My Asian cabbage appears to be flowering. Why is it flowering?
It doesn’t look like it was mistakenly mislabeled. It looks like cabbage. Beautiful young three-inch cabbage with no heads and flower buds. I think I’d feel this way if my kid brought home an all-A report card and the next day her teacher called me up to say “Your child is in danger of failing if she doesn’t shape up and stop making paper airplanes in class.”
Of the two Sorrento broccoli, one is also budding–but then, it’s supposed to, though not this early, I think–and the other has been all along, in two- and three-flower groups,a because it apparently never got over being inside. There is one Green Goliath broccoli that’s doing well, and while it looks fine at the moment, I’m not hopeful. I’m discouraged about this growing brassicas idea. At least the kale looks okay…for now.
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May 9, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Meg
Oh, that sucks! I’ve learned that brassicas don’t handle stress well when they’re young–anything a little bit off with their light, water, soil, temperature, or whatever, will send them into fits. Our broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and regular cabbage are doing okay, but our (three-inch tall) kale and bok choy are flowering and setting seeds like crazy.
May 11, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Jenny
I guess I have a lot to learn when it comes to growing brassicas. I hope your well-behaving ones continue to do well!
May 12, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Patrick
I’m sorry if you said already what kind of Asian cabbage, I haven’t read many of your previous posts. Depending on the type of cabbage, it may need to be fall (meaning August) planted, because it can’t tolerate summer heat. This is certainly the case with napa cabbage (sometimes called Chinese Cabbage). I would think bok choy might be okay summer grown, but kale is certainly better grown in cooler weather.
May 12, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Jenny
Patrick, these seeds were labeled Chinese–I got them at a seed swap and figured that was just a generic name from a grower who didn’t really know the type, but perhaps they’re napa. I guess I’ll try them in the fall and see how it goes, then. Thanks.