Kohlrabi 9/7

[MaryL]

I planted a number of Kohlrabi seeds in the starter. I intend to try some in the AG in addition to outdoors. I’ve always been interested in this strange looking vegetable, but was afraid to try it because I didn’t understand how it grew. After more reading I think I get it now, and it’s quite possible it will do ok in the AG.  I’m excited to grow it.

[Happy]

All I know is that kohlrabi microgreens are delicious.

Mary, do the tubers grow above the deck? Do they need to pollinate?
I'll be following with interest!

[MaryL]

Sept 9, 2018 16:14:13 GMT -5 Happy said:

do the tubers grow above the deck? 

That was the very question that prevented me from trying this earlier! Yes, they grow above ground/deck, and are said to be actually part of the stem, but a part of the stem that swells into the edible ball.  Hence I don’t think they need to be pollinated. I kept searching for pictures of what the roots look like underground to get a further idea of the feasibility of doing this in the AG. They look like regular old plant roots underground, as opposed to a root vegetable like a carrot.  Fingers crossed!

I did not know about the greens - an additional benefit!

[Happy]

Yay!
This should be a fun grow.

BTW, I enjoyed kohlrabi microgreens. I don't know what the mature greens taste like. 

[Happy]

I just realized that I have kohlrabi seeds for sprouting. I'll try growing along with you as soon as space opens up 

[Shawn]

Can't wait to see how this does.

[MaryL]

Sept 9, 2018 16:37:13 GMT -5 Happy said:

BTW, I enjoyed kohlrabi microgreens. I don't know what the mature greens taste like. 

Oh ok, gotcha.

[MaryL]

These are the as yet very unexciting sponges in the starter.  

I have since read 2 reviews of this seed (the only 2 on Burpee’s site) that were quite unfavorable. Both said low germination rate, and those that germinated were weak and/or the stem didn’t swell to the proper size.  I think I should try germinating far more than 3. I wonder if they’ll germinate in a wet paper towel?

[Happy]

Hang in there, Mary.

BTW, whenever I read reviews on seed sites, it seems that there are always people complaining about low germination rate.
Perhaps those are the only people who bother to post? 

[MaryL]

Sept 10, 2018 12:59:13 GMT -5 Happy said:

Perhaps those are the only people who bother to post? 

That’s what I’m hoping. Because Burpee also lists this seed as a customer favorite. 

[MaryL]

I’ve already got life!  Even in the seemingly dud pod, I looked down inside and it has germinated. Of course, it still may fail to thrive, but I think it’s all very promising!

[MaryL]

More life in the struggling seed.

[MaryL]

Today I removed one plant into my snow pea garden, and I’ve left these two destined for a tall machine, and I covered up the other holes with foil to foil algae (sad pun intended). I can’t remember if I fed it or not.

[MaryL]

It looked healthier before.

[MaryL]

This is the sponge I transplanted into my pea garden, for now.  It seems to be doing well.  I have no idea what to expect. I guess I should cut one out. The 2nd picture is of the 2 other sponges that I left in the Starter.  The latter are clearly not as happy than those in the larger garden.  I gave the Starter a few drops of food the other day.

[Shawn]

Both look good even if one is not are tall yet.  I have no clue about trimming any out.  Sorry, I am of no help.

[MaryL]

Fed today appx 8 ml AG (in the big garden).

[MaryL]

Yesterday after I learned that my Sweet Heat had low ppm, I tested every garden, and nearly every garden was really low. I think I was soft pedaling the nutes too much, hoping to not overfeed.  Well, that was way too few nutes. This poor little guy tested at only 27. So I added 4ml AG nutes.

[Happy]

Just today, when I was doing a R&R, I realized that my Buttercrunch lettuce had never been fed nutes!
It's so handy to have something to measure with.
Hope your little guy likes his feeding!

[MaryL]

The plant that I inadvertently left in the pea garden is doing really well. It’s much further along than those I left in the starter. If you look close you can see the bulb forming, at the base of the plant. I’m excited to finally see this!