Sprouts - just a quickie

[Buckeye Girl]

When I transplanted my brussel sprout seedings to the allotment I protected them with plastic bottles sleeves.  The plants have now grown roughly 2 feet in height. Can I leave the bottles in place or is it better to cut them off, exposing the entire plant stem?

Thank you.

[Buckeye Girl]

[kt.]

I use cuts  of 5-6" wide drainpipe as sleeves to protect the crops from slugs etc. (About 7-8" lengths).  They are also an added bonus when watering as I fill the inner with water that drains directly down to the roots without wasting water on the weeds....

Ensure they are not too long so as to prevent sprouts maturing at the base of the plant.