Transplanting Turnips for Seed

paddy mac fisto · Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 1:45 pm Post subject: Transplanting Turnips for Seed

I absolutely hated thinning my turnips (mainly because I'd sown them too thickly and they were seriously over crowded) so i decided I would transplant a couple of the seedlings to see what happens. I know it has to be done but it just seems so...wrong. I'll be sowing alot thinner next time. They did seem to get quite a shock, wilting right back, but they seem to be coming along nicely now sprouting fresh growth. just wondering if anyone knows of anything special I should be doing to get them to run up a seed stalk. Add nitrogen maybe?

Liparis · Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 2:17 pm Post subject:

Nitrogen will encourage leaf, they will probably run to seed anyway which is the reason we don't transplant. Just leave them and let them flower.
Bill.

paddy mac fisto · Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 2:28 pm Post subject: Transplanting turnips

Mother nature does know best really doesn't she. Cheers Bill.

michael brenock · Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 7:39 pm Post subject:

turnips are biennials, ie they grow vegetatively the first season and the second season they produce a flowering stem and if the flowers are pollinated seed will be produced. Bill is right that by adding nitrogen only delays flowering and in normal circumstances this would be good but you want seed, so starve the plants and they will try hard to reproduce. by transplanting the turnips it will hasten the onset of seed production and make them tougher roots. As long as the variety is not an f1 hybrid they will come true to type like the parent. save the seed after the long seed pod turns yellow but before it opens to shed the seed. store the seed in a dry cool place in a sealed jar until next Spring.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

paddy mac fisto · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 7:30 am Post subject: Turnip seed

As always Micheal, your replies are both informative and exhaustive. Ever written a book? The books I have are nowhere near as direct as some of the info you've posted on this site.

michael brenock · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 8:06 am Post subject:

paddy mac fisto thanks for your comments. it is the likes of these comments that makes it worthwhile. I have been an advisor all my life and a gardener for just as longer, my father was a market gardener and i grew up in the garden. i like to help people if i can, love the site. have written a book but not on gardeneing, am writing one on gardening at present.
regards michael brenock

paddy mac fisto · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 8:17 am Post subject: Book

Glad to hear about the book Michael, your posts are always a great help so I'm sure the book will be no different. Any hints as to the other book? I can always use some clear "no bullsh1t" info on pretty much anything. Count me in for a copy of the gardening one in any case... as long as I get a signed one Razz

davidh · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 8:46 pm Post subject:

paddy mac fisto · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:06 am Post subject: Flowering Turnips

The six turnips I transplanted for seed are taking off, flowers are wither formed or forming on them all. I think I need to thin them out a bit cos they're taking over the carrots and onions a little. I probably only need 3 and we'll see how much seed I get.