Bolting only when dry?

conradcpt 8/9/2011, 6:45 am

Hi,

This is probably a stupid question, but just veggies only bolt (go to seed) when the soil is dry?

My Pak Choi and lettuce is bolting and I'm just wondering if this is happening because they're reaching the end or if the soil it dry?

Thanks,
Conrad

Unmutual 8/9/2011, 9:05 am

Vegetables bolt because of day length(the amount of sunlight they get), this triggers to the plant that the weather is about to get warm, so it's time to reproduce and die. I see you're in South Africa, so I assume that your winter is about to end(or at least your cabbage and lettuce seem to think so). Try harvesting some leaves and snipping off the seed stalk. If the plants still taste okay(and not too bitter), then eat them. If they are already too bitter, rip them out and toss them into the compost pile so you can plant something else if the dates are right.

Lack of watering usually causes wilting and yellowing of leaves, followed by plant death if not taken care of in time.

BackyardBirdGardner 8/9/2011, 9:31 am

I also think "stress" is a huge factor in bolting. The plant nears it's end cycle due to several factors and starts looking for an excuse to reproduce. Drought, daylength, temperatures, hailstorms, etc, can all lead to premature bolting. However, the bolting process is irreversable, too. Once it starts, clip the remaining leaves. Any new leaves will likely taste bitter.

conradcpt 8/9/2011, 10:40 am

Thank you both.

Should I dry out the seed stalk in order to use the seeds or how does that work?

boffer 8/9/2011, 10:52 am

conradcpt wrote:Thank you both.

Should I dry out the seed stalk in order to use the seeds or how does that work?

Perhaps you could read up on it and make a contribution in this thread? thanks

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t8573-member-collaboration-seed-saving

BackyardBirdGardner 8/9/2011, 2:12 pm

I was just thinking the same thing. My thought, "Sure, if you want to attempt to save the seeds....but you get Pak Choi or lettuce in the saving seeds thread!" What a riot...lol.

In all seriousness, please try, Conrad. Do some research on the net if you can and post your results in that thread. Any attempt is a good attempt, imo, as long as it gets explained. It would really be a big help to other SFG'ers out there.

conradcpt 8/9/2011, 5:10 pm

boffer wrote:
conradcpt wrote:Thank you both.

Should I dry out the seed stalk in order to use the seeds or how does that work?

Perhaps you could read up on it and make a contribution in this thread?
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t8573-member-collaboration-seed-saving

I'd be happy to start helping here. Laughing

I will look around tomorrow. Late here already. Sad

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