Kohlrabi is a popular type of cabbage and is therefore grown in many gardens. The tastiest part is the tuber. But what if none develops? Find out here what to do if kohlrabi does not form a tuber.

In a nutshell

  • Tuber is the edible part of kohlrabi
  • grows above the ground and is caused by primary thickening of the shoot axis
  • The size, color and shape of the tuber vary depending on the variety
  • The most effective way to prevent tuberculosis from forming is to identify and prevent the causes
  • Avoid care mistakes, increase resilience, protect against diseases

Why is it?

If the kohlrabi does not form a tuber, this can have various causes. In most cases, planting and care errors are responsible for this. So it may be that the kohlrabi was planted too deep or that no distances were kept between the plants. Other causes can be too much nitrogen fertilization or temperatures that are too cool. In addition, not observing crop rotation and a clubroot associated with it can prevent tuber formation, as can so-called heartlessness or the purchase of inferior plants.

Tip: Incidentally, the leaves of kohlrabi are also edible, they contain significantly more healthy ingredients than the tuber.

Pay attention to the planting depth and spacing

Plants that do not develop tubers can actually only be disposed of. In order not to have this problem with new plants, it is important to avoid causes such as planting too deep. It is best to plant them as deep as they were in the pot beforehand, about two to four centimeters deep. The distances between the plants are at least as important. About 30 cm is recommended here.

Do not plant kohlrabi too closely in the vegetable patch!

Tip: If the planting is too dense, and the young plants may not have been isolated, the kohlrabi plants cannot form tubers because there is simply not enough space.

Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilization

Incorrect or excessively nitrogenous fertilization can also lead to problems with tuber formation and completely or partially prevent them.

  • too much nitrogen causes plants to sprout
  • Tubers are not or only partially formed
  • Needs-based fertilization promises to help
  • liquid fertilizers or organic fertilizers are suitable
  • commercially available liquid fertilizers have a short-term effect
  • therefore administer once a week
  • organic fertilizers have a long-term effect
  • only fertilize once during the entire cultivation period
  • at best at the beginning of the culture directly at the planting

Tip: A lack of nutrients or water can also cause the kohlrabi plants to start flowering and not develop tubers. Therefore, they should be watered regularly throughout the culture.

Protection from heartlessness

Cold plays a role insofar as it can not only lead to tearing and bursting when cultivating young plants or their propagation, but also to the fact that kohlrabi does not form a tuber.

Young kohlrabi plants are preferred and do not like the cold.
  • Temperatures below twelve degrees are problematic
  • The result can be so-called heartlessness
  • occurs mainly in spring
  • with too cold cultivation and sensitive varieties
  • Growing point stops growing prematurely
  • Plant no longer forms new leaves
  • shoot up or into the weed
  • Tubers are not formed
  • Remedy only through preventive measures
  • Kohlrabi plants need warmth
  • pay attention to germination temperatures of 18-20 degrees
  • after germination 12-14 degrees recommended

Protect against clubroot

Clubroot is a so-called crop rotation disease. It can also lead to the kohlrabi not forming a tuber. It is caused by a parasite that can persist in the soil for several years and infest the roots of cruciferous vegetables, including kohlrabi. One of the most important measures to protect against these pathogens is to observe and comply with crop rotation. This means that kohlrabi should be grown at the earliest every four, better every seven years in the same location or where other cruciferous plants were grown.

Be sure to observe the crop rotation in the vegetable patch!

Use high quality plants

If the kohlrabi does not develop tubers, it can also be due to inferior plant material. Kohlrabi plants that are commercially available in spring are often planted in small pots. Sometimes they stand cramped in these planters for several weeks. As a result, they cannot develop and only shoot up. At some point they are over-permanent, i. H. They are actually fully developed in terms of age and have practically skipped the stage of tuber formation.

Tip: When buying kohlrabi plants, you should also make sure that the root ball is firm, the leaves are healthy and lush green and that small nodules are already visible. It is best to buy them from a gardener or in garden centers, where the quality is usually better.

frequently asked Questions

How long does it take for tubers to form?

Depending on the time of planting, early varieties can be harvested from April/May and late ones into October/November. It can take six to twelve weeks from sowing until the first tubers are ready for harvest.

When can you start growing kohlrabi plants?

A pre-culture is possible from mid-February? Before finally planting them outside around mid-April, harden them off for about ten days by placing them outside during the day and bringing them back in at night. Or you can cover it with fleece overnight.

How can you tell if a tuber is inedible?

If the kohlrabi is in the ground until the leaves wither, it can usually only be used for boiling. Even if the tubers are already woody, they are usually inedible.

Is it possible to promote tuber formation with ideal planting partners?

In fact, some plants can be conducive to tuber formation or growth, provided the kohlrabi plants themselves are of good quality. Good neighbors are, for example, radishes, bush beans or marigolds and marigolds. The latter are known for their pest repellent properties.

Category:

Vegetable garden