Curly Kale going TALL instead of "w_i_d_e"

Discussion in 'Fruit and Vegetable Gardening' started by vicarious1, Jun 22, 2009.

  1. vicarious1

    vicarious1 Active Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    Burnaby North on a slope facing south & a view :-)
    We bought "Westcoast" Kale seeds and grew the 1st set of seedling and just planted the 2nd set now. The 1st is like over one foot tall now we have been cutting away at it from the bottom
    Usually Kale we see is going WIDE like on seed bag pictures and all( especially in the Communal Gardens in Vancouver)
    Why is ours Kale growing tall and not wide ? We can't get any LONG leaves like the ones we see in the other gardens or on pictures
    A typcal WIDE example can be seen at
    http://artisanfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/boerenkool.jpg or as per copy
    called "Boerekool" Farmer's Cabbage
    Ours is located between tho homes sun from +-9-10am till 2-3pm ( no other choice)
    Some friends say it shooting tall for light as it does not get sunshine the whole day.
    Would love the opinion of some specialist and also would like to know does the Curly Kale also grow in Winter like the RED RUSSIAN ?
    Thanks
    We also found out growing the Swiss Chard between the Kale it grows slower, bolts less and gets less bug nibbeling at it. I also use A LOT eggshells when they are small and plastic greehouses.
     

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  2. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Location:
    Britain zone 8/9
    Looks like it's bolting - producing a flowering stem in its first year, instead of a rosette for biennial growth with flowering next year.
     
  3. vicarious1

    vicarious1 Active Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    Burnaby North on a slope facing south & a view :-)
    ok SO what makes that :-(
    These are "Westcoast seeds" ..really... it should not do that especially if it does not have TOO much light.
    and it said NON BOLTING
    I thought it is the sunlight that makes go bolting ? What it is I can do . Cut off the top ? to make it go wide ? I am growing more than 100 plants ...
     

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