[LivvyW]

Hi Lisa 80 - No question too dumb. Bolting means gone to seed prematurely, i think that's the correct terminology for bolting.

 I sowed mine too early, they grew well, if a bit fast, and started flowering (going to seed) in late autumn, instead of growing slowly, and producing sprouts in spring.

The sprouts are the flowers before they flower (if that makes sense)

Hope that helps.

[sunshineband]

Planted PSB on Friday with the children -- who knws how densly they will come up------ watch this space for the latest in micro leaves 

[lisa80]

thanx for explanation may have put mine in too early then .I grew them in a cold frame and have just planted them out, i did just what packet said because i wasnt sure. Will see how they go and will know better for next year.

[kibiza]

Hi me again, did as I said and transplanted PSB yesterday 2ft between rows and plants. Have 56 plants in all, think I may have over done it  I seperated the roots of plants as gently as I could and planted as per instructions watering them in and they looked very sad yesterday, was hoping they would perk up Have just been upto plot and still looking sad. Luckily I have left the others where they were as thought best to see how the others took, glad I did now. The original seed bed they are in is only diddy though so won't end up with many plants at all if I thin out the rest of them. Does anyone know if it takes a couple of days for them to re settle into there new surroundings or do you think i've lost them? What should I do with the remaining 44 I have left in their seed bed?

[sunshineband]

We had really brilliant sunshine here and if you did I think that could account for your psb looking a bit sad.

Even if you water it in well it'll still wilt as it is losing water through its leaves faster than it sdistribed roots can take it up ... can you shade it somehow?

[noshed]

56 may be a few too many - you cut the sprouting bits off and they regrow. Mine are doing well - so well I think they're building up to bolt but it doesn't matter, you can sow some more. Last year I had about 8 plants which kept me and my mates going all winter. There's always time to sow some more in my opinion.

[kibiza]

when you say shade would a fleece be enough or should I try and cut out the sun completely?

[sunshineband]

when you say shade would a fleece be enough or should I try and cut out the sun completely?

Fleece woud be fine, or something like greenhouse shading, which is what I put over my cabbages when they were first planted out as it was baking hot and windy. Just did it for a few days until they were established.

[kibiza]

ok thanks, been raining most of the day here which is good, hope there not drowned now    will fleece them tomorrow as long as they have survived.

[Oliver]

...  do they really need as much space as they recommend?

Yes they do