+- Garden And Gossip Forums (https://gardenandgossip.org)
+-- Forum: From seed to plant (edibles) (https://gardenandgossip.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=11)
+--- Forum: Everything Brassicas (https://gardenandgossip.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=60)
+--- Thread: Confused (/showthread.php?tid=436)
Confused - Small chilli - 02-08-2020
For the first time this year I’ve had a net tunnel over half my brassica bed. They’ve all grown twice the height of the ones not covered. But none of the cabbages have hearted up. Have I used the wrong sort of netting? It was just some fabric I had in my sowing box. A stretchy fine hold netting. Would the colour of the fabric make a difference to what heat was produced within the tunnel or something.
I don’t think they’re going to do much now, even though they look very healthy.
RE: Confused - Mikey - 03-08-2020
What variety were they SC, some are more loose than others. Head forming cabbages from experience don’t like rich soil, they generally like firm ground which hasn’t been manured. If the soil is too rich the head won’t form it’s just a mass of open leaves instead. It doesn’t stop you eating them they all look the same shredded up on my plate. I actually prefer the darker leaves as I can taste the irony goodness. Yum
Open sprouts however don’t have the same appeal.
RE: Confused - Small chilli - 03-08-2020
They are the same varieties as the ones in the uncovered half of the bed. Which have stayed low growing & hearted up.
Varieties are romanesco, red drumhead, golden acre, April.
I didn’t know that about the manured beds. I thought brassicas liked it. They always get well stamped in after planting to compact the ground around them.
RE: Confused - Small chilli - 03-08-2020
The photos still don’t really show the size difference.
[attachment=914]
[attachment=915]
RE: Confused - Vinny - 03-08-2020
Could it be that you have created a micro-climate under the mesh which has resulted in leafier growth?
For some reason this year my Autumn planted Spring Cabbage have made huge plants before they decided to heart up
. My intention this year is to plant them closer together to try and limit there size. 
RE: Confused - Mikey - 08-08-2020
Hi SC, it looks like you might either be low on magnesium in the foreground where the leaves have all turned Autumn colours, or that particular section is low on nitrogen (I’d favour the latter, as the plants in general are smaller). Might be worth testing the soil to make sure, as the first one is not as easy a fix.
RE: Confused - Small chilli - 08-08-2020
The autumn colour leaves are from cauliflowers that I’ve already harvested. I’ve just left them for the bugs. In the desperate attempt to get them to leave the stuff alone that’s still growing.
The ground could be deficient in many things. That’s where my gardening skills fall flat on its face. I just don’t get it
RE: Confused - Mikey - 08-08-2020
Cauli’s !! Christ I need new glasses.
I’m always learning SC and I hope I always will.