I seem to have difficulty with growing brassicas from seed. Can anyone give me some practical advice?
The seeds always seem to germinate well. Then they get really straggly between the two leaf and four leaf stage (or something like that) before succombing. I'm not sure if I'm watering too much, not enough or if they aren't warm enough or if something else is wrong...
It is so discouraging.
Help!
Growing brassicas from seed
Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter
-
clatsopduck
- KG Regular
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:57 pm
- Location: Five minute walk from my allotment!
Single, ex-pat American mother of four boys and a girl due end of November. Dreaming of a smallholding.
-
oldherbaceous
- KG Regular
- Posts: 14432
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:52 pm
- Location: Beautiful Bedfordshire
- Has thanked: 711 times
- Been thanked: 709 times
Dear Clatsoduck, with your brassica seedligs, you didn't say whether you are growing them indoors or directly outside.
If they are indoors it could be a combination of the seedlings being to close in the tray after they have germinated and not enough light.
They could also be growing in a temperature that is to warm for them, this can make them grow soft and if over watered are open to disease.
If you have them sown in rows outdoors, you have probably just sown them to thick.
It is far better to start your seeds of in plug trays, two seeds to a cell, then pull out the weakest one once they have germinated.
Hopefully you should get lots of different answers to your question, and you can pick which way of growing suits you best.
If they are indoors it could be a combination of the seedlings being to close in the tray after they have germinated and not enough light.
They could also be growing in a temperature that is to warm for them, this can make them grow soft and if over watered are open to disease.
If you have them sown in rows outdoors, you have probably just sown them to thick.
It is far better to start your seeds of in plug trays, two seeds to a cell, then pull out the weakest one once they have germinated.
Hopefully you should get lots of different answers to your question, and you can pick which way of growing suits you best.
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
-
clatsopduck
- KG Regular
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:57 pm
- Location: Five minute walk from my allotment!
Sorry, I'll give the rest of the details.
I've been growing them indoors (on a windowsill...doesn't seem to make much difference between the SW sill or the NE sill). Only one seed to tray pot, so it is unlikely to be crowded.
Should I be starting them outdoors then...such as in my minigreenhouse? (Just one of those plastic sheet against the wall jobs...)
Thanks again.
I've been growing them indoors (on a windowsill...doesn't seem to make much difference between the SW sill or the NE sill). Only one seed to tray pot, so it is unlikely to be crowded.
Should I be starting them outdoors then...such as in my minigreenhouse? (Just one of those plastic sheet against the wall jobs...)
Thanks again.
Single, ex-pat American mother of four boys and a girl due end of November. Dreaming of a smallholding.
-
oldherbaceous
- KG Regular
- Posts: 14432
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:52 pm
- Location: Beautiful Bedfordshire
- Has thanked: 711 times
- Been thanked: 709 times
Dear Clatsopduck, there are a lot of if's and but's to this question, but i think your seedlings are growng to soft from lack of light and being a bit to warm. You could try sowing your seeds indoors then moving them outside as soon as they come through into your plastic greehouse, as long as it gets plenty of light, don't forget to let the compost nearly dry out in between each watering.
If this fails i think i would just buy plants ready to plat out.
If this fails i think i would just buy plants ready to plat out.
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.