1 x packet of (70+) Sand leek bulbils / bulblets.
The sand leek (Allium scorodoprasum), also known as rocambole leek and this species should not be confused with rocambole garlic, which is Allium. sativum var. ophioscorodon.
These bulbils have been harvested from mature sand leek plants (planted 20 months ago). They are dry like any bulb and can be be planted at your leisure but straight away is best. They make a very decorative plant in a garden and can be harvested after a year or so as baby leeks. if left to flower they will form bulbils (see pictures).
They are quite strong in flavour and the plant or the bulb can be cooked with. These are leeks NOT garlic and will grow nto a maximum thickness of around 15mm if fed well and will bolt to flower in the summer..
They are currently growing outdoors in Aberdeen and are NOT under cover so can handle the hardest of UK frosts (however, the first winter they would benefit from some shelter / protection.
Plant them 1-2cm below the soil surface you will have good results. They benefit from well drained soil and good feeding.
A member of the Love life® "WALKY LEEKS" product range .
They need a rich well fed soil to thrive and grow into decent "baby" leeks. Keep the soil around the plants free from weeds and let them flower and mature right through to end autumn / early winter if you want bulbils. When flower and the foliage recedes, the plant will form multiple bulbs below the surface and these will grow into new leeks the following year, half the time it takes for the bulbils to mature.
The soil born bulbs are hardy and need no frost protection. These leeks coming from the base of the leeks plants are a whole season in front of the "baby bulbs" / leek bulbils coming from the flower.
(PLEASE READ BELOW)
Leeks are one of the most amazing and versatile members of the allium family and I am as intrigued as the famous botanist, Charles Cardale Babington was in his era when he selectively grew and established the "Babington (sand) Leek (Allium Ampeloprasum" which has been named after him (var. Allium Babingtonii).
THESE ARE NOT BABINGTON LEEKS AND NOT SAND GARLIC.
The sand leek (Allium scorodoprasum), also known as rocambole leek and this species should not be confused with rocambole garlic, which is Allium. sativum var. ophioscorodon.
These are NOT Babington leeks and they are grown from bulbils (see photos) but do please note, as they are not ordinary leeks either.
If you don't want to eat them, they also make pretty "artwork" flowers in a garden / flower bed and are extremely attractive to bees and butterflies when in flower.
Harvest the leeks when it suits you, to use as bunching/ green onion garnish, these are available most of the year and can be encouraged by planting the bulbs at regular intervals (time) rather than all at once.
(please look at all the photos to get a better understanding)
Know your allium / onion family. Bulbil size is NOT particularly important (when one considers how small a seed is in comparison) but leeks need good rich feeding and husbandry in a well drained soil.
The smallest bulbs will produce large leeks and flower heads if looked after properly, well fed and weeded.
The whole plant is edible at most stages in the year. The only time it's not is when it is bolting to flower and even the bulbs themselves are a delicacy.
But even if you are not into the eating of them, they really are a fascinating plant to grow.
These are one of the most interesting allium (onion family) plants we grow.
As well as being great for spring soups etc. (we start eating the stalks / leaves and using them from early September through to May) we tend to cut them at the base of the stalk (below the soil line) if we want them to grow on / forth and multiply rather than dig them out unless we don't want them to grow there next year.
The bulbs can be harvested and we also use them in chutneys & soups.
However, in the first couple of seasons, one wants to leave most of the mother plants / bulbs in situ. to get well established for next year.
3L
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