"Robert (Plymouth)" wrote after...
"George.com" wrote ...
Thought I would report back on the 'broccoli-cabbage' question I asked
here
a week or so back.

I planted some 'broccoli' seed a workmate gave me. Some of it went fine,
some of it failed to head. After waiting a reasonable time I decided it
wasn't likely broccoli but maybe some form of cabbage. Some help here and
some googling led me to conculde it may have been a collard green or
'tree
cabbage'.

Anyhow, just to be safe I tried it out on the neighbours, warning them
beforehand that it may be a 'strange' cabbage. The verdict, whatever it
was
"not much chop". The leaves were too bitter apparently. The remaining
plants
have now become a temporary mulch waiting for a crop of sweet potato. The
sweet potato tubers I planted in that spot last weekend have all died.
Maybe
karma for trying to poison the neighbour.

rob

Where are you? I understand that sweet potatoes in the UK should be
planted from rooted slips when the weather warms up in spring. The ones I
tried this year from T and M were a bit of a disappointment but I put that
down to the 3 months of poor summer weather
NZ. Which is why the timings seem strange to us in the UK. George, can I
respectfully suggest a signature like mine to stop any confusion on behalf
of those reading your posts on URG.

I did my own "Slips" this year from the tubers I grew last year from the T &
M slips. Just laid the tubers down in a 2 inch layer of compost in the
greenhouse (min 50°F) and watered a bit, soon the shoots came up and tried
to root into the compost and could easily be pulled off with roots attached
and potted up ready for planting out end of May. Got so many I supplied the
whole site, well those that wanted some.
Haven't dug them up yet, bet the slugs have had a go, they usually do.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
17mls W. of London.UK