Tweet
It's that time of year again and I'm about to plant my cauli seeds into trays in a propagator where I usually leave them just a few days to warm and start germination. I then remove the small trays into light position covered onto windowcil turnig every few days which is when things start going wrong - they bolt madly! I usually manage later to recover them by transplanting deeply taking up the extended shoots.But somebody out there though must have a remedy to this problem! Suggestions please.
-
-
Bolting is usually the term used for a plant running to seed. Yours are probably too warm with not enough light making them go 'leggy'My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)
Diversify & prosper
-
Hi
In my [limited] experience, brassicas don't need heat to germinate, I put mine into modules and leave them somewhere cool but bright [cold frame type affair] and they germinate relatively quickly and definitely don't shoot up too fast.
Comment
-
You are sowing them to early there is not enough daylight for them toward's the end of Feruary is plenty soon enough..
..jacob
What lies behind us,And what lies before us,Are tiny matters compared to what lies Within us ...
Ralph Waide EmmersonComment
-
Like what the others said really ... too warm, too dark, too early most likely.
Also, bolting means running to seed/flowering, it doesn't mean growing tall.
Sowing time depends on what variety you are growing. This might help Cauliflower sowing and seed, cauliflower care and cultivation - page 2All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.Comment
-
Thanks = but these are mayflower and i di usually sow them at this time - it dos work Ok but i just thought I'd try without them bolting !Comment
-
Put them on your windowsill till they are just poking through the compost, then move them straight outside in to a position that is sheltered from the wind, but has plenty of light, the cold will keep them short and stocky.
Regards
NeilComment
-
Yep, Mayflower is for January sowing, under glass or indoors. They aren't bolting though ... they are getting leggy from lack of light.Originally posted by DAVEM View Post
I don't know about you, but even my south facing windowsill is fairly dark & gloomy at the moment.
I would start some more off at the very end of Jan, even early Feb. They will catch up.All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.Comment
-
Have had to go and check up on this because we don't use mayflower, but the commercial catalogues have it down as sowing Sep / Oct, hold over winter in plugs under glass, then transplant out in the spring for end april / may harvest.
The one i'd say take a look at for this time of year is Freedom. A super variety, have done it for 4 years now and never let us down.
Regards
NeilComment
-
When do you harvest caulis sown now? Might give some a go if they are not in the ground forever.Happy Gardening,
Shirley
Comment
-
Mayflower
I have grown these the last few years with great success , notwithstanding the leggy seedling problem which I do overcome. They usually always flower around May/June and when they are when successful ( like 2008) are simply superb ! Try them!!Comment
-
i have some called andes,the packet says,indoor dec/jan,stand outside in april then transplant,readymay/oct,
out door feb/july,transplant when large enough,harvest,july/oct,for a continuouse crop,sow every 2-3 weeks,the mind boggles,i shallstart some of in feb,and hope for better luck this year.sigpicAnother nutter ,wife,mother, nan and nanan,love my growing places,seed collection and sharing,also one of these
Comment
Comment