THE NATIONAL POT LEEK SOCIETY

In conjunction with The North of England Horticultural Championship Show 2010 will be held on 18th September (9.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.) & 19th September 2010 (9.30 a.m. - 1.30 p.m.)!

All exhibits to be benched between 1.00 - 9.00 p.m. on Friday 17th September 2010.

This winter from mid December through to mid January we have had to suffer one of the coldest periods of bad weather for over 25 years and this was after such a good start in the greenouses in November of 2009.  There will be many shocks when the fuel bills start to come in with the general rise in the price of fuel, whatever type of domestic and leisure fuel being used.  I'm changing my home meter to accommodate the heavy increase in overnight heating in the greenhouse with my supplier, where the tariff works out much cheaper overnight with only a smaller increase per unit during the day.  This arrangement by the way is for over sixties or people on benefits or credits.  Traditionally as the sunrays get stronger and the days begin to noticeably lengthen we can still expect lower temperature's occurring from the end of January or the beginning of February.  With the presence of grey overcast skies and lower light levels, the overnight temperatures may not rise above freezing anywhere thoughout the country.  This is a time when many of you who have invested in grow lights and culture cabinets will find an increase benefit in plant growth as light is the most important aspect for plant development.  Previously over the years our late vice president and former secretary Alec Waite wrote many times in his articles with regard to the important than in our own plant culture of the show leek where the aim is for the healthy green tissue on the flags.  Throughout the growth and development of the leek, where the chlorophyll contained in the leaves (flags) of the plants is important. 

I have always maintained that leek shows are won in the greenhouse and with continual good practice to ensure that the best results from the trench or leek bed to show bench.  Exhibitors who buy established leek plants in early season when they are available from whom I call good growers that do not let plants leave there care until the plant is ready to go.  Mid November to me is about right and if you receive well matured, good healthy developing plants grown with TLC when the grower will turn out the pot and show you the root growth, disease free and form is essential.  The increasein size must be steadily maintained, the centre of the leek, the growing tip should always be exposed, especially if you are growing blanch leeks.  Regular potting on is most important, every three to four weeks at best with increased pot size.  Make a hole in the new ot firm all round, the formed root will drop into plance, place the cleaned smaller pot under the sized up pot to protect the foliage.  If you are using roudn containers the flags will drop between the pots away from contact with the soil, this was a method I picked up from Tom Race.  Foremost great attention is essential when it comes to the watering of your plants especially in glasshouse.  The drawback of using soil less or peat based composts is that controlled watering can be neglected, too little or too much can result in serious setbacks.

Once again best wishes to you all and hope to see many of you at the AGM.

Regards and best wishes.

Ernie Lightfoot