Broccoli leaves are turning pale...surely this is a bad thing!

[eskymo]

Oh no...

I've got my broccoli plants [in fact they might be cauliflowers as I got the labels mixed up and they look the same when they're small] in a cold frame and they've been alright all week. I had a look at them today and the edges of the leaves are turning a pale colour as if they're fading.

What is this caused by?

too cold?
too much light?
not enough nutirents in the soil?

I'm wondering if I should add some feed. I've got the choice of homemade liquid seaweed, or diluted worm pee from my worm bin. I think I've also got some tomatoes feed somewhere.

What kind of feed is good for broccoli anyway?

[Jaxom]

After a couple of weeks the soil used to grow seeds can be spent and you need to add nutrients in the soil, A move onto a bigger pot is also worth while, if they are becoming pot bound.
Feeding young plants regular is necessary, as they are in small nursery pots where you control their water and feed. You can never have too much light but it could be too much heat if they are under glass with out any ventilation.
Jax

[eskymo]

mine are in the ground now though - what do I feed them with?

[Jaxom]

If they are in the ground then use Sulphate of Ammonia which is Nitrogen rich. It is particularly sutable for green leafy vegetables such as cabbage lettuce or broccoli [calabrase]. it promotes healthy green leaves.
Jax

[eskymo]

do I buy that as a powder? is it organic? never heard of it...first time growing broccoli - can you tell?

[Jaxom]

I bought the Sulphate of Ammonia in B&Q. I have looked at the box and it does not say it is organic, but that doesn't mean its not.
The box I have of Blood, Fish and Bone is marked as being for use by organic growers but it does not state that the contents is organic.
Sorry if that sounds a little dim, but I am looking for bold statements like ..."This Blood, Fish and Bone is organic and recomended by the organic soil association" ....or some such thing writen in letters of fire.
I know some people who won't use BFB as they are vegans.
Jax

[eskymo]

I'm going to Kirkcaldy today for a meeting and so will drop into B&Q on the way and see what they have. My client thinks I'm weird as I always turn up at meeting carrying the weirdest things for my garden.