Has anyone ever harvested Babington Leeks

[Jay-ell]

I've got a few Babingtons Leeks growing nicely. You're supposed to be able to harvest them and they regrow - has anyone done this?

What size should they be and what time should you harvest them?

The one on the right looks nearly ready to harvest


Others are coming along but not big enough


This lot is a bunch of bulbils which should be ready to start harvesting next year


When do they throw up their flower stalks and do they still do this if you've harvested the stem? How do the bulbs fare after the tops have been cut off?

[Small pumpkin]

As I can't grow leeks the right way up, I can't help at all.
But they are looking good Jay-ell.

[veggiechicken]

I've never harvested mine as I want to grow a..............wait for it............... a Babington Island
The wild leek is Cardiff's county flower and there's a large colony of them on Flat Holm island where I've done some voluntary work. The leeks there grow to 4-5' with heads the size of errm very big tennis balls. They're a protected species and are counted every year (honest!). I want to grow a clump like that so I'm just propagating more each year until I have a island of my own.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...CqORhfFmkleFmg

[Mr Bones]

As I planted Babo's for the first time recently I'm watching this thread with interest. That leek in pic one looks good Jay-ell. Does anyone know if Babington's are affected by leek moth or allium miner? (I'm really hoping they're not).

[Jay-ell]

I've never harvested mine as I want to grow a..............wait for it............... a Babington Island
The wild leek is Cardiff's county flower and there's a large colony of them on Flat Holm island where I've done some voluntary work. The leeks there grow to 4-5' with heads the size of errm very big tennis balls. They're a protected species and are counted every year (honest!). I want to grow a clump like that so I'm just propagating more each year until I have a island of my own.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...CqORhfFmkleFmg

Ten grand a leek - and I thought Suttons were expensive

Babington Island - sounds like a lost world type of thing. Is it going to be in a sea of dinosaur Kale?

I think that I'll sow the seeds I have for Babington leek this weekend. I know that the reproduce by bulbils but apparently they occasionally set a few seeds. It'll be interesting to see what I end up with - although I reckon it'll be 2 to 3 years to know definitely if they are Babingtons

[veggiechicken]

Just for you, I rowed over to Babington island just as a squall from the west sprung up and soaked my boat!!

Spot the leeks emerging through the weeds! Not weeded in case I chopped off any baby Babbies



Seedlings that will join the islanders soon.

[Jay-ell]

By the way VC, how long have you had your babingtons and how big is the island so far?

[veggiechicken]

I acquired a couple of fully grown leeks about 4 years ago and a handful of bulbils and have been growing them on from those. Planetologist has also sent bulbils in the All in Seedcircle so some of the seedlings will be his. I've just sown another trayful from last year's bulbils.
You mentioned seed - I've found some in the flower heads, once they're dry and crispy. Some of the seedlings may be from seed.
The island isn't very big - no idea really! Once all the young leeks are up I'll weed the bed and you'll have better idea (so will I).

[Jay-ell]

Last year I bought some bulbs from Pennards and Poyntzfield Herb and 15 bulbils on eBay. Ended up with 4 bulbs (3 of which have sent up multiple stems) and a bag of 75 bulbils

Looks like next year I'm going to have to have a complete bed dedicated to Babingtons

[Dalrimple]

are these like elephant garlic ? atb Dal

[Jay-ell]

Babington Leeks are related to elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum) but are distinctly different. Both are variations of Allium ampeloprasum, along with Kurrat and Oerprie. Garden Leek is a cultivated form Allium ampeloprasum var Porum

[Jay-ell]

Does anyone know if Babington's are affected by leek moth or allium miner? (I'm really hoping they're not).

AFAIK Leek Moth is around during the summer/autumn months. I think these will die down during the summer so miss the most of them.

Allium leaf miner is probably going to be more of a problem as it's active during the main growing times of perennial leeks.

I have read on some sites that they aren't as susceptible but that seemed to be a subjective view of the people authoring the articles who often didn't go into details or possible not have annual leeks to be able to compare damage against on a season by season basis.

[Mr Bones]

Thanks Jay-ell, keeping my fingers crossed

[Jay-ell]

Well, I took the plunge today and harvested the big one, digging down and cutting it off above the bulb. Done the same with one of my Elephant Garlics to compare.

Popped a post on my blog about them if you'd like to read more and see how they compared.

Now I have to wait and see if they grow back or flower this year and if the bulbs will still be viable in the autumn.

[Mr Bones]

Just read your blog Jay-ell, that's really interesting. I've got plenty of ellie garlic in so I'll give them a go cutting some as leeks.