Broccoli Blues

sunpuppy · Post: # 2583Post **sunpuppy** » Wed May 04, 2005 11:04 am

I planted some broccoli seeds a couple of weeks ago in a seed tray (the ones with the modules), and put them on a window sill to germinate.

They've come up now, but they are looking very leggy - is this because they're not getting enough light? The windowsill they're on is in a sort of lean-to conservatory type thing attached to the house, with big windows, but it is north-facing, and the plants are leaning to one side towards the window, so I have to keep turning the tray around every day, to make them grow straight.

Andy Hamilton · Wed May 04, 2005 11:24 am

Things can also go leggy from too much water, how often have you been watering them?

sunpuppy · Post: # 2605Post **sunpuppy** » Wed May 04, 2005 6:09 pm

Can't be that - I've watered them, but only a couple of times in the last two weeks....

shiney · Post: # 2606Post **shiney** » Wed May 04, 2005 7:02 pm

Mmm..... overwatering could be the answer to our leggy lavender seedlings, but I thought we'd been sensible about feeding them.

Ours are in our windowsill which gets sun in the morning for a while 'til around 11 ish .(When there is sun!)

So I'll be popping back here for any advice as well Sunpuppy.

Andy Hamilton · Wed May 04, 2005 7:10 pm

shiney wrote:Mmm..... overwatering could be the answer to our leggy lavender seedlings, but I thought we'd been sensible about feeding them.

Ours are in our windowsill which gets sun in the morning for a while 'til around 11 ish .(When there is sun!)

So I'll be popping back here for any advice as well Sunpuppy.

It has been a difficult time, much of my seedlings are 'leggy' too at the moment, it seems to be clear for one day and then overcast for the next 6! The only thing I can think of is to actually put stuff out in the sun whenever you get the chance.

I have 4 lavender plants shiney so when you are next in Bath I could try and sort a cutting out for you if you want.

shiney · Post: # 2608Post **shiney** » Wed May 04, 2005 7:52 pm

Thanks Andy,

I do have some small lavender plants in the garden.(about 4 plants) How easy are they to take cuttings then?

We have a bank that is only held together with grass which we thought would be better covered in lavender plants to keep the soil together. (a) it would smell nice and (b) it looks better than grass and weeds!

Jools had a great idea to grow the plants from seed. A bit of a major project as we'd need quite a few, but if we could get cuttings it would be much quicker to get our lavender bank underway.

Thanks for the offer, I'll take you up on it! 8)

Andy Hamilton · Wed May 04, 2005 8:15 pm

Most of the liturature I have read suggests that it is easier to grow from cuttings then from seed, in fact most seed will not give a 'true' plant by all accounts.

My plants are all about 1-2 years old. They are not huge, but big enough for cuttings to be taken. Never had much call to take cuttings yet, but as long as you do it right it supposedly easy.

shiney · Post: # 2610Post **shiney** » Wed May 04, 2005 8:18 pm

Well I have done rosemary cuttings and they are now quite huge bushes after 4 years.

Another experiment on it's way, me thinks!

Magpie · Post: # 2612Post **Magpie** » Wed May 04, 2005 8:53 pm

It definately sounds like a lack of light for the seedlings.

Lavender is very easy to grow from cuttings, and here in New Zealand, grow to a good size the first season. I never use any rooting hormones or anything, just strip the cuttings of most of their leaves, and shove them in a pot of potting mix.

shiney · Post: # 2625Post **shiney** » Thu May 05, 2005 7:15 am

Magpie, you sound like me when it comes to planting things.

They get stuck in the soil, watered then left to get on with it.

Survive or not survive!

I am probably a rotten gardener as I never pamper my plants.

I have an olive tree that has survived 6 years outside here in the UK, come rain, snow or shine.