Parsnips with no long root

mjg000 · « **on:** December 08, 2015, 16:11 »

Took home 2 parsnips - no long root - why not? and a swede extra long ridged neck - why?

Anyone got any ideas?

mumofstig · « **Reply #1 on:** December 08, 2015, 16:34 »

I don't know about the parsnips, but the neck on the swede is normal, it's just usually sliced off when it's harvested

Yorkie · « **Reply #2 on:** December 08, 2015, 19:04 »

Were they all planted in the same area?

It looks as though the parsnips haven't been able to get their roots through a layer of something under the surface, whether carpet / weed suppressant or a hard pan of e.g. clay. But that theory wouldn't work if the swede was in the same bed.

Were they a standard variety?

mjg000 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2015, 19:13 »

No, separate beds, swede was grown from seed and parsnips were a Garden Centre clear out.

boldondig · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2015, 19:23 »

I think you have answered your own question in "garden centre clear out". I have clay soil - over the years I have learned to get success with Parsnips is to sow them in home grown paper pots - about toilet roll length - and plant them out REALY early when first true leaves appear - the long tap root grows at a really fast rate - any delay will mean that the long tap root - which will give you a long parsnip - will be distorted / bent early - and hence eventually short parsnips . Hope that helps ....

DD. · « **Reply #5 on:** December 09, 2015, 07:17 »

Agreed. Even in loo rolls you have to be very careful with transplanting parsnips. As I have 5 thumbs on each hand, I only ever sow direct!

ARPoet · « **Reply #6 on:** December 09, 2015, 07:47 »

I must say that after years of poor results from parsnips, this year sowed parsnip tape seeds from kings, grew them in old cold water tanks and had fantastic results. Easily made my money back. On the down side... i have eaten em all now as they were so nice.

mjg000 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 09, 2015, 10:21 »

Quote from: boldondig on December 08, 2015, 19:23

I think you have answered your own question in "garden centre clear out". I have clay soil - over the years I have learned to get success with Parsnips is to sow them in home grown paper pots - about toilet roll length - and plant them out REALLY early when first true leaves appear - the long tap root grows at a really fast rate - any delay will mean that the long tap root - which will give you a long parsnip - will be distorted / bent early - and hence eventually short parsnips . Hope that helps ....

Well, I had no idea about that - I was just so pleased they were growing well and looked healthy. I'll know better next time and grow from seed! Thanks, boldondig

Yorkshire Lass · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2015, 17:36 »

I have always "chitted" mine and then bobbed them in the ground when I knew the seed was viable, however last year I popped them in the plat and there was a massive rain shower the next day most seeds were washed away. I think I have about 6 parsnips this year.

Headgardener22 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2015, 18:24 »

I've found that the only way to get parsnips to grow to any size is to sow them direct but in a drill of compost. Whenever I've chitted them they don't do as well and growing them in toilet rolls, they get to the bottom of the roll and then grom no longer and fill the roll without bursting through it.

That said, I'm trying to grow them on fairly heavy clay. They are doing better now after years of adding compost and leafmold because the soil is more friable.

mumofstig · « **Reply #10 on:** December 17, 2015, 18:38 »

As I've posted before, they grow through paper pots without noticing

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=103226.msg1154805#msg1154805

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Parsnips with no long root

mjg000

Parsnips with no long root

mumofstig

Re: Parsnips with no long root

Yorkie

Re: Parsnips with no long root

mjg000

Re: Parsnips with no long root

boldondig

Re: Parsnips with no long root

DD.

Re: Parsnips with no long root

ARPoet

Re: Parsnips with no long root

mjg000

Re: Parsnips with no long root

Yorkshire Lass

Re: Parsnips with no long root

Headgardener22

Re: Parsnips with no long root

mumofstig

Re: Parsnips with no long root

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