Last Sunday I dug my first Parsnip. It was pretty much perfect. I had high hopes for the rest of the row. This Sunday – my hopes were dashed. Parsnip after parsnip was stunted and multi-rooted. After several pullings I finally came upon normality.
Did you apply manure to the bed – I hear you ask – NO – is the answer. The soil was friable – no hard pan to make the roots divide – so what went wrong – and why?
I have no idea – have you?
I'm worried now.... I haven't dug up any of mine yet. I'm afraid I can't offer any explanation as to why yours might have forked. Maybe it was the weather (our old standby scapegoat!)
ReplyDeleteIt could have been the weather although I did keep them watered.
DeleteDid you direct sow the seed or plant pregerminated? Tap root damage? I wonder if something nibbled the tap root when tiny.Like Mark we haven't dug ours yet so you have me wondering.
ReplyDeleteThey were direct sown - I looked it up and apparently there could have been some sort of nematode in the soil that causes it!
DeleteAt least yours germinated. At this moment, I wouldn't mind stunted or forked ones, I only managed to get a handful to grow so I'm hoping for good things from them. I can't offer any explanation as to why yours have grown this way, it's usually if the bed's been manured or if the soil's very stoney that they fork.
ReplyDeleteThe bed they are in isn't that stoney - when I had my allotment I never had this problem and the soil there was full of stones.
DeleteWhat a shame that most were like that. I don't grow them so can't help as to what caused it. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteOh well - next year I think I'll grow them in a container in potting compost, and see if that's better.
DeleteMine didn't even germinate! The only time mine came out like that was when I grew them in the greenhouse and then transplanted them, I have no idea what has caused that! What a shame!!!xxx
ReplyDeleteOh that's a shame - I agree transplanting them doesn't work very well.
DeleteI've heard about this happening, but can't remember why. Shame!
ReplyDeleteIt's a disappointment but not much I can do about it now.
DeleteNo wisdom to offer, but I share your pain ! So depressing after all that hard work ! There's always next season!
ReplyDelete