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Leek is valued for its spicy taste, rich vitamin composition and easy care. The culture is resistant to frost and tolerates the climatic conditions of Siberia. For planting choose onion varieties that are resistant to temperature fluctuations, diseases and pests.
General characteristics
Leek is a herbaceous biennial, growing to a height of 1 m. After planting, the plant forms a root system and a false bulb during the year. The stem has green leaves.
The following year, the onion produces flower stalks, and seeds ripen in autumn. A feature of leek is resistance to cold and demanding watering.
The onion and shoots of the plant are eaten. The palatability of onions is high, depending on the variety of leeks, it has a spicy or sweetish aftertaste. The culture contains vitamins, microelements, protein. When stored in the bulbs, the concentration of vitamin C increases.
Leek is used fresh, it is added to snacks, salads, soups and main dishes. The culture is useful for lack of vitamins, overwork, metabolic disorders in the body, rheumatism, gout. The use of the plant is limited in diseases of the kidneys, stomach, bladder.
Top Grades
For growing leeks in Siberia, frost-resistant varieties are chosen that can tolerate temperature fluctuations. To obtain an early harvest, varieties are planted that ripen at the end of summer. The most productive is the leek, ready for harvest in the middle or late periods.
early ripening
Early varieties of leeks ripen in August-September. Such varieties of onions are distinguished by narrow green leaves and a small stalk.
Goliaf
The onion variety Goliath is grown only by seedlings. The plant is of medium height, the length of the white “leg” is up to 30 cm. The leek forms powerful bushes, it needs a constant supply of moisture. The onion crop is kept in a cool place for no more than 5-6 months.
Elephant’s trunk
A variety of medium early maturation. The period from germination to harvest takes 140 days. The height of the onion is 60-70 cm. The bleached part is 15-30 cm long. The mass of the onion is up to 200 g. The variety is valued for its good taste and long-term storage for 4-5 months. Elephant trunk onion is used fresh in cooking.
Columbus
Leek Columbus is recommended for fresh use or canning. The variety is rich in vitamins. The leaves are densely arranged, grow up to 80 cm in length. The white part of the bulb reaches 15 cm and is formed without hilling. Plant weight up to 400 g. The variety needs constant watering, it reacts positively to the introduction of nitrogen.
medium ripening
Leek, ripening in the middle terms, has a lower yield compared to early varieties. These varieties are of high quality. When growing leeks in Siberia, medium-ripening varieties are harvested in September.
Kazimir
A tall variety bred in Germany. Ripening occurs in 180 days. The plant forms a false stem up to 25 cm high and 3 cm thick. The Kazimir variety is characterized by increased productivity. The variety is resistant to fungal diseases. During storage, onion stalks become more juicy.
Tango
Mid-early variety of leeks. Maturation occurs over a period of up to 150 days. The leaves are rich green, the stems are long and powerful. The Tango onion variety is valued for the high quality of the “legs”. The plant is resistant to cold snaps and brings a high yield in an unfavorable climate.
Camus
Fast-growing productive grade, differs in a long white stalk, up to 50 cm in height. Onion Camus grows on moist soils enriched with humus. When planted in sandy soil, the variety needs abundant watering. The variety is characterized by increased resistance to disease.
late ripening
Late varieties of leek in Siberia mature over a period of over 180 days. Such varieties are highly productive and have a long shelf life.
Late onions are identified by large leaves with a waxy coating, located tightly on the stem. The onion stalk is usually dense and shortened. Harvesting is possible before the onset of sub-zero temperatures.
Karantansky
Leek late ripening with increased resistance to frost. The plant is 90 cm high. The false stem is 25 cm long and 6 cm in diameter. The taste is spicy with a slight sharpness. Suitable for winter planting. The onion variety Karantansky reacts positively to top dressing.
Autumn giant
Powerful leek, reaching a height of 1,2 m. The leaves are large and flat, reaching 80 cm in length. The shoot is large, bleached, up to 8 cm in size. The autumn giant onion variety requires good lighting and regular watering. Plants are leveled, stored for a long time, rich in vitamins.
Alligator
Tall late-ripening variety. The leaves are wide, reach 80 cm in length. The false stem reaches 5 cm in diameter. Leek Alligator has a semi-sharp taste, demanding on light and moisture. The variety has high productivity, long shelf life.
Growing in Siberia
Leek planting in Siberia at home is performed in late February or early March. Planting material and soil are preliminarily prepared. After warming, the plants are transferred to the beds in the greenhouse or under the open sky.
