Flat kale

[Cows 'n grass]

The last time I grew a main crop kale it all went flat and I swore I'd never grow it again but I obviously forgot and grew more last year. It all went flat again.

It started off looking great and then when it turned wet and windy in October it all went completely flat but has tried to grow up a bit again now. Some of the stems that are touching the ground have started to rot off and on a wet day a lot gets trodden in.

Is it possible to keep a crop standing? This is bombadier and sovereign. The bombadier is probably slightly worse than the sovereign.

 

[scholland]

Maris kestrel here and still standing.
More wind here too I would think.
Any deficiency?

 

[Cows 'n grass]

We get our share of wind down here too.

pH. 6.5
P. 1
K. 2+

 

[davidroberts30]

It's too strong,graze it sooner

 

[scholland]

We get our share of wind down here too.

pH. 6.5
P. 1
K. 2+

Pretty certain it isn't your wind.
Too much N? Lot of slurry?

 

[tinsheet]

Thousand head here, not had it go flat like that! Can get up to 4ft in a good year, flea Beatle hammered it this year.
As above to much nitrogen?

 

[Dave6170]

Heres our interval rape and italian ryegrass this year, went flat start of august. Never had it do this before. So much waste. I think it was growing like crazy and buckled under its own weight. Fattened a third of the lambs it should of

 

[Chae1]

The last time I grew a main crop kale it all went flat and I swore I'd never grow it again but I obviously forgot and grew more last year. It all went flat again.

It started off looking great and then when it turned wet and windy in October it all went completely flat but has tried to grow up a bit again now. Some of the stems that are touching the ground have started to rot off and on a wet day a lot gets trodden in.

Is it possible to keep a crop standing? This is bombadier and sovereign. The bombadier is probably slightly worse than the sovereign.

When was it drilled?
How much N?

I'd try and console myself that those stalks left behind aren't completely wasted they'll break down and feed soil/bugs.

 

[Cows 'n grass]

It's too strong,graze it sooner

It wouldn't be much good as a winter crop if I was grazing it sooner. Next year I will go back to later sown forage rape.

 

[Cows 'n grass]

When was it drilled?
How much N?

I'd try and console myself that those stalks left behind aren't completely wasted they'll break down and feed soil/bugs.

Sown mid may. 150kg N as DAP and urea. No dung or slurry.

They're actually wasting less than I expected. My worry is partly what a bigger it'll be to work up in the spring if they haven't rotted.

 

[Agrivator]

Sown mid may. 150kg N as DAP and urea. No dung or slurry.

They're actually wasting less than I expected. My worry is partly what a bigger it'll be to work up in the spring if they haven't rotted.

I seem to recall that Kale and Urea is not a good combination. Next year, try Ammonium Nitrate instead.

 

[Cows 'n grass]

Pretty certain it isn't your wind.
Too much N? Lot of slurry?

Rugby world cup final day was the strongest wind I've ever experienced so that might not have helped.

 

[betweenthelines]

What about a higher seed rate? If it's nice and thick, it can't fall over.

 

[neilo]

I seem to recall that Kale and Urea is not a good combination. Next year, try Ammonium Nitrate instead.

Why on earth would that be? Both supply nothing but N.

 

[neilo]

A bit of potash may have helped perhaps, whether from the bag or muck?

I’ve never seen Kale do that either.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Old Kale Varieties never did that

 

[Agrivator]

Why on earth would that be? Both supply nothing but N.

Google ''Kale and Urea Antagonism''. My knowledge of the interactions between urea toxicity, seedling development and its effect on subsequent physiological characteristics in the adult plant, has not developed beyond basic degree level, but a search as suggested might convince you that not all I say is rubbish.

You could spend a lifetime studying the physics and chemistry of a spoonful of soil, and still only scratch the surface.

Or even more unbelievable, there are more molecules in a pint of beer than there are grains of sand in the whole world.

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

Planted too early for winter grazing now.
We never plant before June and if you are brave before the last thunderstorm in July. However flea beetle is such a big problem I can understand why you would want to plant earlier.

The old fashioned varieties would suit you better if you are grazing it with cattle and go for Thousand head.

 

[digger64]

Apretty t of potash may have helped perhaps, whether from the bag or muck?

I’ve never seen Kale do that either.

Mines done it this year , the crop had n etc pre drilling then some 3 weeks later as rec , drought has caused this effect we had enough rain for germination but late Aug and sept it really struggled with drought , didn't really grow until mid Oct onwards the n etc was still there hasn't had any dry / or real cold since I think it's still growing , it's OK though despite (I thought nitrate and fog fever might occur so far so good )all I have a reasonable crop and have used 30 % as planned for the 1/2 /20 , if it snows though I think I will loose it as it won't be strong enough to carry the weight , also I expect it to bolt early this year as they are already harvesting daffodils in the fen 50 miles away . Most of the crops in the pics are to thick mine is to we only direct drilled 1.1 kg / per acre ,

 

[Keepers]

I would almost say it’s been planted a tiny bit early, forage rape is an easier one to grow though.

maybe try a small amount of it for next year but planted in June and see how it goes?

My forage rape was planted in August and is doing well for a winter grazed crop, thought it would have died a bit by now but it’s still strong and the flea beetles somehow didn’t eat it at all