Leggy brassicas

[Vince G]

Anyone ever tried starting off brassicas indoors in modules at this time of year? Thought I might get off to an early start, so planted caulis, cabbages, brussels, calabrese and broccoli in a tray of 40 modules. All that has happened is that theyve all shot up to about 3 inches of stalk with tiny leaves on the top. My tray lookes like a very sparsely populated bed of cress!!

Is it not a good idea to start brassicas indoors in this fashion? Should I just not be so damned impatient, wait a few weeks and sow direct into the ground?

[Bigmallly]

I think quite a few of us, me included, get a little impatient at this time of year. Any chance of setting them a little deeper in the modules? or into deeper pots.

[Newton]

Will that work BM. I know it works with tomatoes......but any thing else?

[Bigmallly]

That's what I did with mine and seem ok. Nothing to lose apart from your seedlings.

[Currysniffa]

I'd pot them on, my cabbage and calabrese started to get a little leggy, so I potted them on into 3" pots right up to the leaves.




There now sat inside a fleeced blow-away inside my greenhouse.

[Two_Sheds]

caulis, cabbages, brussels, calabrese and broccoli ... all shot up to about 3 inches of stalk with tiny leaves on the top.

They don't need to be indoors at all, they are all very cold-tolerant. If you keep them too warm and too dark, they'll go leggy, as you've discovered

Sow them in a coldframe, outside.

[Alison]

I'll be starting my sprouts off in our coldish conservatory in a couple of weeks time but as soon as they clear the soil they'll be in the cold greenhouse to grow on for a bit before being transplanted. Think they're the only brassica I start anywhere with any warmth and to be honest that's mainly so that I can see what's happening without going down the garden . You can sink them lower but it's a bit of a bind and I couldn't be bothered, they're not like toms which form more roots.

[Vince G]

Hmmm, cheers guys, I think I might start again in a few weeks time planting outdoors. Might have the polytunnel up in a couple of weeks time, so could always start them off in there, prior to transplanting I suppose.

Trouble is I put them in the same propogater as the toms, peppers etc, which need that little bit of warmth. Trying to think what I did last year.....must make some notes!!

[binley100]

Brassicas are quite happy to be planted out deep it helps stop wind rock loosening their roots as they like a firm base. I planted my psb deep and then earthed them up. We have had some really strong winds and are quite exposed and they have stayed upright and happy without the need for support.

[Two_Sheds]

^ they are, but it's best not to grow your seedlings too leggy and spindly. The plants, esp the stems, are simply too flimsy and weak to support good growth.