Leek seed germination.

[Scoot]

I just can't get these little sods to germinate. Everything else seems to be germinating fine, except these. I have 12 modules with 2 seeds in each and a month and a bit later, still nothing, not even 1. I've even now tried putting some on wet paper towels and still nothing.

Is there a certain way of doing it? How long does it normally take?

Perhaps the seeds are just knackered.

[Guest]

How old are the seeds? Onion and leek seeds tend to have a short shelf life around a couple of years at best.

[veggiechicken]

How old are the seeds, Scoot? Real seeds say 3 years is the limit How long vegetable seeds can be stored

Snap NG

[Alison]

Also where are you germinating them? I do mine in 5" pots with plastic propagator lids in the cool conservatory then move outside without the lauds after germination into a cold greenhouse before growing on prior to pricking out etc. tend to germinate in about a week that way, even with seeds about 5 years old.

[Bren In Pots]

My leeks are in the airing cupboard they not popped up yet but its only been a a week so probably another week to go.

[Valleyman]

In my experience leeks ted to be one of the easiest things to germinate for me, even in cold temperatures down to 10C.

What variety are they? Some varieties have taken 3-4 weeks to come up for me before.

My money is on them being knackered tho.

[Scoot]

I ordered them off amazon only this year. Can't remember what kind they are either. They have been on my window cill since the start of February, but still absolutely nothing. Looks like they are knackered. Bloody rip off haha!

[Scoot]

Think I will be ordering some more. Any tips on the best sorts?

[Kristen]

I've even now tried putting some on wet paper towels and still nothing.

They are duff. Get your money back

Think I will be ordering some more. Any tips on the best sorts?

Mussleburgh is a common favourite. Its open-pollinated/heritage, so seed is cheap or you'll get lots of seed in a packet!

I like Carlton F1 as I think they grow more consistently fat.

[KevinM67]

I've tried growing my leeks a bit differently this year.

I've used 3 round plastic chocolate tins (celebrations, heroes, etc.) with holes drilled in the bottom and the lids used as trays. The hope is that the extra depth might get them to pencil thickness before planting out.

Mainly filled them with last year's mpc, mixed with some growmore - and with a couple of centimetres of seed compost on top. I keep them on a cold south facing window sill.

After a couple of weeks, they have come up a treat.

[kathyd]

I've had leeks take weeks to germinate in the past - so long that I've given up on them and sown more, then finally they come thru! So even if you sow more, hang onto the pots you've already got and wait and see .

[Bohobumble]

... then move outside without the lauds after germination into a cold greenhouse ...

Lauds

are prayers not needed at that point?

[Scoot]

They are duff. Get your money back



Mussleburgh is a common favourite. Its open-pollinated/heritage, so seed is cheap or you'll get lots of seed in a packet!

I like Carlton F1 as I think they grow more consistently fat.

Thanks, i'll buy some of those and give them a try.

[Kristen]

Just in case not apparent:

The F1 Carlton is more expensive because it is F1. You will pay more for a packet, AND get fewer seeds (although if you are sowing them in a container you'll get enough germination / transplants for a crop; if you are sowing them direct, outside, you might not and (price apart) Mussleburgh might be better as qty wll enable you to have poor germination, outside, and still have plenty of plants )

[bario1]

Have you started yours yet, Kristen?