Kitchen Garden Forum

Picked my love first kohl rabi today but am disappointed by how few plants seem to be developing bulbs. I transplanted most of the seedlings rather than thinning out and wonder if this is the reason. Any advice from those who grow it regularly?

Hi Primrose
I always start mine off in cell trays. one seed per cell and always get 100% germination so there is no need to disturb them by thinning. Planted out (under fleece to protect from the flea beetle). From a March sowing I am now harvesting about the size of a small orange. Delicious.

Beryl.

Hi Primrose,
I have not grown KR for a few years now but I always used the same method as Beryl. Single seed per module in tray of 126/ 42mm x 42mm x 50mm deep modules. I rather think that KR is a hungry plant and needs plenty of nutrient in the soil.
What variety are you growing? There are some varieties that do produce smaller ones. However if they are not bulbing up at all this may be due to a lack of nutrient.
JB.

Thanks Johnboy & Beryl. I did manure the ground in early Spring but it sounds as if next year I should try sowing the seeds individually in deep modules to avoid the root disturbance of transplanting.

The only other point I would make Primrose is the watering. To keep them growing they don't like to go short and if you remember April was very dry.

Beryl.