Trouble with Asparagus

Discussion in 'Planting, growing, nurturing Plants' started by Yuralani, May 23, 2008.

  1. Yuralani

    Yuralani Junior Member

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    A friend of mine has been growing asparagus for a while. some crowns are big and fat and others are weak and spindly. They all have the same soil, water, sunlight. What's wrong?

    The spindly ones are scattered through the fat ones - there isnt a patch of weak ones.

    Any ideas?? thanks 'Lani
     
  2. Raymondo

    Raymondo Junior Member

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    Re: Trouble with Asparagus

    They could be just dud plants. Dig them out and replace them.
     
  3. urbanpermasuccess

    urbanpermasuccess Junior Member

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    Re: Trouble with Asparagus

    I am not sure, but there is a difference between the male and female plants. Some produce better spears depending on the season. I am not sure which produce the better spears but I just harvest whatever is big enough. Dont harvest asparagus untill at least the 3rd year in the ground. If your soil / water is not salty, try adding a little bit of salt. Good Luck.
     
  4. SueinWA

    SueinWA Junior Member

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    Re: Trouble with Asparagus

    Tell your friend to let them be until small fruits form. Any plant with fruits (little red balls, 1/4"/5cm diameter) is female. He should note if the female plants are the weedy-looking ones. If they are, they can be dug out and replaced with males, which are more productive.

    Otherwise, he should probably top them in fall with 6"/15cm or so of good manure.

    Sue
     
  5. Yuralani

    Yuralani Junior Member

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    Re: Trouble with Asparagus

    Thanks everyone

    I will pass the information on to him.

    I've learnt new things about asparagus in the process :D

    'Lani
     
  6. Michaelangelica

    Michaelangelica Junior Member

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    Re: Trouble with Asparagus

    Young seedling asparagus are very thin an wispy. it takes about 3 years for them to get to a 'store bought' size. However all sizes are tasty especially the small ones.
    Even when they turn into "ferns' the tips can be nibbled off.
    Very little of my asparagus ever arrived in the kitchen.

    Your older asparagus could be seeding and what you see is the new young new plants amongst their parents.

    A very easy, pretty plant to grow asparagus.
     

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