Rainbow Chard or not? (pics included)

[cazp]

Hi everyone.
Please see pictures below.
These chard plants were grown from seed, and are meant to be the "rainbow" variety - but the stalks appear to have no colour. Is there a possiblity there has been a mix up with the seeds and this is a different type of chard? or is the lack of colour because these are still young plants? (Also one of the plants looks slightly different to the other two with thicker stems - picture three).
Any advice appreciated.

[Flummery]

They certainly aren't rainbow! I grow them in modules to plant out when I have spaces and even the roots are red or yellow or orange as appropriate.
They seem to be a normal chard mix. The plants are variable and you do get those with a thick stem - you can cook that too but cook it separately as it will need longer cooking then the chard.

[cazp]

Thanks for quick reply. This are from a Suttons seed pack - called "Swiss chard - bright lights" - looking at th pic on the front there is a white variety amongst the coloured ones - looks like I have been unlucky and not sown the coloured variety - do you think perhaps the plant in pic two (with green looking stalks) might become a coloured chard?

[Flummery]

They are coloured from the off. They won't change. You do get some white stalked in with the bright lights mix. I'd let them know and send pics - they might send you another pack. They don't taste any different but it's a disappointment when you are looking forward to the dazzling colours they advertise!

[rustylady]

I think you didn't sow enough seed to get a good mix.

[cazp]

Very dissapointed and I will sow some more! It's a shame it doesnt say on the pack to grow more for a range of colours. Have contacted suttons about this.

[Jeanied]

They have sent you silver chard not bright lights, cazp - which is a bit of a swindle as the multicoloured ones cost more!

[Pigeonpoo]

I have had the same problem with Suttons Swiss chard. I phoned today and it appears that they have had a problem with some of the seed and had several people who have experienced this.

[solway cropper]

I grew the Bright Lights last year and was disappointed.....quite stringy. Had much better results with White Silver this year.

[katholicos]

I have had the same problem with Suttons Swiss chard. I phoned today and it appears that they have had a problem with some of the seed and had several people who have experienced this.

Thanks for this bit of info, i was wondering why mine had all grown white stemmed!

[Keith2202]

I have a pack of "Rainbow chard" from Kings seeds. They are just like yours too, not rainbow! These are from 2007

[Queen of Spades]

I use Dobies seed. Never had a complaint or a dud. There were at least 6 colours in the rainbow chard I grew and 2009's crop lasted till spring this year, all through the extreme winter we had up here!

[gojiberry]

Middle picture looks as if you have a spinach plant there as well as the chard. Not a lot of difference in flavour between rainbow and silver chard.

Ian