Kale plants failing yet again

[Marb67]

I have potted on strong kale seedlings and not over/ under watered. The plants are withering, ends of the leaves going papery thin and whitening.

Same old story :-(

[veggiechicken]

Are they still in pots or in the ground?

[Marb67]

I planted the seedlings into small pots until they get a good root. Still in these pots.

[veggiechicken]

What compost are you using?
Could you put some photos up please?

[Marb67]

I use multi purpose compost. Just given them a quick spray but not watered.

[bearded bloke]

I think you need to water the soil rather than watering the plant

[Marb67]

I don't water the plant leaf. Today was the first time I misted the leaves.

[Mr Bones]

Could it be sun scorch Marb

[Richard Eldritch]

I had the same issues. Sprinkle some lime on the soil around the plants.The Ph of MPC can vary quite alot and peaty ones are quite acid. Brassicas like alkaline soil, as acidic soil prevents the nutrients being available to the plant.

[Marb67]

Ok,thanks. Is it too late to sow more if they fail ?

[Richard Eldritch]

Ok,thanks. Is it too late to sow more if they fail ?

Should be fine. Sow another tray of modules just in case ( add lime!). Only a few seeds innit? you can always eat them nice and small..... When you plant out add some more lime in the holes.

[Marb67]

I have never been able to get nice big plentyful kale even when i had managed to grow it to plant out. Love to be able to pick during winter.

[Alison]

Where are they? They look to be inside so could well be too warm as they don't like heat. Mine aren't much bigger and are outside on some staging. Re watering, I always do this from below if in pots and, like you, use multi purpose (always peat free for me) and no reason to add lime when they're small.


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[kathyd]

I agree with Alison, bung them outside (harden off first!), but protect from butterflies and cabbage root flies from a VERY early stage, even whilst still tiny and in pots. My tiny cabbages are about the size of your kale, and they've been outside for days now, where they look much happier. You can sow kale right up to July I think (or possibly even August depending on the weather) - early sowings just make bigger plants, later ones are more for small leaves / salads, but they'll take off again in the spring .

[Marb67]

Well they are looking very sorry still and so are the purple broccoli. Never had to use lime in the past and I have a good crop of last year's broccoli outside now.