Crop type: Leeks
Allium porrum (Autumn Giant 2 Group) ‘Porvite’
Common name: Leek ‘Porvite’ (Autumn Giant 2 Group)
Crop slug: leeks
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile. Check the source and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Porvite’ is an excellent leek cultivar producing heavy, uniform stems beneath erect mid-green foliage. It stands in good condition over a long period, making it useful for an extended autumn and early-winter harvest rather than a single lifting date.
Resistance to bulbiness helps the shanks stay evenly cylindrical, while good bolting resistance reduces the risk of a tough flower stem interrupting the crop. The combination of substantial pale shanks and upright mid-green leaves is its clearest harvest-stage identity.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Ultimate spread
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Time to ultimate size
- 1 year
Although individual plants remain narrow, allow enough final spacing for the heavy stems to thicken uniformly. The erect habit keeps foliage relatively compact along the row.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Loam, sand, clay or chalk
- Moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Soil pH
- Neutral or alkaline
Grow in fertile soil that retains consistent moisture yet drains freely. Organic matter supports the long growing season, while even water availability helps the shank expand without checks or excessive bulbiness.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- South- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H4 — hardy through most of the UK
A sunny sheltered position supports steady growth and reduces wind damage to the upright leaves. The H4 rating suits autumn and early-winter standing crops across most UK gardens.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
Mid-green leaves rise erect from a heavy, uniform pale stem. The foliage remains green through the normal growing and harvest seasons. ‘Porvite’ is grown for the long blanched shank and leafy fan; flowers should not appear in a well-timed first-year crop.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Name status
- Unresolved
Genus
Allium species are bulbous herbaceous plants with a characteristic onion or garlic scent. They have linear, strap-shaped or cylindrical basal leaves and, when allowed to flower, star- or bell-shaped blooms gathered in an umbel on a leafless stem.
Safety
No specific handling warning is listed on the exact RHS profile. Wash soil from between the leaf bases, trim roots and damaged leaf tips, and cook or prepare the clean stem and leaves as required.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Start seed in modules indoors and transplant outside later, or sow outdoors in March and April before moving seedlings to their final positions in early summer.
Plant deeply enough to develop a long pale shank, maintain even moisture while plants establish, and earth up carefully as stems lengthen. Avoid dropping soil between the leaves. The cultivar's long standing ability lets harvest continue, but lift stems before severe deterioration or unwanted flowering.
Propagation
Propagate by seed. Raise an even batch and transplant similarly sized seedlings together to promote uniform stems.
Suggested locations
- Sunny vegetable plot
- Prepared allotment row
- Sheltered raised bed
- Autumn and early-winter harvesting bed
Pruning
No pruning is required. Remove only damaged foliage or any premature flower stalk, and lift the complete plant at harvest.
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs and snails, leek moth, onion fly, onion thrips and birds. Fleece or suitable insect-proof netting can prevent adult moths from laying eggs.
Diseases
May be susceptible to onion white rot and leek rust. Rotate allium crops, avoid moving contaminated soil and water at ground level to limit risk.