Yet Another Cycling Forum

Random Musings => Miscellany => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: jamesld8 on 03 January, 2016, 09:05:43 am

Title: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: jamesld8 on 03 January, 2016, 09:05:43 am

For first time in 20 years at least I`ve planted out some PSP, 15 plants maybe. Their size varies enormously from 2 ft down to about 8", probably some got crowded out due to small area available (just 3 x  6ft rows on a small plot)

A couple of the mid sized plants have now got central shoots with florets and these shoots have grown quite a lot in last week, 6" growth spurt BUT there are very few sideshoots so if I was to cut central set florets it`s hardly a meal. The remaining plants show little signs of any sideshoots / florets

I`m concerned though that with these really mild and wet weeks of Dec that the plants might be bolting, IIRC the plants should be producing florets Feb / March after hard frosts !

What does YACF gardening panel suggest ?

ta  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: ElyDave on 01 February, 2016, 09:25:57 am

I'd probably cut as they're ready, to stop bolting as you say.  Once they flower both the flavour and texture seem to change.

Just had to do the same with my cima-di-rapa, another member of the family. The last crop had gone a very strong flavour, not very palatable.

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: T42 on 01 February, 2016, 09:29:27 am

14th July is the traditional date in France.

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: ElyDave on 09 February, 2016, 11:04:56 pm

Quote from: T42 on 01 February, 2016, 09:29:27 am

14th July is the traditional date in France.

There are both winter and summer varieties

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: pcolbeck on 10 February, 2016, 06:50:34 am

When it's sprouted and turned purple obviously.

IGMC

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: jamesld8 on 10 February, 2016, 08:30:44 am

Quote from: pcolbeck on 10 February, 2016, 06:50:34 am

When it's sprouted and turned purple obviously.

IGMC

yes indeed, but several already have small purple sproutings I don`t want cut too early as yield would be small but how much bigger can sproutings get, at moment heads are just 2-3 " so not much of a meal

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: T42 on 10 February, 2016, 08:32:06 am

Next time Cameron turns slightly mauve, chop away.

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: jamesld8 on 10 February, 2016, 08:51:22 am

here`s issue, heads are small but main head showing signs opening out:

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1596/24933222605_7052e38a65_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/DZghqn)IMG_1028 (https://flic.kr/p/DZghqn) by jamesld8 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/55935603@N05/), on Flickr

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 10 February, 2016, 09:33:40 am

Personally I'd cut them now.

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: ElyDave on 10 February, 2016, 10:04:49 am

crop it now, you may get a second flush

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: jamesld8 on 10 February, 2016, 02:30:48 pm

thanks, out with knife and here`s hoping for crop # 2  ;D

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: jamesld8 on 25 February, 2016, 07:43:55 pm

Quote from: ElyDave on 10 February, 2016, 10:04:49 am

crop it now, you may get a second flush

indeed this seems to be happening despite winter now arriving

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: ElyDave on 05 March, 2016, 10:50:23 pm

good stuff

reminds me I need to plant PSB sometime.

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: jamesld8 on 09 March, 2016, 12:53:06 pm

PSB is starting to look good and I reckon by end March will be able to take a few cuts of lovely home grown delicious PSB which puts shop stuff to shame

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: ElyDave on 09 March, 2016, 01:21:27 pm

I think the seeds I sowed won't need watering in, but they might need sou' westers

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: Bledlow on 06 April, 2016, 12:23:54 am

Planted some last year. Suffered from leaves being stripped by pigeons recently. Now netted, but I'm not sure if it'll recover enough for a crop.

Title: Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
Post by: jamesld8 on 07 April, 2016, 07:29:25 pm

PSB sprouting well and have had 2 x dinner for two servings from it--and boy oh boy is it so much better than veg shop bough stuff  :thumbsup: Need to plant twice as much this year  ;D