Probably going to admit defeat. I use the most canker resistant variety I
can find and a make a hole (or inverted cone) about 3 ft deep and 4 inches
wide at the top and fill it with sand . I sow 3 seeds at the top and I thin
to one. I get the most contorted cankerous offerings imaginable - what more
can I do?

"Trevor Appleton" wrote in
. com:

Probably going to admit defeat. I use the most canker resistant
variety I can find and a make a hole (or inverted cone) about 3 ft
deep and 4 inches wide at the top and fill it with sand . I sow 3
seeds at the top and I thin to one. I get the most contorted cankerous
offerings imaginable - what more can I do?



Instead of sand try compost.
The roots are probably trying to find food, and I don't think sand has any,
so may send out multiple roots to find food.
Are you confusing canker with forking?

Baz

"Trevor Appleton" wrote ...

Probably going to admit defeat. I use the most canker resistant variety I
can find and a make a hole (or inverted cone) about 3 ft deep and 4 inches
wide at the top and fill it with sand . I sow 3 seeds at the top and I thin
to one. I get the most contorted cankerous offerings imaginable - what more
can I do?

We sow our Parsnips in a similar way but use spent compost from my repotting
of stuff, not sand. We do get some canker but the roots are usually so big
you can just cut off the cancer bit and use the rest. Don't get much
forking.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK

Black rot (canker) and forking - all very severe whatever I do.

"Baz" wrote in message ...

"Trevor Appleton" wrote in
. com:

Probably going to admit defeat. I use the most canker resistant
variety I can find and a make a hole (or inverted cone) about 3 ft
deep and 4 inches wide at the top and fill it with sand . I sow 3
seeds at the top and I thin to one. I get the most contorted cankerous
offerings imaginable - what more can I do?



Instead of sand try compost.
The roots are probably trying to find food, and I don't think sand has any,
so may send out multiple roots to find food.
Are you confusing canker with forking?

Baz