I sow into buckets or large pots, mainly because it's easy and also the roots can get quite long making potting on fiddly and maybe unnecessary. That said, I think you will need to pot your leeks on as they won't get to pencil thickness in seed trays.

[Bigmallly]

No question is a daft question Graham, believe me, I've asked plenty. Anyhows, the pencil size is the thickness not the height......just thought I would mention just in case. Have a look below, hope it helps.

How to Grow Leeks From a Seed in a Plant Pot | Garden Guides

[rustylady]

Take them out of the heated propagator now and put them on a windowsill. You need to grow them on, repotting as necessary until you can plant them outside.

[veggiechicken]

Despite being Welsh, I'm a leek failure. My leeks are only chunky fat pencil size now and they've been growing since last year. I tell visitors that they're spring onions. Will try to do better this year!

[Potstubsdustbins]

First things first, remove them from the propagator they don't need/want anymore heat.

It depends on how close they are together as to when you pot on.

Leeks roots are notorious for tangling so I would normally spread a few seeds into a 3" pot, thin and then when required pot on the entire pot. My leeks are used when they get as thick as my thumb so not sure if the above would work if you want show type growth.

Colin

[Maccabee]

Leeks in a heated propagator? Mine spent the afternoon outside in the flash snow storm.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Snap Rusty beat me to it.

Colin

[di]

My leek seeds usually get sown, outside, at the end of a row of whatever I ran out of seeds to complete the row. They stay in a little huddle until I have the space to plant them out in their final home.

Having never started them off indoors, let alone the pampering of a heated propogater, I don't know what to suggest...other than turn the heat button off and gradually get them used to being outside.

[VirginVegGrower]

Despite being Welsh, I'm a leek failure. My leeks are only chunky fat pencil size now and they've been growing since last year. I tell visitors that they're spring onions. Will try to do better this year!

Size matters to you, huh?!?

[Florence Fennel]

I'm trying again this year with leeks, never have managed to get any to the harvest stage, but this year I'm making a determined effort not to forget where I've put them! I've sown in an empty mushroom carton and they're outside. Good luck with yours Graham.

[veggiechicken]

Size matters to you, huh?!?

Don't you consider it to be a bonus, VVG?

[Farmer_Gyles]

definitely let them grow on unheated - they don't need the heat
the propogator may not be deep enough for their roots - you would have been better off just sowing seeds in a large pot
try and lift the whole lot out and plant into a deeper pot or in the ground, preferably without damaging the roots
when your leeks are the thickness of a pencil, lift them, separate them, plant them out into holes - don't backfill, just leave the hole and fill it with water - the leek will grow to fill the hole
this video from monty don shows it quite well
How to plant out leeks - Projects: Fruit and vegetables - gardenersworld.com

[Currysniffa]

This is how I grow my leeks

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Chris! I watched your video and went straight out to the greenhouse, found an unused planter trough thingy, filled it with compost and a packet of leek seeds. If I don't grow pencil thick leeks this year, guess who I''m going to blame!!