Content
Leeks are prized for their savory taste, rich vitamin content and simple care... The culture is frost-resistant and tolerates the climatic conditions of Siberia. For landing choose onion varieties that are resistant to temperature fluctuations, diseases and pests.
General characteristics
Leek is a herbaceous biennial, growing up to 1 m in height. After planting, the plant forms a root system and a false bulb within a year. There are green leaves on the stem.
The next year, the onion produces flower stalks, and the seeds ripen in autumn. A feature of leeks is resistance to cold and demanding watering.
The onion and shoots of the plant are eaten. Taste qualities of onions are high, depending on the variety, leeks have a sharp or sweetish aftertaste. The culture contains vitamins, minerals, protein. When stored in bulbs, the concentration of vitamin C increases.
Leeks are used fresh and are added to appetizers, salads, soups and main courses. Culture is useful for a lack of vitamins, overwork, metabolic disorders in the body, rheumatism, gout. The use of the plant is limited for diseases of the kidneys, stomach, bladder.
The best varieties
For growing leeks in Siberia, frost-resistant varieties are chosen that can withstand temperature fluctuations. To obtain a harvest at an early date, varieties that ripen at the end of summer are planted. The most productive is the leek, ready for harvesting in the middle to late periods.
Early ripening
Early leek varieties ripen in August-September. These types of onions are distinguished by narrow green leaves and a small stalk.
Goliath
The Goliath onion variety is grown only in seedlings. The plant is of medium height, the length of the white "leg" is up to 30 cm. Leeks form powerful bushes and require a constant supply of moisture. The onion crop is kept in a cool place for no more than 5-6 months.
Elephant's trunk
Medium-early ripening variety. The period from germination to harvesting of the crop takes 140 days. The height of the onion is 60-70 cm. The bleached part is 15-30 cm long. The weight of the onion is up to 200 g. The variety is appreciated for its good taste and long-term storage for 4-5 months. Onions The trunk of an elephant is used fresh in cooking.
Columbus
Columbus leeks are recommended for fresh use or canning. The variety is rich in vitamins. The leaves are densely arranged, growing 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, reacts positively to nitrogen application.
Medium ripening
Leeks, which ripen in the middle of the season, have 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.
Casimir
Tall variety, originated in Germany. Ripening takes 180 days. The plant forms a false stem up to 25 cm high and 3 cm thick. The Kazimir variety is distinguished by increased productivity. The variety is resistant to fungal diseases. When stored, the onion stalks become more juicy.
Tango
A medium early variety of leeks.Ripening takes place 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 "leg". The plant is resistant to cold snaps and yields high yields in unfavorable climates.
Camus
A fast-growing fruitful variety, it is distinguished by a long white stalk, up to 50 cm in height. Onion Kamus grows in moist soils enriched with humus. When planted in sandy soil, the variety needs abundant watering. The variety is characterized by increased disease resistance.
Late ripening
Late varieties of leeks in Siberia ripen over a period of over 180 days. Such varieties are highly productive and have a long shelf life.
Late onions are identified by their large, waxy leaves, densely packed on the stem. The stalk of the onion is usually dense and short. Harvesting is possible before sub-zero temperatures.
Karantansky
Late ripening leeks with increased frost resistance. Plant 90 cm high. False stem 25 cm long and 6 cm in diameter. Spicy taste with slight pungency. Suitable for planting before winter. The Karantansky onion variety responds positively to feeding.
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, reaching 80 cm in length. The false stem reaches 5 cm in diameter. Leek Alligator has a semi-sharp taste, picky about light and moisture. The variety is highly productive and has a long shelf life.
Growing in Siberia
Planting leeks 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 subzero 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 the planting with plastic. Seedlings will appear in 10-14 days.
Seedling care
When shoots appear, leeks are placed in a lighted place. The root system is protected from hypothermia. To do this, place containers on a foam base.
The development of leek seedlings provides certain care:
- regular ventilation of the room;
- keeping the soil moist;
- daytime 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 bottle and spray moisture over the surface of the soil. 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 sulphide and 4 g of superphosphate per 1 liter of water. The solution is poured over onion seedlings under the root.
Leeks are hardened in the fresh air 3 weeks before being transferred to an open area. First, the window is opened in the room for 2 hours, then the planting is transferred to the balcony. Hardening allows plants to better tolerate transplanting and adapt to natural conditions.
Landing in the ground
The site for planting crops begins to be prepared in the fall. The plot is selected sunny and sheltered from the wind. Leeks prefer loamy soils fertilized with organic matter.
Onions are grown after legumes, herbs, cabbage, tomatoes and potatoes. In the fall, 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 15 cm deep and 30 cm in increments. Wood ash is poured at the bottom of each furrow.
Leek planting procedure:
- The soil with seedlings is watered abundantly.
- Plants are removed from containers, the root system is shortened to 4 cm.
- The bulbs are placed in furrows in 20 cm increments.
- Plant roots are covered with earth and watered abundantly.
If the probability of recurrent frosts remains, the plants are covered with agrofibre overnight. In the morning, the covering material is removed.
Culture care
Growing and caring for leeks in Siberia includes watering, weeding weeds and loosening the soil. To obtain a high yield, the culture is fed with organic matter and complex fertilizers.
Watering
Leeks are watered abundantly, preventing the soil from drying out. Moisture should not accumulate in the soil and cause root rot.
For irrigation of crops, use warm water, settled in barrels. Water droplets should not remain on the onion shoots.
After watering the onions, the soil is weeded and loosened for better moisture and oxygen penetration. Leeks must be spud to obtain a white stalk. The soil is mulched with humus to reduce the intensity of irrigation.
Top dressing
When growing leeks in Siberia, plantings are fed with minerals and organic matter. The first treatment is carried out a week after 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 poultry droppings 1:15.
The use of minerals is alternated with organic fertilizers. Wood ash is a universal feed for onions. It is introduced into the soil during hilling in the amount of 1 glass per 1 sq. m of beds.
Protection against diseases and pests
Subject to the rules of cultivation and care, leeks in Siberia are rarely exposed to diseases. With excessive moisture, rust, powdery mildew and other fungal diseases develop.
To protect the plantings from the spread of the fungus, spraying with Fitosporin solution is carried out. When signs of damage appear, copper oxychloride is used. All onion treatments are completed 3 weeks before harvest.
Leeks attract onion flies, weevils, and other pests. Insects are deterred by strong odors. The plantings are treated with ground black pepper or tobacco dust. Celery and herbs are planted between rows of onions.
Cleaning and storage
The onions are harvested until the temperature drops to -5 ° C. The bulbs are dug up in dry weather and cleaned of the earth. Green shoots are not pruned, otherwise the bulb will dry out.
Leeks are conveniently stored in boxes filled with sand. Plants are placed vertically. The containers are left in a cellar, basement or other cool room. Depending on the variety, onions have a shelf life of 4-6 months.
Conclusion
In Siberia, leeks are grown by seedlings. First, the soil and planting material are prepared at home. Seedlings are kept in a warm, lighted place. When the onion grows up, it is transferred to open areas. Leeks respond positively to regular watering, loosening and feeding. The harvest collect before the onset of frost.
