Kohl rabi not swelling in ball shapes. Advice please.

[marchogaeth]

Kohl Rabi in polytunnel. Should be harvesting now. However, only about a third of the stems have swollen into the typical shape, about half of the others have swollen up for about 6-8" to about 1 1/2" dia. The ball ones tatse great, we tried one of the long ones the other day and it was quite woody but edible. The seeds are Frenchie (the Itallian ones) and I haven't grown these before. I'd be really grateful if anyone can tell me why this might have happened especially as I've got lots more in the pipeline and it's a bit late to try and plant a different variety. Thanks

[zazen999]

Sometimes they don't. They are still edible though.

I have 2 Blue ones that I was trying to get to set seed, they grew to football size and still hadn't flowered. Now they have grown new baby blue kohl rabis on top of the footballs. Very cute but flippin flower for goodness sake!

[marchogaeth]

Thanks, I won't pull them out in disgust then! Just wondering re collecting seeds, are these this year's plants? If so won't you have to wait 'til next year for them to flowers and seed? I know nothing (so not trying to teach egg sucking) but thought they were biennials. M

[zazen999]

I know it's a biennial - but most brassicas will set seed in the first year - radishes, rocket, brocolli [it's the flowers that you are eating] - so I'm just going to have to hang on. The good thing is that it will not bolt...hopefully.

[horticultural_hobbit]

I have the three late experimental kohlrabi in a pot outside and they are only just starting to swell. With the cold putting off the flying insect-y things, they have also become a bit more leafy. I'm quietly amazed at the purple pigment. Am rather taken with my alien beauties.