Content
Leeks are valued for their spicy taste, rich vitamin composition and simple care. The culture is frost-resistant and tolerates the climatic conditions of Siberia. For landings choose onion varieties that are resistant to temperature fluctuations, diseases and pests.
General characteristics
Leeks are herbaceous biennials that grow up to 1 m in height. After planting, the plant forms a root system and 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 the fall. The peculiarity of leeks is their resistance to cold and demanding watering.
The bulb and shoots of the plant are eaten. The taste of onions is high; depending on the variety, leeks have an spicy or sweetish taste. The culture contains vitamins, microelements, and protein. When stored in bulbs, the concentration of vitamin C increases.
Leeks are used fresh and added to appetizers, salads, soups and main courses.The 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, and bladder.
The best varieties
To grow leeks in Siberia, frost-resistant varieties that can withstand temperature fluctuations are chosen. To obtain an early harvest, varieties that ripen in late summer are planted. The most productive leeks are those that are ready for harvesting in the middle or late periods.
Early maturing
Early varieties of leeks ripen in August-September. These varieties of onions are distinguished by narrow green leaves and a small stalk.
Goliath
The Goliath onion variety is grown only by 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 harvest is kept in a cool place for no more than 5-6 months.
Elephant's trunk
Mid-early ripening variety. The period from emergence to harvesting of the crop takes 140 days. Onion height is 60-70 cm. The bleached part is 15-30 cm long. Onion weight 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
Columbus leeks are recommended for fresh use or canning. The variety is rich in vitamins. The leaves are densely arranged and 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 requires constant watering and responds positively to the addition of nitrogen.
Medium ripening
Leeks that ripen in the middle period have lower yields compared to early varieties. These varieties are of high quality.When growing leeks in Siberia, mid-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. When stored, onion stems become more juicy.
Tango
A mid-early variety of leek. Ripening 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 its high quality stems. The plant is resistant to cold weather and produces high yields in unfavorable climates.
Kamus
A fast-growing, productive variety, distinguished by a long white stalk, up to 50 cm in height. Kamus onion 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 maturing
Late varieties of leeks in Siberia mature in 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 stalk of the onion is usually dense and shortened. Harvesting is possible before the onset of sub-zero temperatures.
Karantansky
Late ripening leeks 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 piquant with a slight pungency. Suitable for planting before winter. The Karantansky onion variety responds positively to fertilizing.
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. The plants are straightened, stored for a long time, and are 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. Alligator leeks have a semi-sharp taste and are demanding of light and moisture. The variety has high productivity and is stored for a long time.
Growing in Siberia
Leeks are planted at home in Siberia at the end of February or beginning of March. Planting material and soil are pre-prepared. After warming, the plants are transferred to beds in a greenhouse or under the open sky.
Preparing seeds and soil
To plant onions, use containers 10-15 cm high. 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 increments of 3 mm, leaving 8 mm between rows. To speed up seed germination, cover the plantings with polyethylene. Shoots 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 the 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 °C;
- night temperature 12-15 °C.
To water the 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 sprouted thickly, it is weeded.
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 at the roots of onion seedlings.
3 weeks before transferring to an open area, leeks are hardened in the fresh air. First, a window is opened in the room for 2 hours, then the plantings are transferred to the balcony. Hardening allows plants to better tolerate transplantation and adapt to natural conditions.
Landing in the ground
The place for planting the crop begins to be prepared in the fall. The site is selected to be sunny and protected 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 and humus or compost is added. Leeks are planted in late May or early June, when the seedlings are 50-60 days old. It is necessary to wait until the soil and air warm up.
In spring, the soil is loosened and furrows are made 15 cm deep and 30 cm apart. Wood ash is poured into the bottom of each furrow.
Procedure for planting leeks:
- The soil with seedlings is watered abundantly.
- Plants are taken out of containers, the root system is shortened to 4 cm.
- The bulbs are placed in furrows in increments of 20 cm.
- The roots of the plants are covered with soil and watered abundantly.
If there is still a possibility of return frosts, cover the plants with agrofibre at night. In the morning, the covering material is removed.
Cultivation care
Growing and caring for leeks in Siberia includes watering and weeding weed and loosening the soil. To obtain a high yield, the crop is fed with organic matter and complex fertilizers.
Watering
Leeks are watered abundantly, not allowing the soil to dry out. Moisture should not accumulate in the soil and cause rotting of the roots.
To irrigate crops, use warm water, settled in barrels. Drops of water should not remain on the onion shoots.
After watering the onions, the soil is weeded and loosened for better penetration of moisture and oxygen. Leeks must be hilled to obtain a white stem. The soil is mulched with humus to reduce the intensity of watering.
Top dressing
When growing leeks in Siberia, the 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.
Options for feeding 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;
- bird droppings solution 1:15.
The use of minerals is alternated with organic fertilizers. Wood ash is a universal fertilizer for onions. It is added to the soil during hilling in the amount of 1 cup per 1 square meter. m beds.
Protection from diseases and pests
If the rules of cultivation and care are followed, leeks in Siberia are rarely susceptible to disease. With excess moisture, rust, powdery mildew and other fungal diseases develop.
To protect plantings from the spread of fungus, spray with a solution of Fitosporin. When signs of damage appear, copper oxychloride is used. All onion processing is completed 3 weeks before harvest.
Leeks attract onion flies, weevils and other pests.Insects are repelled by strong odors. Plantings are treated with ground black pepper or tobacco dust. Celery and herbs are planted between the rows of onions.
Cleaning and storage
Onions are harvested until the temperature drops to -5 °C. The bulbs are dug up in dry weather and cleared of soil. Green shoots are not cut off, otherwise the bulb will dry out.
It is convenient to store leeks 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 shelf life of onions is 4-6 months.
Conclusion
In Siberia, leeks are grown using the seedling method. First, soil and planting material are prepared at home. The seedlings are kept in a warm, well-lit place. When the onion grows, it is transferred to open areas. Leeks respond positively to regular watering, loosening the soil and fertilizing. Harvest collect before frost sets in.
