Cabbages, Caulis and Sprouts in pots

[hamsterhead]

Good Afternoon

As I grow everything in containers I'd like to have a go at cabbages, cauliflowers and sprouts. How big a root system do these have? Is this not a wise thing to do?

[Jamesy_uk]

It's not such much about root system with Brassicas as it is they require a firm soil base to plant in and generally you would tamp down the soil as compact as possible before planting, in the case of sprouts it causes them to 'blow' if they aren't properly anchored.
Not saying it is impossible to do this in pots but it would make life more difficult for sure. Cabbages would probably be o.k and maybe Cauli's but Sprouts would be the most difficult unless I am missing a special pot variety somewhere.

[Two_Sheds]

Those plants are BIG (3ft tall, 2ft wide), and top heavy. You'd need a wide deep pot so they don't get blown over.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Cabbages yes, cauli's yes both do well in containers as does calabrese. If you use something the size of a Morrisons bucket you will have to keep an eye on the watering especially when the plants are nearing maturity. May I recommend cauliflower Igloo its a smaller vareity and is well suited to container growing

I don't like sprouts so don't grow them but I know a man who does. He use's 2 or 3 gallon buckets and then ties the plant to a fence to stop it falling over.

Colin

[Snadger]

I grew spring cabbage in pots in the greenhouse to good effect last winter.. I wouldn't like to try and keep on top of watering them through the summer though!

[solway cropper]

Try to go for dwarf varieties if possible. Primo/Golden Acre are good cabbages for containers. I grow AYR cauliflowers two to a twelve inch square container with no probs. Dwarf green curled is a good kale for containers which will give you 'greens' in the depths of winter.

As said previously, they need a good firm compost so my own mix contains about one third garden soil and I sometimes need to support the plants with sticks.

the recycled gardener

[daylily]

Good Afternoon

As I grow everything in containers I'd like to have a go at cabbages, cauliflowers and sprouts. How big a root system do these have? Is this not a wise thing to do?

Do not even ask, just carry on.


Even a single corn will grow 100 m root down if allowed. There is not much to discuss about who fits where. You force them, as your space allows.

[Two_Sheds]

100 METRES? ! How? Why?

The corn on my lotty, its roots never get deeper than about 8", and they have all the room they need and don't get cossetted.

The longest root I've seen on a "veggie" was y'day, one of the kids pulled up a charlock with a 24" tap root

[hamsterhead]

Many thanks for all of your replies. Looks like cabbages and caulis are fine so I may give the sprouts a miss. Still, what have I got to loose except for some muck, seeds and maybe a fence panel when the sprouts are tied to it.

[veggiechicken]

[QUOTE=daylily;932662
Even a single corn will grow 100 m root down if allowed. There is not much to discuss about who fits where. You force them, as your space allows.[/QUOTE]

Who on earth has measured it?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Can someone piont me to the place on earth with a growing medium 100mtrs deep.

I used to go caving in my youth and am pretty sure the rock formations started well before that depth.

Colin

[daylily]

100 METRES? ! How? Why?

I don't know, Sheds, I read this in a rather serious gardening book, I'm not joking, honest.

[daylily]

Can someone piont me to the place on earth with a growing medium 100mtrs deep.

I used to go caving in my youth and am pretty sure the rock formations started well before that depth.

Colin

Would planet Earth do?

[daylily]

Who on earth has measured it?

Do I know? There is a man for every job.

More like how?

[daylily]

Anyhow, whatever interesting topic this makes, I only said this for:

all plants would grow more roots than a container allows.