{"product_id":"leek-blue-solaise-1704","title":"Leek Blue Solaise Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAllium ampeloprasum var. porrum\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Solaise is a beautiful old French Leek renowned for its exceptional cold tolerance and distinctive blue-green foliage. As temperatures fall, the leaves deepen in colour and can develop striking violet-purple tones during the coldest weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants produce substantial, medium-length white shafts with a mild, sweet onion flavour. Excellent in soups and stews, Blue Solaise is also delicious braised, roasted, sautéed or baked into pies and quiches. Cold weather not only intensifies the foliage colour but can also enhance the sweetness of the stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeeks originated in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean and have been cultivated in Europe since ancient times. Unlike onions, they are grown for their elongated leaf bases rather than a bulb. They are particularly valuable as a cool-season crop, providing fresh vegetables through periods when many other crops are less productive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Solaise is especially well suited to cold districts, where its hardy foliage withstands frost and winter weather particularly well. Gradually hilling soil around the developing stems excludes light and produces longer, tender white shafts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed count: approximately 350–450 seeds\/g\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximately 100 seeds per packet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen to Plant (Australia)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTropics: Autumn to winter\u003cbr\u003eSubtropics: Autumn to spring\u003cbr\u003eMild climates: Spring to autumn\u003cbr\u003eCold climates: Spring to late summer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting \/ Sowing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow approximately 5–10 mm deep into trays, seedbeds or directly into prepared soil. Keep consistently moist during germination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen seedlings are approximately pencil thickness, transplant into deep holes around 15–20 cm apart. Plant deeply without burying the growing centre. As plants develop, gradually draw soil around the stems to increase the length of the blanched white shaft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrow in full sun in deep, rich, well-drained soil and maintain consistent moisture throughout the growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBegin harvesting once stems reach approximately 2 cm thick, or allow them to develop further for larger shafts. Blue Solaise can remain in the ground through cold weather until required, making it an excellent winter-harvest variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaturity: approximately 100–105 days.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDue to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eden Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Packet","offer_id":46649660965082,"sku":null,"price":3.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/4866\/8890\/files\/download_b4760dda-420c-4d19-a83f-eda88fcf6dc4.jpg?v=1754016952","url":"https:\/\/www.edenseeds.com.au\/products\/leek-blue-solaise-1704","provider":"Eden Seeds ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}