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Brassica Seedlings?
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cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 9:48 am    Post subject: Brassica Seedlings? Reply with quote
    

I always have trouble with brassica seedlings. They germinate nicely in little modules, look happy, and then turn all ashy and die. Not always, but far too often. I'm keeping them moist without drowning them... What am I doing wrong?

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 9:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Dunno, I sow direct and watch them get mullered by the pigeons. Might take a year off this year, gets a bit boring otherwise.

judith



Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire
PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 9:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

When are they dying - have they got their first true leaves or are they keeling over before then?

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 9:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Judith wrote:
When are they dying - have they got their first true leaves or are they keeling over before then?


They get their seed leaves, stand there for anything up to a week or two, then they croak. Not always, but far too often.

judith



Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire
PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 10:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Could the compost be too acidic for them?

Behemoth



Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds
PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 10:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

tahir wrote:
Dunno, I sow direct and watch them get mullered by the pigeons. Might take a year off this year, gets a bit boring otherwise.


I find cheap netting keeps them off....

...and then they get clubroot.

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 10:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Judith wrote:
Could the compost be too acidic for them?


Errm, mebbe. Dunno. I'll do a check when I get home, I'll stick the pH probe in.

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 10:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Behemoth wrote:

I find cheap netting keeps them off....

...and then they get clubroot.


Used to get that up North. Have you tried putting a wee bit of lime into seed trench, or eathing up the stems with a bit of lime?

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 10:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Behemoth wrote:
I find cheap netting keeps them off....

...and then they get clubroot.


Tried it last year, buggers found a weak point

ross



Joined: 07 Mar 2005
Posts: 123

PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 10:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Quote:
...and then they get clubroot.


some people swear by placing a small piece of rhubarb in the planting hole when transplanting them in. never grown brassicas myself so haven't any experience.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 11:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

They don't like acid soil. Last year our little plants had cabbage root fly while still in the seed tray.

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 11:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Treacodactyl wrote:
They don't like acid soil. Last year our little plants had cabbage root fly while still in the seed tray.


Oh, I know they don't like acid soil. Sown directly in the ground in our limey soil they seem happy, but sometimes it's nice to get them grown on a bit indoors first, they fight off pests more readily that way.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 11:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Can you make your own blend of compost with your garden soil or even add some chalk to your potting composts?

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 11:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Treacodactyl wrote:
Can you make your own blend of compost with your garden soil or even add some chalk to your potting composts?


First things first, I'll check the pH of the compost I've been using.

But yeah, you can I'm sure add lime to a compost, or blend with soil.

Behemoth



Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds
PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 11:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Most of the contributors to a recent bit on brassicas in the Kitchen garden mag started their brassicas in cells and pots. They generally thought it gave them a better chance when planting out and sprnikling some lime directly into the planting hole improved their chances further against club root. Barrier methods against root fly were succesful but affected the plant through less water getting to the roots or even strangling it. Covering form the start was thought the best method, fleece or mesh.

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