Raising broccoli from seed

[bitShifter_]

Hi folks!

My approach to growing seems to be going for it and seeing what happens, then adjusting my strategy based on results!

Given this I sowed a whole bunch of broccoli seeds in this one container on April 1st. It's only about 1 or 2 inches deep. I'm thinking now it would have been more wise to sow in separate cells.

My question is are these at the sort of size where I should prick them out with a pencil or something and put them in separate little containers to grow on a bit, or are they fine as they are? They are just on my windowsill. I think I've established they're not big enough to plant out yet.



Thank you thank you

[rustylady]

A picture would help

[bitShifter_]

Oh brother I always forget something. That's it uploaded now

[rustylady]

They are not getting enough light. Move them if you can. I would wait till they get their first true leaves before potting on.

[Alison]

As said, they're very leggy due to insufficient light. I tend to sow about a dozen seeds in a 3" pot then prick out into individual pots when they've got their second leaves (first true set).

[Potstubsdustbins]

To be blunt I would bin them and start again, if they survive they will be very weak plants.

[jessica_alinari]

Broccoli should be started in March (as pointed here bit.ly/1HttjkE) and it really doesn't matter whether you start them in a container or in separate nursery flats. The only reason they grow that tall and leggy, as Alison suggests, is due to insufficient light. The potting soil is also an important factor that should not be underestimated. Sometimes my seedlings thrive better in ordinary garden soil. Last but not least, it's best to take seeds from a qualified seed breeder.

[bitShifter_]

Thanks guys. I get the idea and I think I understand what leggyness is about now so thanks for that. I potted on a bunch of the smaller ones (less affected by the lack of light?) into a tray of pots and put them in my greenhouse with the door open so they can get more light, and hopefully not freez. I also sowed a bunch more, hopefully some of these will do okay now

Thanks again.