Topic: Nine star perennial broccoli

[glow777]

Hi all
go given a few of these as seedlings today. Anyone got any advice. Googling them puts the in the same size / spacing as PSB other than dont let them flower I cant find much advice. have about 20 due to space restrictions might pot on 6 or so. 

anyone any ideas

[Hyacinth]

I grew it 2 years ago...the florets didn't come huge like I'd thought they would and it was supposed to go on 2-3 yrs I think? Anyhow, they did grow to a monstrous size - over 5' and about 3' width each plant - made quite a hedge!....hundreds of florets of course...I cut them down after the first year. Bit overwhelming, particularly as I'd got 'ordinary' PSB growing as well. Generally, treat it as any other sprouting broccoli & certainly don't let it go to flower if you want to continue cropping.

[allaboutliverpool]

I am reaping the rewards of growing purple sproutig broccoli with daily pullings of heavenly food. I have not tried the perennial sort but I think the same rules must apply.
I planted 8 plants into a deep bed 2.4m x 1.2m and it seems right.
Hovever the plants have all fallen over and are making my whole sight look a mess what with covers to keep the pidgeons off.
My resolution this year is
1. Stake each plant with a 1 1/2 in thick stake putting them into place as soon as I plant the seedlings.
2. build a stout frame covered in fine netting 5 feet high over the whole lot with a removable top. It will keep the cabbage white butterflies off in the summer and the pidgeons off in the winter.
3. Add plenty of mulch to ensure that I do not have to weed.

See my blog photo:-

http://allaboutliverpool.com/blog.html

I shall produce a broccoli page on

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments1_homepage.html

shortly.
 

[Hyacinth]

Yep, stake at the same time you plant, I forgot,  and use stout stakes, not canes. I tie them in with stockings or tights. Can then get a firm tie which doesn't cut in to the stem.

[saddad]

Mine last two or three years, forgot to stake last years so the stems are growing round in circles... got some good Cauli sized central heads...
 ;D

[Squashmad]

Were do you get seeds of this? I read about it ages ago and it sounds great - but don't think I've seen it in any of the seed catalogues I've looked at.

[bennettsleg]

I went and bought some seeds this year, would you like some? 

If so, please PM me your address and I'll get them in the post, according to the packet there's still time to sow them.

Must confess - bit alarmed at the reports of the sheer SIZE of them! :o ;D

[shirlton]

I got some too so am glad that all this info is forthcoming. Have those of you who have grown it started it off in trays or put it straight out

[theothermarg]

have grown them and they are tasty alright if you have the space and don,t like things looking tidy OH nearly had a breakdown at the untidy patch of barassica,s
out of rotation would try them again if i had more room
ps have to keep picking to keep florets coming
marg

[Hyacinth]

Shirl I start mine off in peat pots then plant out. Reason for this?........bl**dy cats >:( At least I can protect individual plants, otherwise wouldn't bother..

[shirlton]

Ta very muchly Lish. Will do mine that way.

[tim]

For what it's worth...........

1. Why 9 Star when you have varieties of P or WSB that crop over at least 8 months of the year.

2. 3 years in situ doesn't sit well with rotation?

3. When you've trampled the soil for 3 years, who's going to dig it?

4. Yes - it is even huger than PSB - so at least 3' spacing. An awful lot of ground for the return?

5. It's nice............!!