Cauliflower seeds question

[supraflyguy]

Hi everyone, looking for a bit of advice with my cauliflower seeds. I apologise in advance if my question is a bit silly, but this is year is my first attempt at growing veg.

I'm going on the advice that I was to plant the seeds mid January to go outside end of march. Last weekend I became too impatient and started the seeds off in a propagator in my living room. Its an unheated propagator but it's near the radiator which is on for 4 hours a day (spread over the whole day) and in the windowsill which gets light but not direct sunlight. Of the 10 seeds that I sowed 9 have sprouted already which I am of course delighted with!

My question is though, in 5 days they are now at least 3cm high. Is this ok or have they bolted? I am still unsure of the bolted term so any advice is grateful

Thanks in advance

[OberonK]

Hi Supraflyguy

I think the term bolted refers to when the plant has gone past the point where you can harvest the vegetable. As to what to do with your cauli plant, I'm a newbie too, but I'm assuming its still bit parky to be putting much in the ground. I'm sure one of these friendly folk will be along shortly to help out

[PAULW]

Now they have hatched take the lid off the propagator during the day so they get plenty of light or they will go leggy ( grow very tall and spindley ).

[binley100]

..and maybe move them somewhere a bit cooler.

[Two_Sheds]

in 5 days they are now at least 3cm high. Is this ok or have they bolted?

they have gone leggy: they are too warm and too dark. Not much you can do about that though, in January.

Bolting means going to seed

[zazen999]

Brassicas don't need any heat to germinate, well; a little but that can come from the warm air in the kitchen; they will go bonkers if they get too much heat.

They are better off grown 'hard', they may take longer to germinate and grow but they are stronger for it.

[Alison]

I've sown some in modules in the conservatory, it's not very warm but they get plenty of light. Nothing through yet but they don't usually take long. They'll be grown on in the cold greenhouse before going outside and never see much warmth.

[supraflyguy]

Thanks for all your comments guys!

Think I will start again. I've plenty of seeds left so might start them in a cooler place in a couple of weeks time