This is my first year of Brussel Sprouts - and they've done really well, and the plants are huge.
But I've noticed looking at the points where the sprout are beginning to develop that they are not tight little growths - but a bit 'fluffy' looking and open. Is this something I should worry about at this stage?
I can post pictures later.
Ta
Sophie
Hate to say this, but that's quite a common failing. Exactly why, I don't know. Some say loose soil.
I doubt that they will come to anything useful.
This is how they should be......
Yes, "The answer lies in the soil"
Brussells Sprouts require a firm bed (like I do). When you are preparing the bed for sprouts you should tread the soil down tight. When transplanting any brassica's my father always allowed them to wilt before planting them, saying "it encourages root growth" (seeking water). Some people believe in watering the planting hole with boiling water to get rid of nearby soil pests but allow time to cool before planting.
Stake your plants too if you are in a windy area.
The wind will rock the plants loosening the soil around the roots and this will cause loose buttons.
Im sure I once read something about too much nitrogen at the planting out stage had something to do with loose buttons too but I cant be sure of that.
Sophie - if all else fails, TLC the tops - they're the best bit!!
Thanks for that - I was pretty firm with them when they went in, but have left well alone since (because of the netting).
But I did dress the surrounding soil with a handful of Blood Fish and Bone - might this have done it?
Different plants seem to be at different stages - so maybe I'll get some good ones.
generally the only reason you need to make sure that ANY of the brassicas are firmly planted is because they get to be top heavy and the winds can shake them out of the ground or knock them over causing them to be useless - richness of the soil is essential but only if the soil is poor to begin with so too much manure or manure that is not rotted or BFB will be the cause of 'blown' sprouts but they do love lime, calcified seaweed and the like - hope useful
I have a row of sprouts in and some are fluffy and open but others aren't.
I remember when I first started planting earlier this year (March) one of the old boys advice to me was that I'd planted them too early and that they would grow 'opened' and sure enough, one or two of them have done.
I'll try again later in the year in 2008 and see what happens.
Quote from: miniroots on August 18, 2007, 09:24:54
This is my first year of Brussels Sprouts - and they've done really well, and the plants are huge.
But I've noticed looking at the points where the sprout are beginning to develop that they are not tight little growths - but a bit 'fluffy' looking and open.
I have 2 plants doing this. The end plant on opposite sides of the bed, with loads of others in between that all have tight buttons. It looks as if the sprouts themselves have blown. I have left them in for now to see what comes of them.
Admittedly - these 2 plants are also the 2 largest of my sprout plants. (30 in total - Fill Basket & Maximus)
hiya will my fluffy brussells taste the same ,eg mashed brussells.
This is my reply to similar query in pests & diseases;
I think the jury is out on this one.
Most people will blame loose ground I don't my soil is quite light and I get good tight sprouts.
I think there is a lot to be said for variety I have tried a few over the years some have been better than others in the 'blowing' stakes.
My other thought is feeding!!
I top dress with fish blood and bone at planting out time and thats it, no more for the rest of the season.
Plus I don't like to plant sprouts in ground that had legumes (beans/peas) in the previous season in case they have left too much nitrogen in the ground.
Grow them hard is my way no feeding or watering apart from planting out time, see here; http://tinyurl.com/yurwbc
If we get an exceptionally dry spell just after planting time I might give them a drop of water till they get established then thats it!!