The plants have grown but have not formed the bulb at the base. This is the first time I have grown fennel and I'm not sure what the problem is, or more likely, has been..
Maybe someone out there can help me.....
I hope so as I am intending to grow some more....
6 comments:
I don't want to be too discouraging, Ian, but we've never managed to grow fennel successfully - in Wales, England or the Midi! The only consolation is that the 'failed' fennel still tastes good and you can use it! I think it needs quite a lot of heat, so maybe this year just hasn't been hot enough.
Hi,I had the same problem last year then found out from the 'Grow Your Own Veg' book that there are two types of fennel. One grown for seed and one grown for the bulb. Who'd have known!
Just checking, but you did plant it straight in the beds? It hates being transplanted and will bolt without forming a bulb, and it looks like it's bolted to me. Could also be because we have had very hot weather following very wet weather in France. Sorry Ian, I can't resist saying this, but my fennel is looking great right now! In fact I put the first bulb into a veg box today.
Have another go and don't tell anyone about the first 'failure'.
Good luck
Sarah
Sarah's comment is interesting.
We had fennel that bolted without forming a bulb. I also have celeriac which has not formed the bulb it was supposed too.
That plant in the picture is Bronze Fennel. I think the one you need is called Florence fennel. They look different from the start. Here are some baby ones (of he bulb kind) that I am growing now...
http://kapundagarden.blogspot.com/2009/06/sunshiny-day.html
The one that you have there is good for eating though... and for fennel flavur and seeds that are also used for flavouring.
Good luck.
Thanks to everyone for your help.
Yes Jane, it certainly is delicious and I'm hoping to collect the seeds.
And Sarah, just down the road from me, and yours is good!!!!! that counts out the weather......I have sown more and will wait and see...
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