Growing Brassicas from seed... success rates??

mew · Post: # 54003Post **mew** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:06 pm

Hi everyone

Its my first time at growing veg and I wanted to try and grow as much as poss from seed.

Ive got some cabbages sitting in my windowsill and they seem to be doing fine (the first batch suffered Im reliably informed from damping off), still only first initial "seed leaves" at the mo but they seem to be quite strong and fairly large.

I had 2 brocs coming through in my unheated greenhouse (i planted 6 seeds), but they seemed to have been killed off by the recent warm weather and sun - so ive planted some more to see how they go. Ive got some caulis on the go also in the greenhouse (they seem to be ok but still very small (first set of leaves only at the moment - part of the seed leaves or something ive read)

I just wondered if im aiming too high with it being my first attempt with the brassicas (or am i worrying about nothing) as someone who I know who also grows veg and has done for quite a while says they tend to buy small plants of the brassicas instead of growing from seed as they need quite a lot of care and attention for any success.

Just wondered how you folks faired with yours and if you have any tips as to how best to grow them.... or buy small plants instead of seed??

Thanks all

MEW

Andy Hamilton · Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:14 pm

I lost a load last year to dampening off, I had 60 broccoli plants and presently am harvesting off 5. Probally not the best person to ask as I am not the biggest fan of Brasicas. Well except radishes but they are really easy to grow.

red · Post: # 54026Post **red** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:54 pm

mew I have always found the bet thing is to try lots of things. and repeat your successed and keep trying something new or something you really want until you succeed or accept its not for you!

mew · Post: # 54034Post **mew** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 2:49 pm

Hi Andy, Hi Red

I'll keep trying then with the seed and keep my fingers crossed (i might but a few plants to put alongside just incase of total failure on the brassicas, but i'll stick at it)

talking of Radishes Andy, i just planted a row last weekend - how long do they usually take to pop up?

thanks again

MEW :0)

wulf · Post: # 54052Post **wulf** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:07 pm

Radishes are normally fairly quick. I'd expect to see some signs of life within the next few days, although it will depend on how deep you planted the seeds.

You can also sprout them on damp kitchen towel or similar and then use tweezers to transfer to the next growing stage when they get going.

Wulf

ohareward · Post: # 54118Post **ohareward** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 4:39 am

Hi Mew, if it gets too hot in your greenhouse during the day it will make your seedlings wilt. Is there any ventilation you can open up to let the air through. As soon as seedlings come up they should be taken out of the greenhouse and put somewhere they can harden up. Of the brassicas, caulis take the most time to mature. Make sure that they are not allowed to dry out, as this stresses them. An even moisture environment is the best.

Robin

arachnid · Post: # 54128Post **arachnid** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 7:46 am

Growing the baby plants from seed is fine if you can keep them from getting overheated and in plenty of light. They are quite hardy so should be hardened off quickly and planted out as soon as possible (if you're in the UK). Firm them into the soil and put a little collar around the stem to discourage root flies.

The problem we have with brassicas is caterpillars from the Cabbage white butterflies. The only solution we've found is to grow them under netting, in the style of a low fruit cage. This works but makes weeding and other care very irritating because the nets have to be removed or crawled under!

The winter brassicas (kale and sprouting)are therefore our favourite; they are planted out in summer and are small enough to net easily, then the nets can come off when the butterflies have finished for the year.

paradox · Post: # 54136Post **paradox** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:24 am

Its my first year of growing and ive started nearly everything from seed straight in raised beds and it all seems to be doing quite well.

My tomatoes im starting in plastic trays in a home made coldframe and they are just starting to pop there heads out of the soil now.

Wombat · Post: # 54154Post **Wombat** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:41 am

I've grown all my brassicas from seed or years and don't find them any more difficult that anything else to grow. The cabbage moth and butterlfy are our scourge too!

Nev

multiveg · Post: # 54294Post **multiveg** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:46 pm

Andy Hamilton wrote:I lost a load last year to dampening off, I had 60 broccoli plants and presently am harvesting off 5. Probally not the best person to ask as I am not the biggest fan of Brasicas. Well except radishes but they are really easy to grow.

The slugs and snails have already decimated all but one radish in a 2ft row - must have been while away at my mother's!

Brassicas in general, seedlings suffer more from those pesky molluscs than anything else. And as for caterpillars - well, just go a-hunting and a-squishing (wear gloves if you have to).