flowering spinach

[daisymay]

Was trying to start some spinach off in a modular seed tray before I plant it out on the lottie. Been watering them every day etc..  Tucked them beside the cold frame so they have a little shelter, but are still outside.

Was going great till today I noticed about 1/2 of them instead of growing a 3rd set of leaves there is a spike forming in the middle and they look like they are going to flower.

I assume this is not normal behaviour???  ??? ???

any ideas where I have gone wrong, so to not repeat myself?

Thanks

[daisymay]

[weedin project]

Daisymay,

Is it variety "Reddy" by any chance?  I tried a few "Reddy" last month and it has bolted in the same way you describe, but in a greenhouse instead of outside.

[Annadl]

Do all vegetable plants bolt or are there only certain types that will?

Sorry for silly question.

Anna

[tim]

Some things produce seed or fruit that you want. When you don't want it, it is 'bolting'.

With spinach or chard, once it has 'gone', you've 'had it'! Much of ours went this year.

[Annadl]

My first lot of lettuces (salads) I planted 8 weeks ago a doing fairly well.

The chicory one bolted 2 days ago.  Why do they bolt so early?  I actually cut the stem off.  Will the rest of the plant be OK in ground or do I have to take it out now (and eat).  It grew triple the size of the lettuces.

I was on a herb site the other day & they were saying if plants that need regularly fertilizer aren't fertilized regularly that that can cause bolting.  Is that always true?

Anna :)

[tim]

I think you'll find that everything has its own reason. Like sown too early. check in growth, drought etc. And it can be every other plant in a row.

All our flat-leaved parsley has bolted this year.

[Annadl]

It keeps us on our toes ;D ;D ;D

Anna

[busy_lizzie]

This happened to me the first time I planted spinach.  I think in my case it was that we had had a very dry summer and it hadn't been watered regularly.  Ever since then I have grown perpetual spinach, which is much easier to grow. busy_lizzie

[daisymay]

Thanks everyone, least it is not just me!

so... you can guess what my nexty question is....

what is perpetual spinach?? how is it different?

[Annadl]

I was going to ask that ;D

Anna

[busy_lizzie]

Perpetual Spinach is a spinach beet. I planted my seeds in Spring 2004 and they lasted 10 months until they eventually went to seed.  I have just resown some more and now have some fine young spinach leaves growing.  You just pick the leaves when you want them.  See below some info on them.  and also a pic of some of mine from last year.  Hope this helps.  :) busy_lizzie 
 
http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/us/en/product/697/1

[daisymay]

thanks, looks good. The one I have is a special over winter variety I got from the organic seed catalogue, cannot remember the name off the otp of my head now.

I am thinking from the comments above it may have been too hot for it. Will leave it a few weeks and try again.

Will get this for next year though!

thanks for the info  :)

[tim]

Forget Spinach - grow Rainbow Chard!!

[Annadl]

Can you believe it Tim, I was just thinking that.  Swiss Chard.
Haven't found seeds at our local shops & garden centre and haven't done a search for Australian seed catalogues yet.

I think I've gone vege mad!!

Anna

[busy_lizzie]

Have to confess I am very attracted to growing swiss chard too and think I will give it a try next season, couldn't get hold of any for this year.

Have just been to the lottie and  while I was there took some photos, so took one of my perpetual spinach growing to show you.  Last years fared very well during the snow and frosts of winter so I am expecting these to do the same.  :) busy_lizzie