Igloo Cauli

[moggssue]

Hi folks - following a recommendation here a few weeks ago, I sowed some igloo caulis hoping for an autumn crop. Two weeks ago I potted them on into 3" pots waiting for the space in my big garlic container. Now they've all got two quite big leaves and a huge spindly stem going straight up. How long should I leave them before planting out in their final home? Do I need to plant them really low down so the leaves are near the ground rather than aiming for the sky as they are at the mo?!

Secondly, is it too late for a second sowing of these now, maybe if I keep them in the cold frame or under fleece, to provide a late autumn crop? I thought it might be worth a go, rather than waiting until Oct and sowing for a spring crop as I originally planned?

[dwrudd]

Hi Mogg,

I would plant them about now, they sound like they are doing fine. If you plant themwith the first main leaves just above ground levelthey should develop a super root system and be sure to be firm when you are filling the soil back around the roots, I mean really firm.

A weak dose of seaweed fertiliser will help the roots form really well, used every 14 days or so over the leaves and roots.

As far as another sowing is concerned, whats the worst that can happen! if you manage to get some in winter then its a great success, if not, hey you tried.......Go for it

Darren

[moggssue]

Thanks Darren - guess I'll be aplanting and asowing this evening then!

[moggssue]

Okay, I planted the babies out last night - really firm as suggested. I'd heard that they like slightly alkaline soil so used my old pH tester which says that my whole garden, including containers, is around pH 7 - will the cauli suffer in this, ought I to be adding a bit of lime or such, or will the seaweed fertiliser do the trick?
I also took a chance and sowed another dozen seeds to see if I can get a (very!) late crop so fingers are crossed yet again!