Fennel has lots of fronds but bulb not developing

[Blue Radish]

My fennell plant is quite tall and has lots of bushy growth (great in salads) but the bulbs are not developing and flower buds are forming. Should I cut the flower heads off or is there little hope of growing the bulbs? Any tips would be welcome!

[lottie dolly]

That is what mine do,and no the bulbs will not swell,as its gone into bolting mode,when all the energy goes to producing seed,last year i had lots of self seeded plants come up,even they amounted to nothing,

[mothhawk]

Not to worry, you can sow more seeds now to harvest late autumn.

[Greenleaves]

I have absolutely no success with bulb fennel, so given up trying

[Chippy Minton]

Aren't there 2 types of fennel, a bulbing one and a herb one? Never tried to grow it myself but have heard it's very tricky!

[veggiechicken]

^^^ Yes, two sorts. I only grow the tall frondy, herb one - with flower heads.
Which one are you sowing BlueRadish?

[Penellype]

Florence Fennel (the bulb sort) should be sown late, preferably in June. Early sowings tend to bolt, which is what yours has done, and then it won't form bulbs. You could try sowing some more - there might just be time to grow it as we are only a fortnight out of June.

[Bill HH]

I must have begginers luck with fennel, sowed them in Feb, potted then up March Into containers in April Of the eight I have we have eaten two, given away two and the others are bulbing up nicely. Did no more than if it were lettuce.

[Penellype]

The only time I tried to grow it I planted it in March and ended up with nice pretty yellow flowers but no bulbs. Foolishly thinking that fennel seeds were edible, I allowed it to go to seed. I am still pulling up rogue fennel plants 10 years later.

[bearded bloke]

Foolishly thinking that fennel seeds were edible

The seeds from herb fennel are edible Penellype scatter a few on your JA's while they're roasting,delish

[Penellype]

I know they are edible, I phrased that badly. When I left them to form seeds I didn't realize just how annoying they are as weeds, because they have a big strong tap root like a dandelion.

[RaptorUK]

Mine is at this stage . . .




. . . not very big yet but there is new growth since I planted the seedlings out from the cells. As has been said, it bolts easily if you plant it too soon in the year.

[Blue Radish]

Thanks everyone. It is Florence Fennell that I am growing. At least I am not alone! Will the fronds still be OK to eat now that the plant has gone into seed production mode?

[Bex]

. I think mine are doing ok, bulb is starting to swell


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[teakdesk]

Will the fronds still be OK to eat now that the plant has gone into seed production mode?

Yes, I love to add them to fish cooked "en papillote".

Wonderfull as fronds and actually more use to me than bulbs which I find too strong.