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Brassica Seedlings?
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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
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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
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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.

Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 11:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

We'll try some old net curtains this year. After all we are in Surrey.

Behemoth



Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds
PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 05 12:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    


gavin



Joined: 10 Feb 2005
Posts: 93
Location: Leeds, W Yorks
PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 05 12:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Dunno - I never found brassicas sown indoors worked for me, and now always sow outside under a fleece cloche.

(Better still, they quickly catch up and overtake indoor sown seedlings, and don't get attacked by flea beetle or root fly ).

But it sounds like your seedlings get damping off? A variety of fungal infections which take hold if there's too much water and not enough air circulation (too many seedlings close together doesn't help) - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1000/damping_off.asp

Good luck with another sowing - Gavin

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 05 1:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Could be, but I don't keep them SO wet. Possible, I suppose.

Res



Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Posts: 1172
Location: Allotment Shed, Harlow
PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 05 1:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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

...and then they get clubroot.


Tried it last year, buggers found a weak point


It's allways best to cover with fleece or netting and keep the pigeons off with lots of stuff that moves. I use novelty windmills, but my big ladybird flew off somewhere during the winter, and has'nt come back!

I made one up out of aluminium bits and pieces as a replacement cos the pigeons were starting on me purple sprouting brockley. Works a treat. now they go on the neighbours plots instead.

But anything will do and the more of it the better. A single scarecrow dont work! CD's on lengths of string, strung over/along the row. Carrier bags on lengths of string tyied to posts, dotted around the plot are something else that easily flaps around.

whitelegg1



Joined: 05 Apr 2005
Posts: 409
Location: Woodford Green
PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 05 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Rather than using my daughter disney princess CD....might I suggest anytime one goes into a sizeable supermarket...pick up a couple of the freebie internet cd's....

The do come in usefull...pigeon scarers, christmas decos, coasters etc

Res



Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Posts: 1172
Location: Allotment Shed, Harlow
PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 05 1:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I tied one to the tail end of my wirlygig windmill. The CD moves around in light breeze and the whole thing buzzes into action when its windy, like an airplane towing a banner.

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