Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners is a citizen science program





'Blue Solaise' Leeks
 
Sub-Category: None
 
Sub-Category 2:
Description: Large and hardy plants that can be overwintered for spring harvest. Also known as 'Blue Solaize' and 'Bleu de Solaize'.
Days To Maturity: 100-120
Seed Sources: Seed Savers Exchange - updated in 2014

 
Rating Summary
 
Overall: (4.9 Stars)Overall
Taste: (4.9 Stars)Taste
Yield: (4.7 Stars)Yield
Ease/Reliability: (4.9 Stars)Ease/Reliability
 
Reviews
 
Login to share your Review of Blue Solaise.

Number of Reviews: 7

Sort Reviews By:
  [Help]
KEY: O=Overall Rating, T=Taste, Y=Yield, E=Ease

Reviewed on 12/19/2017 by containergardener - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Los Angeles, California, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Grows very well in our no-freeze Southern California winters. Beautiful to look at and good to eat. We start them inside from seed in 4" square containers. In 2 or 3 months they are ready to plant out.
 

Reviewed on 01/12/2017 by Peggy\'s patch - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Crawford, Pennsylvania, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Wonderful, very cold-hardy. I started seeds outside this spring, then transplanted them and mulched twice
 

Reviewed on 03/25/2016 by kbill23 - A novice gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Broome, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I had very good luck with this variety. They grew very well and tasted very good. I started the leeks inside in early march then transplanted them outside in late April.
 

Reviewed on 12/15/2010 by Catskills - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Ulster, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: Fewer than 103 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

All leeks do well for us here. Blue Solaise are beautiful and hardy. Finally won my sp over last year to planting leeks and digging them all winter. He was very skeptical. I start all onion-type seeds indoors in left over 4x5 open cells reused (for years) from buying spring bedding flowers. Give them a haircut if they get leggy. I pot on when they get crowded into a fairly deep rectangular window planter with soil lightened with lots of humus. Divide varieties with several markers (also reused) Plants will develop great roots and come apart easily for transplant. Plant out into trenches about 6-8 inches deep, 6 inches or so apart in the row. Continue to hill up as they grow, then mulch, side dress and cultivate occasionally. Favorite use for leeks: Slice white and light green parts into 5-6 inch long thin strips. Toss with the same dressing you will put on the fish and use as a bed for cedar planked fish. Helps to plank the seasoned leeks for 15 minutes before placing the fish on top. We've used salmon, steelhead trout, cod, haddock--all great.
 

Reviewed on 01/13/2010 by pea-picker - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Belknap, New Hampshire, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

First time ever growing leeks, got great results. Not as big as supermarket leeks, but that was because I didn't thin them. I just started inside in cups made of newspaper, then planted the whole cup outside. Some had 2, 3 or 4 in a clump. Great big healthy roots system. Harvested in late fall and loved the taste. We left them in the garden and go dig some out of the snow when we want them. Will definitely grow them again.
 

Reviewed on 10/24/2007 by sunwarm - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Franklin, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Tried Blue Solaise this year because Fedco was out of my favorite variety (think it's King Richard.) Good hardy leek. My only complaint is that it grew a lot of green with smaller stalks. This made the flavor a bit more "green" than I would have liked.
 

Reviewed on 09/14/2004 by George Morrison - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Westchester, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: Less than 6 hours per day

This variety from the famous French Vilmorin seed firm does particularly well in my lower Hudson Valley garden. I start the seeds indoors in January and transplant them out in April by first digging a trough about 6 inches deep with the plants spaced about four inches apart. Backfilling through late June assures beautiful thick, tall white shafts against beautiful blue green foliage. A constant supply of moisture is a must. The leeks can be picked in fall, but I think they are better after they have over-wintered. Be sure to pick them before the end of April or they will start to go to seed. They are wonderful cooked; even better braised and chilled and served cold with a vinaigrette dressing. If you like to compete in produce shows, this is the variety for you.
 




Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners is a citizen science program, © 2004-2024, All Rights Reserved
Cornell Garden Based Learning, Cornell University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Horticulture Section