Trouble with kohl rabi?

[HeyWayne]

I've tried twice now and failed both times.

Planted seeds in small pots, germinated fine, but seemed a bit leggy - thought it was due to light deprivation earlier in the year - but the second attempt suffered eth same fate. The stems go a pale colour and then seem to "dry out" and keel over - even though the compost is moist.

Anyone had any success? I'd really like to try it but I'm worried I'm now out of time to try a third batch.

Any clues on what I might be doing wrong would also be helpful.

[lainey lou]

I had some success last year planting direct, probably beginners luck though! Didn't really like the stuff so haven't bothered this year!

[Capsid]

Strange, I've had no problem; you seem to be doing the same as me. I plant in modules and bring them on in the greenhouse, then palnt out when they have 4 or more true leaves.

[di]

I think you're still o.k to plant some more~I got my seeds from t'net so haven't got dates on pack,but I seem to remember that you can keep sowing well into July?
We never seem to have much luck with them either~but keep trying!!(all the books say they're easy to grow~I think they're lying!!)We have a fairly healthy looking row at present~just waiting for them to bulb up.

[Alison]

Strange, I've had no problem; you seem to be doing the same as me. I plant in modules and bring them on in the greenhouse, then palnt out when they have 4 or more true leaves.

I'm trying it for the first time this year by the same method. Got the seeds free from T&M last year when I ordered something else and never got around to doing it then. They're now in a raised bed looking very healthy and growing well (fab, something that the slugs don't seem to go for!). Have no idea what they'll be like to eat and no real signs of swelling yet. Not a veg I've ever eaten but my friend says they're lovely so she'll get them if we don't like them.

[Capsid]

Yes, they are delicious to eat including the leaves which you can use as spring greens. I fry them as chips with a whole dried chilli and garlic then add some soy sauce and sesame oil when they are tender. That's from Madhur Jafrey's book.

[Alison]

Thanks Mark, was a bit worried that I had absolutley no idea what to do with them when they're ready!

[lynda66]

i put some in a couple of weeks ago ..... straight in the ground, they aren't dead yet

[Snadger]

They are sweet, so don't do what I did and add them to broth along with parsnips.
Have you ever tasted broth with sugar in!!!!!

[Alice]

Mine are looking healthy Hey Wayne, but not bulbed up yet. I planted them straight in the ground and keep well watered. There seems to be a school of thought that says the best time to plant is after the longest day, so you could easily give it another go. Good luck.

[HayleyB]

Hi everyone

I'm a newbie to this and to gardening (my first year apart from herbs).

I planted red and white Kohls in a big polystyrene box (fish society order comes frozen and boxes are perfect for recycling as planters). I sowed in compost and when they got a bit leggy I tried tomato fertiliser. They are now beauties I think there are about 25 in there and the bulbs are swelling nicely. The leaves aparently are edible and they do look good enough to eat.

I'll remember not to use in stews though
Hayley

[di]

They're starting to bulb!!!!only tiny little swellings but the beginnings of bulbs none the less!!

[JennieAtkinson]

I've grown them quite successfully last year and this. Although I only planted in spring this year and eaten those and I'm just about to sow another lot. I find they run to seed a bit in the heat. (They are in the tunnel!) They need lots of water!

[SarzWix]

Did you sow some more HW? Did they work?
I cheated, and bought some young plants from the GC, I hadn't planned to grow them - it was an impulse buy! ANyway, I looked today, and they appear to be getting a bulge around the middle

[HeyWayne]

Did you sow some more HW? Did they work?
I cheated, and bought some young plants from the GC, I hadn't planned to grow them - it was an impulse buy! ANyway, I looked today, and they appear to be getting a bulge around the middle

Nah, I've given up on them.

They should be fine with this lovely summer weather we're having it would seem.

Middle age bulge happens to the best of us.