Kitchen Garden Forum

My new Pacific 2000 crowns still aren't doing very much. Other than the one, original spear, only two are showing signs of life - and they are sending up multiple tiny, needle-thin shoots.

I don't think it is temperature or the soil, as the new Backlim and Grolim are romping away - and have already attracted the attentions of the Asparagus beetles.

Well a few months on and I have had partial success. The Gromlin 10 crowns all produced spears this year and I could pick 1 spear per crown....which were delicious. The connovers collosal very disappointing show only 4 crowns out the 10 produced 1 spear each.

What do I do next?

Are the other 6 connovers colossal crowns gone for good and should I replace with what seems a more reliable crop of Gromlin OR do I mulch heavily in the hope that they will come back next year?

Answers on a postcard....or forum reply please!

My new Pacific 2000 still haven't done much. Out of 10 new crowns, five have now produced one small spear each which are now about 6 inches high and have turned to fern. Two tried to grow but gave up and died. The other three did nothing. I uncovered one last weekend and there is no sign of life. However, the new Backlim and Grolim are doing well - much more vigorous - so, if I were you, I would replace your disappointing ones.

Mine have all produced ferns. The main problem now is that these ferns are going brown. I hope the crowns are not drying out; I try to keep them watered.

Mike Vogel wrote:Mine have all produced ferns. The main problem now is that these ferns are going brown. I hope the crowns are not drying out; I try to keep them watered.

Have you checked them for asparagus beetle grubs?
It was only when the ferns started to turn brown this time last year that I noticed these grubs on my plants, and one plant died totally and several others were severely set back because of it!