Growing leeks for exhibition.

[Aberdeenplotter]

AP which varieties would you grow for exhibition (that are tasty aswell) ?

I grow Pendle Improved as a blanch(long) leek and as I said above will be growing Cumbria Cross as a pot(short and dumpy ) leek. What doesn't end up on the show bench will go in the soup .

For an ordinary kitchen leek, I still think Mussleburghtakes a whole lot of beating.

[Jay22]

Watching with interest, any advice is appreciated! All my leeks ended like pencils last season!

[Snadger]

I am a bit of a 'dabbler' myself. I have two seeded leeks, one of my own strain that i've been using for three years now and one seed leek given to me by the daughter of a good leek grower who died last year. His strain would have died with him if I hadn't seeded one of his daughters leeks, as she had no interest in growing them.
Both leeks were seeded and shaved accordingly and I started some grass off about a month ago. The heads are still standing with lots more grass on them, so before the frosts come I may cut them off and plant up a few more.
I have a dozen leeks of each about matchstick size now and about 4 inches high. Just being a dabbler, these will probably run to seed because of their early planting, but I'll give them a chance anyway.
I must find time to do as you say AP and get another goodly amount potted up. Its surprising how many you get from a single head. I have also left a few flowers to set seed and will try these also in the spring.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Took a photograph this morning of the leeks I put down to seed early in September. Note they are all clearly labeled. Note also there has been a foot or so of growth since planting up

[Aberdeenplotter]

got camera on the go again this morning. here's a pic of some pips throwing roots and now ready for planting up. Not to sure about the plant on the left. There's a hint of brown on part of the root system. If that doesn't rinse off, that pip will end up in the compost bin.