Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum
Amaryllidaceae
Leek
Erect, edible herb (vegetable ) with a poorly developed bulb, growing to 1m (3 feet). 6-9 flat keeled leaves. Flowers in umbells.
Uses
Harvest 7 months after planting when the base is 2.5-5cm (1-2 inches) thick. Pull the whole plant from the ground.
Can be stored for up to a month in the refrigerator.
Used in a variety of cooked dishes.
Culture
Best suited to cold climates, they are planted in summer for maturing in winter.
Prefers fertile, lightly textured soil. Add sand and compost to clay soils. Apply liquid manure regularly. Phosphorous is very important for growth. Soil pH should be 6.5-7.0
Cutting the tap root will reduce the chances of the plant going to seed in warmer climates.
Stems can be blanched by placing soil or a cover around the stem.
http://www.sfc.ucdavis.edu/cgi-win/spec_crop.exe/show_crop&ID=8
http://osu.orst.edu/Dept/NWREC/leek.html
Cultivars
Many cultivars available including the following better known ones:
'Carentan': A long stemmed French variety.
'King Richard': A cold tolerant variety.
'Lyon Prizetaker': Long, thick pure white stems.
'Musselburgh': Old and well known variety and overall good performer.
'Welsh Wonder': A fast maturing popular commercial variety.
Plant Health
Can suffer attack by aphis, thrips, maggots and cut worms. Too much
water can promote fungal problems, including downy mildew, fusarium and
botrytis.
More info
'Home Vegetable Growing' and 'Commercial Vegetable Growing' courses through Australian Correspondence Schools, see www.acs.edu.au/hort.
'Commercial Hydroponics' on CDROM from Australian Correspondence Schools, see www.acs.edu.au/shop
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