Seed and soil preparation
For planting onions, containers 10-15 cm high are used. The plant has long roots, so it is provided with conditions for growth. The dishes are washed with hot water and additionally treated with a solution of potassium permanganate.
The soil for onions is prepared by combining garden soil and humus. It is steamed in a water bath for disinfection or kept at sub-zero temperatures on the balcony.
The soil is placed in containers and moistened. Onion seeds are planted in 3 mm increments, leaving 8 mm between rows. To speed up seed germination, cover plantings with polyethylene. Shoots will appear in 10-14 days.
Care of seedlings
When shoots appear, leeks are placed in a lighted place. The root system is protected from hypothermia. To do this, put the containers on a foam base.
The development of leek seedlings provides certain care:
- regular ventilation of the room;
- keeping the soil moist;
- daily temperature 18-20 °С;
- night temperature regime 12-15 °С.
For watering onions use warm settled water. It is most convenient to use a spray gun and spray moisture over the soil surface. If the onion has risen thickly, it is weeded.
The grown seedlings are fed with a solution consisting of 2 g of urea, 2 g of potassium sulfide and 4 g of superphosphate per 1 liter of water. The solution is watered onion seedlings under the root.
3 weeks before transfer to an open area, leeks are hardened in the fresh air. First, a window is opened in the room for 2 hours, then the landings are transferred to the balcony. Hardening allows plants to better tolerate transplantation and adapt to natural conditions.
Landing in the ground
A place for planting a crop begins to prepare in the fall. The site is selected sunny and protected from the wind. Leek prefers loamy soils fertilized with organic matter.
Onions are grown after legumes, herbs, cabbage, tomatoes and potatoes. In autumn, the site is dug up, humus or compost is introduced. Leeks are planted in late May or early June, when the seedlings are 50-60 days old. It is necessary to wait for the soil and air to warm up.
In the spring, the soil is loosened and furrows are made with a depth of 15 cm and a step of 30 cm. Wood ash is poured into the bottom of each furrow.
How to plant leeks:
- The soil with seedlings is watered abundantly.
- Plants are taken out of containers, the root system is shortened to 4 cm.
- Bulbs are placed in furrows with a step of 20 cm.
- The roots of plants are covered with earth and watered abundantly.
If there is a possibility of return frosts, the plants are covered with agrofibre for the night. In the morning, the covering material is removed.
Care culture
Growing and caring for leeks in Siberia includes watering, weeding and loosening the soil. To obtain a high yield, the crop is fed with organic matter and complex fertilizers.
Watering
Leek is watered abundantly, preventing the soil from drying out. Moisture should not accumulate in the soil and cause root rot.
For watering the culture, warm water, settled in barrels, is used. Drops of water should not remain on the onion shoots.
After watering the onion, the soil is weeded and loosened for better penetration of moisture and oxygen. Leek must be spudded to obtain a white stalk. The soil is mulched with humus to reduce the intensity of watering.
Additional fertilizing
When growing leeks in Siberia, plantings are fed with minerals and organic matter. The first treatment is carried out a week after the transfer to the ground, further – every 2 weeks.
Feeding options for leeks:
- 5 g of urea and 3 g of potassium sulfate per 5 liters of water;
- slurry diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10;
- solution of bird droppings 1:15.
The use of minerals is alternated with organic fertilizers. Wood ash is a universal top dressing for onions. It is introduced into the soil during hilling in the amount of 1 cup per 1 sq. m beds.
Protection against diseases and pests
Subject to the rules for growing and caring for leeks in Siberia, they are rarely exposed to diseases. With excessive moisture, rust, powdery mildew and other fungal diseases develop.
To protect plantings from the spread of the fungus, spraying with Fitosporin solution is carried out. When signs of damage appear, copper chloride is used. All onion treatments are completed 3 weeks before harvest.
Leek attracts onion fly, weevil and other pests. Insects are repelled by strong odors. Landings are treated with ground black pepper or tobacco dust. Celery and herbs are planted between rows with onions.
Cleaning and storage
Onions are harvested until the temperature drops to -5 ° C. The bulbs are dug up in dry weather and cleaned from the ground. Green shoots are not pruned, otherwise the bulb will dry out.
Leeks are best stored in boxes filled with sand. Plants are placed vertically. The containers are left in the cellar, basement or other cool room. Depending on the variety, the onion shelf life is 4-6 months.
Conclusion
In Siberia, leeks are grown by seedling method. First, soil and planting material are prepared at home. Seedlings are kept in a warm, well-lit place. When the onion grows up, it is transferred to open areas. Leek responds positively to regular watering, loosening the soil and top dressing. The crop is harvested before frost.
