Brussel sprouts problems - Ask Extension
It’s my first time growing Brussel Sprouts and so far I’ve only gotten sprouts that are kind of loose instead of like little cabbages. Not sure ...
Knowledgebase
Brussel sprouts problems #825555
Asked April 13, 2023, 7:24 PM EDT
It’s my first time growing Brussel Sprouts and so far I’ve only gotten sprouts that are kind of loose instead of like little cabbages. Not sure what I am doing wrong. These were transplants that overwintered pretty well. I may have overdone it on fertilizer in the fall. I also had cauliflower in the same raised bed which I now know isn’t ideal. I used row covers to overwinter and now lightweight one to keep bugs out. Of course it recently warmed up a lot so they started bolting and I cut the tops off to stop the flowering. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi- bravo for trying to overwinter Brussels sprouts. We have seen broccoli overwinter in Central MD under a row cover and produce decent heads the following spring. We have not seen this done successfully with cauliflower or Brussels sprouts.
Although Brussels sprouts is probably the most cold-hardy of the cole crops it is genetically wired to produce flowers and seeds in year 2 of its growth cycle once plants have been exposed to sufficient cold weather (vernalization). Cutting the tops will stimulate side shoots that will also quickly flower rather than produce tight, edible buds.
The better approach is to plant for a fall/winter harvest.
Jon
Although Brussels sprouts is probably the most cold-hardy of the cole crops it is genetically wired to produce flowers and seeds in year 2 of its growth cycle once plants have been exposed to sufficient cold weather (vernalization). Cutting the tops will stimulate side shoots that will also quickly flower rather than produce tight, edible buds.
The better approach is to plant for a fall/winter harvest.
Jon
Oh, I had no idea. Thank you! I will harvest seeds then I guess.
Janice
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
On Friday, April 14, 2023, 9:10 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Hi- Brussels sprouts have perfect flowers but they have a built-in pollination incompatibility. Flowers on the same plant can't pollinate and fertilize each other. Assuming the variety you planted is open-pollinated, you would have to have at least two plants to get viable seeds. Also, pollen from broccoli or cauliflower flowers that are open at the same time could be carried by bees to the Brussels sprouts flowers causing contamination.
Jon
Jon
