Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Lazy Daisy on April 28, 2009, 09:43

Title: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: Lazy Daisy on April 28, 2009, 09:43
If any one had followed my thread last night would know I have lost my Brocolli seeds, but at least it gives me the oportunity of asking you lot which you think is the best. I live in West Yorkshire and want Brocolli with a central head which produces lots of side shoots. I know that the proper name is Celebrese but are the seeds still sold as Brocolli. Also the name of the seed company would help.  Many thanks
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: monkeywobbler on April 28, 2009, 09:53
Hallo!
Being new to this myself I can only give you the name of the brocolli I chose to grow - it's called Belstar (F1) and I got it from thompson and morgan; http://www.thompson-morgan.com/seeds1/product/732/2/ (http://www.thompson-morgan.com/seeds1/product/732/2/)

So far it has a fantastic germination rate - every single seed I've sown has germinated and is looking very strong. As you'll see in the link, it gives you a nice head and then plenty of side shoots once this is cut.

Hope that's useful!

Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: Lazy Daisy on April 28, 2009, 10:24
Will have a look at this one thanks, when did you sow yours.??
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: Trebor on April 28, 2009, 10:33
Marathon – either seed or plug plants if you want to catch up. Marshalls is the supplier.

Can’t seem to kill the stuff despite neglect through letting the pigeons strip them and putting out without any hardening off (I look after them a little better now!)
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: Lazy Daisy on April 28, 2009, 10:55
Isn't it too early to plant plugs out yet???
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: DD. on April 28, 2009, 11:03
I wouldn't plant plugs straight out.

Put them into a 3" pot first & grow them on.
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: monkeywobbler on April 28, 2009, 11:21
I started sowing mine about 2 months ago - about 5 seeds every 2 weeks or so. They seem to be doing well and they actually germinate in about 5 days, ready to pot on in a little less than 2 weeks.
The only one that isn't healthy looking is slightly deformed and refuses to grow new leaves - it has its first set fused together! I'm keeping it because it's cute  :wub:
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: compostqueen on April 28, 2009, 11:30
I had good results with Samson  :)
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: DD. on April 28, 2009, 11:53
I had good results with Samson  :)

Not sure we want to know that! :lol:
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: Trebor on April 28, 2009, 12:17
Isn't it too early to plant plugs out yet???

The first were planted out almost a month ago and had a hard time. Plastic bottles over them for a couple of weeks and they are fine now. I think you will find that calabrese and other brassicas can be quite tough and will put up with some abuse.

I also live in Kent, am incredibly impatient and generally can’t help myself when it comes to planting early – if it dies then I keep putting something else in until it survives!
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: Lazy Daisy on April 28, 2009, 12:31
Sounds like darn good advice to me
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: Trebor on April 28, 2009, 12:59
It’s also that plug plants will have a higher survival rate on the allotment than they will in a cardboard box in my garage – no greenhouse and little window space so that is pretty much the choice they have!
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: Goosegirl on April 28, 2009, 14:29
Corvet is my favourite - hard to get hold of now and I don't know why. Beats Tenderstem every time for flavour. Got mine from Robinson's Mammoth Onion place; alas, they're not cheap.
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: billybullock on April 28, 2009, 18:15
Bought pack of 9 from market and everyone has gone blind. Any ideas, did not give variety on pack,but recall as a student that caulis frequently failed to produce growing point. Very frustrating as they look superb .
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: MoreWhisky on April 28, 2009, 19:36
Ive been looking in all my local garden centres for some brocolli plugs but nowhere has them round here!

Am i to late to buy plugs as my seedlings looking very weedy?
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: DD. on April 28, 2009, 19:41
I've not sown mine yet!

I'm holding back a bit on last year as half the purples bolted in the summer. The white ones were fine.

We're still only part way through the sowing period. (April/May).
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: Lazy Daisy on April 28, 2009, 20:50
Okay have decided about the peas (see my other thread) they are a no goer. Brocolli I am trying to see if I can find either, Mammoth or Samson online, I did try to find Covert but got a blank. So this sorts out my first two rows in my 11' x 6' plot. I shall take a pic tomorrow if I can to give you some idea of the layout. I intend to have 3 in one row of one the types mentioned plus 2 or 3 scattered in other places plus another row of maybe 4 Romanesco just coz I love the taste. I shall now start another thread about carrots. If anyone one is getting tired of me either let me know or bog off somewhere else, tee hee, lol :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: Yorkie on April 28, 2009, 21:03
MW have you tried Brunswick Organic Nursery out at Bishopthorpe?  They sell loads of veg plants.  I know they have a list of what they sell and when, might be worth a google or a phone call.
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: mumofstig on April 28, 2009, 21:10
The GCs should have them cos if i remember right you can sow it right up till August.
have another look or sow some more :)
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: MoreWhisky on April 28, 2009, 21:15
Not been there for yrs Yorkie forgot all about that place , cheers  :D
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: Lazy Daisy on April 28, 2009, 21:19
Now I am getting a little fed up, cannot find either Corvet, Marathon or Samson to buy on line. They also need to supply Romensco (sic) seeds also hel :( :(lpp
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: mumofstig on April 28, 2009, 21:28

Quote
cannot find either Corvet, Marathon or Samson to buy on line. They also need to supply Romensco (sic) seeds also hel  :(lpp
Romaneesco is broccoli ....marathon is calabrese
you can get both from here
http://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/chilternseeds/211/moreinfo/d/calabrese+f1+hybrid+marathon/pid/2383654 (http://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/chilternseeds/211/moreinfo/d/calabrese+f1+hybrid+marathon/pid/2383654)
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: Trebor on April 28, 2009, 21:39
Now I am getting a little fed up, cannot find either Corvet, Marathon or Samson to buy on line. They also need to supply Romensco (sic) seeds also hel :( :(lpp

http://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/broccoli-calabrese-marathon-plants-pid2489.html

16 plants for £3.95

and

http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds/pages/vegc-calabrese.htm

75 seeds for £1.75

(I have ordered from both companies before and no problems).
Title: Re: Best Brocolli to grow
Post by: Lazy Daisy on April 28, 2009, 21:52
Still get confused about brocolli and celebese just love the taste of both, however have now found seeds  of both Marathon and Romesco (still can't spell it) on Mr Fotherergills and a nice surprise, no postage.  :lol: