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Post by raymondo on Jan 5, 2009 4:35:40 GMT -5
Does anyone have any experience at growing this from seed? I sowed some, three germinated, but they don't seem to want to budge past the cotyledon stage! Is it a slow grower? And does anyone know if it can handle -10°C but with no ground freezing?
Edit: The PFAF database says it's hardy to -20°C but other sources say it's only hardy to light frosts!
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Post by canadamike on Jan 6, 2009 3:50:21 GMT -5
Mine have given me more than cotyledon, although they kind of took some time. I seeded them this year. since it is supposed to always be -5 under good snow cover, I decided not to cover them with anything, and hope than some, the toughest, will survive. Frank could tell you more about them. I also have a friend in a colder place that grows them, if I remember well he protects them a bit, I will meet him soon and come back to you.
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Post by stevil on Jan 6, 2009 5:59:27 GMT -5
Raymondo: My experience growing Sea Kale in a cold climate are here: alanbishop.proboards60.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=brassica&thread=1930&page=2I've never successfully grown from seed - as I noted in that link I got seed from a wild population last year. They have grown very slowly as you note... Can't imagine that -10C will be a problem. However, I think it prefers cooler summer temperatures - maybe that will be more of a challenge for it where you are? |
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Post by ottawagardener on Jan 6, 2009 8:10:24 GMT -5
I started 'Lily White' last year and they were slow to grow but definitely had true leaves before winter hit.
So is it -5 under good snow cover. Intriguing to have a value placed on it. Now you have me dreaming big again Michel.
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Post by canadamike on Jan 6, 2009 10:29:03 GMT -5
So is it -5 under good snow cover. Intriguing to have a value placed on it. That's why my wife calls me the nerd ;D |
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Post by plantsnobin on Jan 6, 2009 20:54:00 GMT -5
JLHudson has seeds this year, according to his site give it 1-3 months cold, or crack it out of it's coat to germinate. I am going to give this a go this year.
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Post by stevil on Jan 7, 2009 3:41:39 GMT -5
since it is supposed to always be -5 under good snow cover, I decided not to cover them with anything, and hope than some, the toughest, will survive. Having once spent the night under a good cover of snow, I can tell you that it was surprisingly mild, just about 0C, despite an air temperature of about -10C. Where does the -5C number come from? Soil can also remain practically unfrozen in areas with a good snow cover. |
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Post by stevil on Jan 7, 2009 3:42:46 GMT -5
JLHudson has seeds this year, according to his site give it 1-3 months cold, or crack it out of it's coat to germinate. I am going to give this a go this year. In some years my plants self-seed. |
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Post by canadamike on Jan 7, 2009 4:50:57 GMT -5
From thermometers measuring temperature in Canada my friend  I should have said at minus forty the temperature is minus five. Sorry, I meant the worst and coldest days of winter, not the usuals. We do get minus forty quite often around here, less often than we used too, but still... Were you in the boy scouts too??? We used to sleep in the snow every winter, but shit, we were only guys!  |
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Post by stevil on Jan 7, 2009 5:40:45 GMT -5
Once upon a time, yes I was in the cubs.
However, this occasion was in a self-dug snow hole in the Norwegian mountains as part of a survival course. I've fortunately never had the need to try it again...
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Post by ottawagardener on Jan 7, 2009 8:29:11 GMT -5
Ray: I often read that something is hardy to zone 4 but / and can only take light frosts. I assume this means that the leaves are killed back by heavy frost but the roots survive to zone 4. Of course, I have been known to be wrong before.  And some of the rarer vegetables (heck some of the more common veggies) are listed in various ways to various zones. Sometimes I think it is because it hasn't been tried any further north / south or it will only overwinter in light / heavy soil... and on and on. |
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Post by raymondo on Jan 7, 2009 15:25:37 GMT -5
Stevil, thanks for that. Now keener than ever to get it going. Yes, summer heat might be a problem here. I bought my house just last year and the garden area, about 1000m2, is completely bare so there is no protection from wind or sun. It will be some years before shady, cooler areas develop.
Karen, I cut away the corky seed covering and planted the seeds. These were in fact the recommendations that came with the packet.
Ottawa, you are so right. I've occasionally noticed plants listed to a certain zone when in fact they will grow perfectly well in harsher areas. The reverse is also true, though that's less common.
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I should have said at minus forty the temperature is minus five.
