Cauliflower germination

[newgardengirl]

I've got two different varieties of seeds for cauliflower: Violet Queen and "All The Year Round" (the year round was a free sample from Thompson & Morgan when I placed quite a large order).

The instructions on the packets don't seem to be all that clear and I can't work out the best way to get them to germinate, as I've had no success so far. I tried one load in a normal tray in the kitchen, and another (only a few days ago, to be fair) in a pot sealed in a plastic bag. The packets do say that germination takes 4-10 days.

Any advice?

[Alison]

I germinated some All the Year Round in a cold greenhouse last October in plain seed trays with a basic plastic cover. Just used normal compost with a thin scatter on top. They germinated no probs and I thinned them out, into individual pots and grew on until the other week when I've planted some of them out under cloches, seem to be doing OK so far but am sure they'll be decimated by slugs any day!

[*Feather*]

It doesn't sound like you are doing anything wrong. I've never had problems germinating cauliflowers. The only thing I can think of is wether they are getting enough light and water... or maybe too much water? I water mine when the compost is starting to look a bit dry-ish.

[Dobby]

I just put my all year round cauliflower in a un heated proprgator then when they started to come up keep the lid of or they get too leggy I used mirical grow compost

[clarelouise4]

I germinated my all year round in small pots and they came through really quickly - just on a table in front of a sunny window. Managed to bring a slug in in the compost without realising and soon the caulis were no more. Mind you when I found the slug it didn't last long either!!

I set some more for my 2nd attempt last week so hopefully they will be more successful this time.

Good luck with yours
Clare

[madderbat]

Mind you when I found the slug it didn't last long either!!

Good luck with yours
Clare

What did it taste like?!!

[clarelouise4]

Lovely in a casserole with plenty of herbs !!!!

[rustylady]

Please make sure your compost is not too wet. Wet equals cold and rot. I've always found that cabbage and caulis germinate well on the kitchen windowsill. I sow mine in a 3 and a half inch half-pot, and when they germinate prick them out into individual cell trays.

[Norm]

Yo NGG, Have patience. Seeds can't read. To quote the nursery rhyme - leave them alone and they'll come home wagging their tails behind them. Warm and moist me duck, warm and moist. Everything grows in that.