Kitchen Garden Forum

Last year I got poor germination of Savoy Endeavour but managed as many as I needed, and very nice they were. I sowed the balance of the packet on 18th April in the heated greenhouse and got one. Another Cabbage and three types of Kale planted the same way in the same compost mix germinated fine, none of them were fresh either.
I bought another packet of Savoy Vertus and sowed 2nd May at the same time as three types of Broccoli. I have already thinned the Broccoli (I sow all my Brassicas 2 or 3 seeds per module of 12 module trays then thin to one plant per module before potting on into 3" or 3½" pots) but the Savoy are barely showing.
Is there something different about Savoys or is it just me?
Any varieties to recommend?

I've not sown savoys yet this year but had the same problem with Kalibos cabbage. All the other ones sown at the same time in modules with a bit of heat germinated but these didn't. I've re-sown them from the same packet but put them in a much cooler place and they've all come up in a couple of days, so perhaps they don't like to be too warm. Just a thought.

I think you're right about extra warmth not being needed, PP. I sowed mine in a cold frame several weeks ago and the germination was excellent.

John

PS I've never grown Kalibos before and was taken in by the blurb which says that it can be shredded and eaten raw in salads. Have you tried this?

The second sowing was on the shed window ledge. During the day it is as warm as the greenhouse but at night, with the current climate, it is quite cool. I only want about 10 plants and I think I have 5 but here is plenty of time for another try so I'll try the cold frame.
Thanks for the replies, I'm glad I am not alone in getting what seem irrational variations.

Yes John, the Kalibos is excellent for salads or anything else you wish to use cabbage for.

It makes huge pointed beautifully coloured solid heads. They loose their colour a bit if you leave them growing for a long time. Mine were so large it took four or five meals to use one up, so the others had to wait a while before I got round to using them. The last ones even withstood the first of the winter weather.

Thanks for your for tip about Kalibos, PP. It's certainly worth growing - I've added it to my 'must grow again next year' list.
Today I put one of them in the local show and got first prize!

John

Hi Geoff,
Most of my Brassicas are sown under netting on the outside benches and they always germinate very well.
Brassica seeds are quite low temperature germinators and using heat is very likely to cause them to lock up and not germinate until they have a cool period. I hope that you have not actually bunged them away because I suspect that come October time they will germinate.
Brassicas are best left to germinate in a coolish light place but not in direct sunshine. A better plant is achieved by growing them at their own pace because the slower they are the better the root structure seems to be.
JB.

I've tried to grow Savoys on one or two occasions because it's a brassica I really like but never had much success because I never seem to get a plant which develops any substantial heart. Do they like a particular kind of soil? We have a very light stoney soil here which dries out very quickly which makes me wonder whether this prevents them putting out a sufficient root system to support the rest of the plant. Do they fare generally better on heavy loam or even clay?

The seeds I have say to sow earlier and assume a harvest before the winter.

Is there any chance that ones sown soon could overwinter and be ready in the Spring? Or is that not worth trying with Savoys?