Author Topic: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?  (Read 5062 times)

Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« 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:
....after the `tarte de pommes`, and  fortified by a couple of shots of limoncellos,  I flew up the Col de Bavella whilst thunderstorms rolled around the peaks above

ElyDave

  • Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society member 263583
Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #1 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.
“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” –Charles Dickens

T42

  • Apprentice geezer
Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #2 on: 01 February, 2016, 09:29:27 am »
14th July is the traditional date in France.
I've dusted off all those old bottles and set them up straight

ElyDave

  • Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society member 263583
Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #3 on: 09 February, 2016, 11:04:56 pm »
14th July is the traditional date in France.

There are both winter and summer varieties
“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” –Charles Dickens

Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #4 on: 10 February, 2016, 06:50:34 am »
When it's sprouted and turned purple obviously.

IGMC
I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that.

Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #5 on: 10 February, 2016, 08:30:44 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
....after the `tarte de pommes`, and  fortified by a couple of shots of limoncellos,  I flew up the Col de Bavella whilst thunderstorms rolled around the peaks above

T42

  • Apprentice geezer
Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #6 on: 10 February, 2016, 08:32:06 am »
Next time Cameron turns slightly mauve, chop away.
I've dusted off all those old bottles and set them up straight

Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #7 on: 10 February, 2016, 08:51:22 am »
here`s issue, heads are small but main head showing signs opening out:

IMG_1028 by jamesld8, on Flickr
....after the `tarte de pommes`, and  fortified by a couple of shots of limoncellos,  I flew up the Col de Bavella whilst thunderstorms rolled around the peaks above

Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #8 on: 10 February, 2016, 09:33:40 am »
Personally I'd cut them now.
Too many angry people - breathe & relax.

ElyDave

  • Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society member 263583
Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #9 on: 10 February, 2016, 10:04:49 am »
crop it now, you may get a second flush
“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” –Charles Dickens

Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #10 on: 10 February, 2016, 02:30:48 pm »
thanks, out with knife and here`s hoping for crop # 2  ;D
....after the `tarte de pommes`, and  fortified by a couple of shots of limoncellos,  I flew up the Col de Bavella whilst thunderstorms rolled around the peaks above

Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #11 on: 25 February, 2016, 07:43:55 pm »
crop it now, you may get a second flush

indeed this seems to be happening despite winter now arriving
....after the `tarte de pommes`, and  fortified by a couple of shots of limoncellos,  I flew up the Col de Bavella whilst thunderstorms rolled around the peaks above

ElyDave

  • Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society member 263583
Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #12 on: 05 March, 2016, 10:50:23 pm »
good stuff

reminds me I need to plant PSB sometime.
“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” –Charles Dickens

Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #13 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
....after the `tarte de pommes`, and  fortified by a couple of shots of limoncellos,  I flew up the Col de Bavella whilst thunderstorms rolled around the peaks above

ElyDave

  • Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society member 263583
Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #14 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
“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” –Charles Dickens

Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #15 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.
"A woman on a bicycle has all the world before her where to choose; she can go where she will, no man hindering." The Type-Writer Girl, 1897

Re: Purple Sprouting Broccoli --when to cut heads?
« Reply #16 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
....after the `tarte de pommes`, and  fortified by a couple of shots of limoncellos,  I flew up the Col de Bavella whilst thunderstorms rolled around the peaks above