[Lazy Daisy]

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

[monkeywobbler]

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/

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!

[Lazy Daisy]

Will have a look at this one thanks, when did you sow yours.??

[Trebor]

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!)

[Lazy Daisy]

Isn't it too early to plant plugs out yet???

[DD.]

I wouldn't plant plugs straight out.

Put them into a 3" pot first & grow them on.

[monkeywobbler]

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 

[compostqueen]

I had good results with Samson 

[DD.]

I had good results with Samson 

Not sure we want to know that!

[Trebor]

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!

[Lazy Daisy]

Sounds like darn good advice to me

[Trebor]

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!

[Goosegirl]

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.

[billybullock]

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 .

[MoreWhisky]

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?