Bolting seedlings

[DAVEM]

It's that time of year again and I'm about to plant my cauli seeds into trays in a propagator where I usually leave them just a few days to warm and start germination. I then remove the small trays into light position covered onto windowcil turnig every few days which is when things start going wrong - they bolt madly! I usually manage later to recover them by transplanting deeply taking up the extended shoots.But somebody out there though must have a remedy to this problem! Suggestions please.

[Snadger]

Bolting is usually the term used for a plant running to seed. Yours are probably too warm with not enough light making them go 'leggy'

[zazen999]

Hi

In my [limited] experience, brassicas don't need heat to germinate, I put mine into modules and leave them somewhere cool but bright [cold frame type affair] and they germinate relatively quickly and definitely don't shoot up too fast.

[jacob marley]

You are sowing them to early there is not enough daylight for them toward's the end of Feruary is plenty soon enough....jacob

[Two_Sheds]

Like what the others said really ... too warm, too dark, too early most likely.
Also, bolting means running to seed/flowering, it doesn't mean growing tall.

Sowing time depends on what variety you are growing. This might help Cauliflower sowing and seed, cauliflower care and cultivation - page 2

[DAVEM]

Thanks = but these are mayflower and i di usually sow them at this time - it dos work Ok but i just thought I'd try without them bolting !

[plantsbypost.com]

Put them on your windowsill till they are just poking through the compost, then move them straight outside in to a position that is sheltered from the wind, but has plenty of light, the cold will keep them short and stocky.


Regards

Neil

[Two_Sheds]

Thanks = but these are mayflower and i di usually sow them at this time - it dos work Ok but i just thought I'd try without them bolting !

Yep, Mayflower is for January sowing, under glass or indoors. They aren't bolting though ... they are getting leggy from lack of light.
I don't know about you, but even my south facing windowsill is fairly dark & gloomy at the moment.
I would start some more off at the very end of Jan, even early Feb. They will catch up.

[plantsbypost.com]

Have had to go and check up on this because we don't use mayflower, but the commercial catalogues have it down as sowing Sep / Oct, hold over winter in plugs under glass, then transplant out in the spring for end april / may harvest.

The one i'd say take a look at for this time of year is Freedom. A super variety, have done it for 4 years now and never let us down.

Regards

Neil

[shirlthegirl43]

When do you harvest caulis sown now? Might give some a go if they are not in the ground forever.

[DAVEM]

Mayflower

I have grown these the last few years with great success , notwithstanding the leggy seedling problem which I do overcome. They usually always flower around May/June and when they are when successful ( like 2008) are simply superb ! Try them!!

[lottie dolly]

i have some called andes,the packet says,indoor dec/jan,stand outside in april then transplant,readymay/oct,
out door feb/july,transplant when large enough,harvest,july/oct,for a continuouse crop,sow every 2-3 weeks,the mind boggles,i shallstart some of in feb,and hope for better luck this year.