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Only discovered that they are or correct me if I'm wrong. I sowed 4 seeds (2 different variety) but looks like I'm getting more than I bargained for as I heard that they can feed a family very well with just 2-3 plants. I thought the seeds look similar to spinach and beetroot. I did read that each beetroot seed can give you around 4-5 plants but wasn't sure how many will be good/viable enough to make it through to become adult plants. The article says to chuck away the weaker ones or is this the same approach with Swiss Chard?
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Yes, they are clusters.
If you want 3 plants, sow three large clusters and pick the strongest seedlings, whether they are from one cluster or a combination of the three.
Personally, I would grow more like 5 or 6 plants. They are big, though. -
Wow big clusters as well, the better. I did notice the seeds sizes were varied. Thanks just as well I sowed at least 4, hope I'll like the taste. Always been too afraid to eat them from looks aloneOriginally posted by Cutecumber View Post
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If you give them bigger spacing they go really big cluster ( mine was reaching 1.5 ft tall and 1 ft wide).I grow, I pick, I eat ...Comment
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Which Swiss Chard variety are you growing this year? And of course if you want to try out Rainbow and Silver White, I have seeds to spare. I remember in your previous post that the greener ones taste better as they don't have that funny smell or taste.Originally posted by momol View PostLast edited by veg4681; 19-02-2008, 03:45 PM.Food for FreeComment
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I grew this light green swiss chard during 2006 (Bionda Di Taglio). This year I am growing couple of rhubarb chard and couple of rainbow chard again. Sadly I can't find it (Bionda Di Taglio) in our garden centre, will grow it again if I find the seeds, it has less green aroma and softer texture.Last edited by momol; 20-02-2008, 01:11 PM.I grow, I pick, I eat ...Comment
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Can I be clear... when I write "cluster" I am referring to the seed pods, not a cluster of plants or stalks.
I thin out my seedlings from a cluster (seed pod) once they have germinated - I might pick two or three from each, at most. They are then each grown on separately, not like you might leave beetroot to grow together until their swelling roots push them apart.
Each individual (and apparently so waif-like) chard seedling can produce a substantial plant on its own, if given enough space and the right conditions. Imagine a head of celery - the stems of a single chard plant (let alone the leaves) will easily be bigger in girth than this.
Sorry if my first post was a bit ambiguous.Last edited by Cutecumber; 19-02-2008, 07:13 PM.Comment
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No worries CC, I know what you mean. I actually didn't thin out my Bionda Di Taglio chard (back then, it was my first gowing year and totally unexperience) and they end up growing in cluster.
My rainbow chard were thin out to 1 plant per seed but they still grow pretty big and wide and when I beheaded one of it, it does form cluster (with lots of side shoots).
Thanks
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Last edited by momol; 19-02-2008, 07:28 PM.I grow, I pick, I eat ...Comment
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Thanks for your trouble/concern but I understood the first timeOriginally posted by Cutecumber View Post. I have noticed that there is an obvious strongest seedling from other 2-3 too in a cluster. I had only learnt this from reading about growing beetroot so I would not have made the same mistake as Momol made 
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Now I'm confused about beetroot, thought the growing guide article says to pick out the strongest seedlings just as you would with swiss chard. I'll go check the site again.Last edited by veg4681; 19-02-2008, 10:12 PM.Food for FreeComment
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It's the same with beetroot as for chard - you have a choice whether to leave them in situ or separate them out.
Some people allow their beetroot to grow together and the roots push each other apart, others separate them out or thin them.
Try some of both and see how they fare.Comment
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