Help MBE grow his dinner 2011

djohn2002uk

mrbadexample wrote: »

Can I compost the rotten turnips?

I wouldn't. You don't know what is going to be left in the compost after they've rotted and you'll just spread it around again next year.

Lotus-eater

It's no good taking leaves off the plants if you haven't any trusses! We need to find out why you haven't got any more trusses.

MBE, I would compost the turnips, why not? Everything you compost rots, that's the whole idea.

mrbadexample

Lotus-eater wrote: »

MBE, I would compost the turnips, why not? Everything you compost rots, that's the whole idea.

Why not? Well, if I knew what caused it I'd be better able to answer that. I don't want to end up with pathogens in my compost. :undecided

Lotus-eater

I should imagine they were damaged by something and rot set in.

djohn2002uk

Lotus-eater wrote: »

It's no good taking leaves off the plants if you haven't any trusses! We need to find out why you haven't got any more trusses.

MBE, I would compost the turnips, why not? Everything you compost rots, that's the whole idea.

But if it is disease then disease doesn't rot and will be in the compost when it's time to use it. All gardening gurus will advise not to put anything with disease in your compost.
But your advice re the leaves is spot on.

[Deleted User]

Lotus-eater wrote: »

It's no good taking leaves off the plants if you haven't any trusses! We need to find out why you haven't got any more trusses.

.

not correct. The trusses will start forming as the plant tries to grow upwards towards the light. Pinch out shoots as they form until happy with the number of trusses. You can do all this with just a couple of leaves on the plant as I did (and now have a massive lot of tomatoes all enlarging and ripening well)

[Deleted User]

mrbadexample wrote: »

Why not? Well, if I knew what caused it I'd be better able to answer that. I don't want to end up with pathogens in my compost. :undecided

you are right not to compost. I never compost anything in any way doubtful and I have beautiful strong disease-free plants

Lotus-eater

kittie wrote: »

not correct. The trusses will start forming as the plant tries to grow upwards towards the light. Pinch out shoots as they form until happy with the number of trusses. You can do all this with just a couple of leaves on the plant as I did (and now have a massive lot of tomatoes all enlarging and ripening well)

I've been eating toms since the start of July.

I don't know how you come to the conclusion you do, you've only seen what the rest of us have, one small photo, showing one truss, you don't know the state of the plants at all.
The plants could be at the top of the GH for all you know.

mrbadexample

Lotus-eater wrote: »

I should imagine they were damaged by something and rot set in.

I don't think so. According to Dr Hessayon, soft rot is a common problem with swede & turnips, but he doesn't give a cause. It's not the only one that has been affected.

With regard to composting, if it was caused by weather conditions, for example, I'd be happy to compost it. Less so if it's a disease.

Lotus-eater

Well, you takes your choice then