Text only | Text with Images

Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Mushy Pea on July 12, 2008, 17:50:02

Title: PSB in July?
Post by: Mushy Pea on July 12, 2008, 17:50:02
Hi Folks,

One of our PSB has come into flower. Is this normal? We thought they wouldn't be ready until early next year.

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/pigbun/DSC00168.jpg)

We've eaten it anyway.  ;D  Very nice too.
Title: Re: PSB in July?
Post by: tim on July 12, 2008, 17:51:46
Normal - if it's the Summer variety!

But it's a strange looking head.
Title: Re: PSB in July?
Post by: Mushy Pea on July 12, 2008, 17:56:34
Hi Tim,

What does a "normal" head look like? This is the only one we've seen. Was it OK to eat?  ???

Quote from: tim on July 12, 2008, 17:51:46
Normal - if it's the Summer variety!

We'll have to check the packet. I'm sure it was for picking in Jan/Feb.
Title: Re: PSB in July?
Post by: OllieC on July 12, 2008, 18:04:45
Did you keep a record of the name, the sowing date & the planting date?

Yes, it was fine to eat!
Title: Re: PSB in July?
Post by: allaboutliverpool on July 12, 2008, 21:15:05
Once again we are back to the old problem of a plant thinking it is time to go to seed.

Possibly it has been planted a little early, or perhaps it has been too dry.
In any case, I would just go ahead and eat it?

Title: Re: PSB in July?
Post by: Suzanne on July 12, 2008, 21:18:53
Did you buy Bordeuax extra early purple sprouting broccoli?
Title: Re: PSB in July?
Post by: tim on July 14, 2008, 06:00:21
MP - I was a bit out of date with that remark - so many new varieties are now available.

We have always been used to a plant that produces tender stems - the best part! - with a small head.

Yours looked as though it had gone to seed but I see that there is a variety that behaves like that - http://www.rhs.org.uk/Learning/publications/pubs/garden1003/broccoli.asp
Title: Re: PSB in July?
Post by: Mushy Pea on July 14, 2008, 12:49:57
Hi Folks,

Sorry for such a late reply. The seeds were part of a mixed bag from B&Q. The only info given was " Purple Sprouting Broccoli. Planting Feb/March for harvesting March/April."  ???

This we assumed was the following year. I think Tim and Allaboutliverpool are both right and this has just gone to seed. Will it give more flowers next year or is it for the compost heap now? :(
Title: Re: PSB in July?
Post by: shaolin101 on July 14, 2008, 16:33:14
One out of about 8 that i have did the same. I cut them off in the hope it might postpone itself but more grew - the others all all doing ok though - getting bigger than i thought but no purple so hopefully next year they will give me something!
Title: Re: PSB in July?
Post by: tim on July 14, 2008, 17:44:23
I would say that there is every chance that it'll come back in the spring - or earlier..

I had a row of Calabrese that was stunted, some dying, & gave a few 3" heads in April. I let them be & the survivors are giving some 5x3" heads each.
Text only | Text with Images