Why won't my leeks grow thicker stems?
Written by
Olivia Mitchell
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Thin leek stems disappoint amateur growers after months of dedicated care. This commonly arises from four specific growing mistakes. Eliminating these spindly clumps transforms them into mighty harvests. Attention here should be paid to blanching methods, plant spacing, fertility, and moisture levels. All markedly control stem diameter!
Blanching Issues
- Shallow planting prevents proper stem whitening
- Start hilling when plants reach 6 inches tall
- Use cardboard collars for container grown leeks
Spacing Problems
- Crowding reduces light and nutrient access
- Maintain 6-8 inches between plants minimum
- Thin seedlings early for strongest specimens
Nutrient Management
- Phosphorus deficiency limits cellular expansion
- Apply balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer at planting
- Side-dress with nitrogen at 6 week intervals
Your spacing affects root development and your sunning exposure. Place your plants next to each other, being careful not to plant them too closely together. Take your distances carefully when transplanting, removing the weakest little things before they become a nuisance in the border. Plant intensively, and remember to feed and water your seedlings accordingly. Give your plants according to the size of your border or the length of your vegetables.
Nutrient deficiencies appear as thin stems. Leeks need a balanced diet throughout their growing time. Test your soil before planting to determine what nutrients you may be missing. Phosphorus will likely be key to getting stems to thicken. Fertilizer can be applied once at planting and again at mid-season. Compost tea is an organic option suitable for a gentle, long-term feed.
Water stress results in permanent growth checks. Deliver 1 inch weekly via drip irrigation. Sandy soils benefit from closer intervals than clay. Test soil moisture at each water tree's roots regularly. Soils are more evenly moist under mulch; watering should occur immediately during drought periods.
Depending on the variety selected, some will have greater potential thickness than others. Select a variety noted for strong growth, such as 'Tadorna' or 'Bandit', and avoid selecting one labeled as 'baby leeks' unless you intend to grow small stems. Select a variety suitable for your particular climate, as results will depend much on this. Some sorts will always give thicker stems than others.
Read the full article: 10 Essential Steps for Growing Leeks
