|
| I've grown broccoli and cauliflower for the last few years with pretty damn good results and I have noticed SOME purpling in the past. This year, I went to containers for my 1st starts and they appear to have MORE purple to them. They also seem to be kind of slow in growing.
Any ideas? Thanks Kevin |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| Typically, the soil is P deficient. Compost will fix that, as will superphosphate. |
|
| It is normal for some varieties. For other varieties it is related to phosphorous uptake by the plants as already mentioned. But it isn't necessarily soil deficiency. Soil temps and cooler air temps can cause young seedlings and plants to 'appear' to be P deficient but as the plants mature and IF soil temps warm, the symptom disappears. In other words, no cause for concern. The condition is very common in tomato, peppers, and eggplants but is also seen in brassicas. Dave |
|
- Posted by stuffradio SW 8A BC (My Page) on Fri, Nov 9, 12 at 1:34
| I had Red Cabbage with purple leaves. Are you sure that's not what it is? |
|
| As I understand it, plants convert starches to sugars in order to survive some freezing conditions. The extra sugars act as antifreeze to protect the cells. This, in turn, gives a purplish cast to those leaves. It also sweetens those otherwise slightly bitter leaves. |
|
| Although San Diego never frosts, or even become so cold that P uptake of brassicas is disrupted. Around here, yes, even with early June transplants if the soil has not warmed thoroughly. IME, tomatoes purple when temps go below 47, and brassicas have to go in the low 40. Granted I have a lot of P in my soil, and I use compost for my pots. |
|
| Thanks Everybody for the replies. It could be just the varieties -- not sure since they were seedlings bought at Walmart and not my normal self-started transplants. It could also be the P. Any quick ORGANIC fixes for that. These were all freshly built container media(planters mix, compost, peat and perlite with SOME bagged vegetable organic fert). I know that bone meal is a good source but it also takes TIME. Stuffradio: Nope. The only cabbage I grow is bok choy. Kevin |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Vegetable Gardening Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.