Watercress flower buds...

[Bluemchen]

I've sown watercress in a growbag in the greenhouse, and am amazed how quickly and easily it has grown. However, I spotted some little buds today, so it is going to seed......... do I have to harvest the lot ASAP before it flowers (I understand veggies taste bitter once they've gone to seed - but does this apply to watercress, which is bitter anyway??) or is it already a lost cause?

Thanks

PS. I love the Grapevine - there is always an answer!!

[burnie]

I'm a bit behind you with mine,only just germinated.According to Richard Mabey,you don't eat young watercress as it is not so tasty and the pictures show flowers on the plants.He is mainly concerned with foraging rather than growing your own,but I guess the taste thing applies,I have foraged the stuff when fishing and eaten it straight from the river,but having read the bit about liver flukes,I might not again!

[BarleySugar]

I eat mine in flower, it's very tasty. The thing to do is to keep cutting it, because it does stop growing if it sets seeds. On the other hand, the seed is easy to collect, and in fact I've had self sown watercress coming up everywhere. The patch on the greenhouse gravel floor is almost large enough to cut. If you have any non-flowering shhots you could also take cuttings, so these will be a bit behind the rest in the flowering.

[Florence Fennel]

Oh !"££$$%%^&&!! I have composted mine today because it was flowering. Oh well, another lesson learned.