Fennel Failure

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

Hi Everybody.....

I'm new here b.t.w. Very nice site......
Yesterday I dug up the first fennel bulb of the year - the 8th of November for goodness sake! I had complete failure of the previous 3 sowings (bolting). Did anyone else have problems this year, or was it just me? Also, are there any varieties claimed to be bolt resistant? I live in Chester.

What's the point of getting a Mediterranean climate, when you can't grow fennel?

RhubarbThrasher

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

[thomasb]

Hi,
I have read that florence fennel will bolt if sowed when its too cold or alllowed to get too dry.
Do you sow your seeds in modules first?
I do, and had some great fennel this year. I made 2 sowings this year. The first I sowed on 6th May and planted out 10th June. The second sowing was made 10th of June and planted out in mid July (approx.).

The second sowing was by far the most successful. The first sowing was ok, but the second was much bigger. I have been picking it from end of September until last week.

Try sowing in  modules next year.

Regards,
Thomas

[saddad]

I've never had any success with bulb (Florence) fennel but the green and bronze decorative stuff is almost an endemic weed!
::)

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

Hi,

thanks for that. All sowings this year were direct in the ground - April, May and June (and then one last gasp effort right at the end of July). Last year I did a small sowing in pots in April - which worked; a sowing at the end of May in the ground - which bolted, and then a later sowing in the ground, can't remember when, which was OK. Looks like i'll have to keep a better track of exactly when I do things. Spreadsheets - yeuch. I bet Percy Thrower never used one

Cheers
Clive

[Rosyred]

I planted out a few after sowing in modules but only 1 survived and very nice too it was.

[manicscousers]

we got about 7, all from jiffy 7's, they were transplanted into a bed filled up with rotted leaves and grass mixed in with the soil, two others went to seed, still, we got leaf and seed   :)

[plot51A]

I find mid summer sowings usually work best. I start mine off in modules. There are some seed companies (I think Seeds of Italy is one) that offer varieties that say they are good for spring planting - shall definitely try next year.

[Roy Bham UK]

Hi Clive and welcome aboard ;) I grew Fennel Victoria F1 this year around April direct into the ground and they appeared to be doing well but they bolted before reaching the size of those I've seen in the Supermarkets :'( I also have a bad habit of sowing too much of everything, that I must control. ::) ;D

[Hyacinth]

Is it Selma that's less prone to bolting? Had a splendid crop this year - but then I always do  ::) 8) Always start off in peat pots.

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

Peat pots it is then. Just let me find out about Selma. Thought she was married to Bob in The Likely Lads....

[real food]

:)I find bulb fennel quite easy to grow and seldom have any problems in Glasgow. The best sowing period seems to be from mid May to mid June, and I sow directly into the ground. I have a suspicion that it is best to use new seed each year, keep the seedlings moist and watch out for slugs and snails. Drought will definitely make them bolt.

[Merry Tiller]

Just about anything will make them bolt :'(

[Columbus]

Hi all,

I started my fennel in modules and its been fine. I will grow more next year.

I still have some if its not frosted, but it has bolted. (Try putting tough bolted stems inside the cavity of a marrow wrapped in foil and cooked in the oven, the fennel taste infuses right through the marrow,  throw the stems away afterwards, delicious)

I think Bobs wife was Thelma, but I haven`t checked.  ;D

Col

[kitten]

Peat pots it is then. Just let me find out about Selma. Thought she was married to Bob in The Likely Lads....

I think it was Thelma rubarb thrasher lol!

[cleo]

It might be a case of trial and error to find the variety that suits your soil and conditions best.  I do well with `Rudy` but  not with `Zefa Fino`

[chappers]

Always found fennel really easy to grow first sowing start of May then every 4 weeks until the end of July, never had a problem with bolting but do water everyday during the summer.

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

Hi
I may have posted this reply twice....The variety I grew was Chiarino, the only one I could get hold of. Think i'll be more systematic and "trial" a few different ones at the same time. Found Selma at exhibitionseeds.co.uk. £3.70 - expensive?

What size peat pots would people recommend? I used them for a bit years ago, but gave up because they dried out so easily

Kitten - I knew it was Thelma! As a hormonally challenged spotty teenager, I used to fancy her! Iknow she was a terrible nag, but it's the only was to treat a plonker like Bob.

Rhubarb Thrasher

[sweet-pea]

This is my best year so far with fennel, byt still not getting very big bulbs.  I'd be intersted to know what soil preperation, feed etc people use.  Also, how hardy is fennel? mine still seems ok despite the frost.

sp x

[real food]

I use just ordinary allotment soil, but keep it well manured. They must be kept well watered. They will not stand more than a little frost. It causes them to go mushy.

[sweet-pea]

thanks real food, I shall keep an eye out for next hard frost and pull them up before.