Rocketing Rocket...

Moorf · Post: # 9379Post **Moorf** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:32 am

Why oh why does every rocket plant I put in the garden bolt to seed/flower within days?

(is that the right terminology?)

Moorf

nick · Post: # 9397Post **nick** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:04 am

check the climate requirement for the variety you are growing. also that the plants arnen't under moisture stress.

Millymollymandy · Wed Jan 25, 2006 1:00 pm

It does do that, might be best to plant it in spring or autumn only. I found the same thing with coriander (going to seed after only getting about 4 leaves), only to find it is fully hardy and it has been growing steadily all through this winter (and had minus 8C several times!).

ina · Post: # 9451Post **ina** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:57 pm

Wish I had your problem - mine didn't grow very far at all! It really is a temperature thing (and water, I suppose). We had too little of the first, and enough of the latter! My coriander did very well, though - lastet for ages, despite the threats of it supposedly going to seed very soon!

Ina

Moorf · Post: # 9489Post **Moorf** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:06 am

I think I have the fastest growing rocket EVER! I cut it down yesterday and today it's nearly 2 foot tall!!

Oh god, don't mention coriander - can't get that to stop going to see either!

Arrrghhh

The basil seems happy tho!

Wombat · Post: # 9492Post **Wombat** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:31 am

Yeah, I think it is temperature related...........mine bolts pretty well in this weather too!

Nev

Millymollymandy · Thu Jan 26, 2006 6:56 am

There is a variety of coriander called SLOBOLT which has been bred for the leaves whilst the 'normal' varieties are bred for producing seed, apparently.

It has always made me wonder how they manage in Asia, where coriander leaf is used so much in the cuisine.

Moorf · Post: # 9500Post **Moorf** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 7:34 am

Is it useless once it's gone to seed? Mine's gone very stalky but the leaves seem fine - I just chop it down each day (altho I fear I'll need an axe soon!!

)

Wombat · Post: # 9507Post **Wombat** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:28 am

I think the flavour gets very strong but if you like it, that's OK (I find it revolting).

Nev

Millymollymandy · Thu Jan 26, 2006 12:51 pm

Once the leaves start going all frilly (which is when it starts bolting) the flavour changes from nice to not so nice. As opposed to revolting! But then I love coriander!

Millymollymandy · Thu Jan 26, 2006 12:55 pm

Anyway, the trick is to just keep sowing seed, little but often. If you run out of space you can put a few seeds in amongst your flower beds as the seeds are large and manageable and the seedlings are easy to spot.

You can use the roots crushed in Thai soups. I freeze mine and use when needed. It adds coriander leaf type flavour.

I have 3 jam jars of seeds too and just used some in home ground curry powder.

Wombat · Post: # 9543Post **Wombat** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:25 pm

Maaaate!

What's your recipe for homemade curry powder?

Nev

Millymollymandy · Fri Jan 27, 2006 6:26 am

I followed a recipe Nev! I've got a great book called 'Cooking with Chillies' by Meg Jump and it gives lots of curry powder/garam masala recipes, for different countries. I'm not sure if I like the smell of the one I made because I'm not so sure I like the dry roast cumin flavour. But I will give it a go cooked and see what it is like.

The garam masala I made smells wonderful though - sort of pumpkin pie spices with black pepper in! Yum!

Wombat · Post: # 9563Post **Wombat** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 7:23 am

Thanks M3,

I'll keep an eye out for it, in the meantime want to share one you like?

Nev

Millymollymandy · Fri Jan 27, 2006 7:30 am

Will copy some out later, Nev!