Kohlrabi

[widgetwilk]

First time I have tried these, bought and planted 'ages' ago, this is what has happened,
all leaves and nothing else, any ideas what to do?? or shall I just leave them and see what happens,
I planted them the same time as my broad bean plants and I now have beans forming on them

[widgetwilk]

[goodlife]

Kohl rabi don't need much fertilizer if any if the soil is fertile enough..too rich and you end up growing just leaves. Now..did you fertilize yours?
Those won't bulb up anymore...but you can still eat the leaves like you would kale.

[widgetwilk]

No did not fertilise, I use to have a small box hedge where it is now, and that got box blight last year so removed it all and grew broad beans and this there, beans are doing fine.

Will try the leaves tomorrow.
thanks

[squeezyjohn]

Mine are smaller this year than last autumn's crop - but are starting to bulb up a bit now.  I think the amount of water they get is probably also a factor in how big the bulbs get - and there was no shortage of when the last lot were growing - but this lot are a bit dryer.

I didn't know about the no-fertilizer thing - I've just given mine a shot of chicken pellets hoping they'd bulk up a bit ... oh well!

[Crystalmoon]

I didn't realise I shouldn't be feeding mine either that will explain why I only got leaves last year & it looks like the same will happen this year...doh! silly me...luckily I love the leaves lol

[goodlife]

Actually...I should define the 'no fertilizer' claim bit more...
I should have said 'too much nitrogen rich fertilizer...but..then there is the other 'problem' with nutrients..not enough right kind of nutrient or it is locked up in soil and plants can't get it.
When I do my turnips, kohl, swedes ..all the 'root' brassicas..I give the soil sprinkle of BFB and that's it.. there should be enough to for those crops...particularly turnips and Kohl are 'quick' crops and their demand is not great..to get big swedes, bit of additional chicken pellets early in growing season will help the plants to bulk up so they are able to make bigger roots=swede later on.

Being brassicas...touch of lime will help them to access all the nutrients that is needed..that could be 'straight' dusting of lime of  some added commercial compost in planting hole (multipurpose compost has added lime). Usually there is enough phosphorus in the soil for root growth but as brassicas like higher PH..that nutrient become less available if the soil is not alkaline enough.
If I were getting trouble with my brassica 'roots'...I would remedy that before growing the next batch by giving the soil dusting of bone meal..mixing bit of multipurpose compost with pinch of added lime into soil and then plant my plugs.
..sounds like recipe  Compost has some fertilizer in it anyway so all the 'incredients' for good growth is provided for all they need after that is just water...

[widgetwilk]

So glad to see I am not the only one with 'just leaves'
am going to try cooking them tomorrow,

[George the Pigman]

I've never had a lot of success with Kohl Rabi. They either give no edible stems or get woody even when small!
Any tips would be gratefully received!

[George the Pigman]

Further to my earlier post have a look at this  video on Kohl Rabi growing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIM7Eu-KALs

[BarriedaleNick]

I've had some great Khol Rabi this year - some purple variety that Ill have to remember for next year but they have been quick, fruitful and tasty.
Just gave the soil a few shovels of manure and they went away...

[widgetwilk]

Thanks George for the youtube, very interesting,
glad yours are ok Barriedale.

[widgetwilk]

Tried the leaves cooked yesterday, bit tough,hard and tasteless,
perhaps I did not cook long enough,