skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

I think I screwed up (Brussels sprouts question)

ilovecucumbers Zone 6b, NE PA

8 years ago

Do Brussels sprouts need to be pollinated?

Because if they do, I now understand why I have no sprouts on my plants. They've been covered with row cover since they've been planted--to keeps the moths away.

Featured Answer

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

No. Brussels Sprouts are not fruit, they are leaves. They do not result from flowers so no pollination is required. In fact you do not want them to flower. If yours have flowered they are too old and of no further use as vegetables.

Assuming they are not flowering look in the leaf axils of your plants. There should be a small round bud developing in each axil. If they are not there possibly you planted out the sprouts too late for them to develop before the winter.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

digdirt2
8 years ago
No blooms means pollination is irrelevant. There is nothing there to pollinate.

In your previous post about them I thought it was explained that it is very likely too soon for sprouts to develop. This is a crop that has a long DTM and grows well into the winter season. Patience is required.

Dave
ilovecucumbers Zone 6b, NE PA thanked digdirt2
Related Discussions
Can I sow brussel sprouts in June?
Q
Comments (5)
Frank, you did great -- in Michigan/Wisconsin you can plant anytime between April and about now -- the earlier the better, though, IMO -- you'll get bigger plants with more sprouts. The only drawback to early planting is that they get really tall and then might fall over and rot some of the sprouts, so you might want to stake them up. They should stand in the garden through about Thanksgiving time -- I've gone out many a Thanksgiving and picked frozen sprouts which were fine when thawed out and cooked.
...See More
I want to grow Brussels sprouts
Q
Comments (16)
I love Brussels Sprouts. My way of cooking: Prepare the B Sprouts. Peel them back a couple leaves, chop the bottoms off and chop them in half. Chop up some Onions, amount is per your taste. Cut Bacon into medium size squares. Steam the Sprouts for about 7-9 minutes. While they're steaming, start frying some Bacon that you cut into pieces. Take the Bacon out before fully done, but not raw. Fry Onions in the Bacon fat. Remove the Onions and throw the B Sprouts in a frying pan with a bit extra added oil if you used up all the Bacon fat already on the Onion. Salt and Pepper to taste the B Sprouts. Fry the sprouts until golden brown. Mix everything together and serve!
...See More
I just made my first roasted Brussels sprouts
Q
Comments (25)
although i said i don't like them, i've never had them :) Oh, Moonie!! I never let my kids get away with that, so I'm here with a ruler to rap your knuckles. No, wait--I never rapped my kids' knuckles. But I never let them say they didn't like something if they'd never tasted it. So what I have to say to you, Missy, is...... Buy fresh BrusselsSproutsBrusselsSproutsBrusselsSproutsBrusselsSproutsBrusselsSprouts (see? I did it!), and be careful not to overcook them. (Try cutting them in half so they cook more evenly.)
...See More
Mystery Vegetable Plant? I thought it was growing Brussel Sprouts
Q
Comments (10)
Agree that it is Brussel sprouts not collards. But normally they are a fall/winter crop in your part of the country as they can't tolerate heat. Even here they are a fall crop. Far northern parts of the US only can plant in spring but for the rest of us they need cool weather and even light frosts to thrive and unfortunately plant sellers ignore that fact. Yours is either getting far, far too little sun exposure or it is already too warm for it or likely both and that is why it is so weak and spindly. And as spindly as it is the odds of it producing any sprouts are slim. The stem would normally be 5x as thick as that one in the pic so the circulatory system of the plant is already heavily compromised. Personally I'd pitch it and use the space for something more productive. Dave
...See More
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years ago
Can you post a picture of your plants? Perhaps we can assess what stage they're at for you. Possibly they're not even sprout plants - that's happened to people on here before now.
ilovecucumbers Zone 6b, NE PA thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
8 years ago
I know from personal experience that too much heat & humidity seems to impair the development of sprouts as well...
ilovecucumbers Zone 6b, NE PA thanked carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
ilovecucumbers Zone 6b, NE PA
Original Author
8 years ago
An update: I'm seeing them now. They're very, very tiny, but there. I finally remembered my Johnny's Seeds password, and could look up the variety I am growing. Diablo, which is 110 days to maturity, but then you add 20 days for direct seeding. So yeah, they're right on time. Sorry to have wasted your time, and thank you for your responses.
Happy Hill Farm
8 years ago
I have "diablo" as well in addition to "nelson". The heat has really stunted their growth but they are forming small sprouts now.

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Design Mystery: Why Do Pineapples Sprout Up in Home Design?

By Mary Jo Bowling

Early Americans were bananas about pineapples — and we’re still reaping the benefits of the sweet fruit’s symbolism today

DIY PROJECTS The Taming of the Screw

By Buckminster Green LLC

Learn the different types and uses of screws to pick the right kind for your next DIY or home improvement project

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Thrifted Chic With Art Deco Touches in Brussels

By Holly Marder

Online and flea market finds form a happy union with art deco pieces and DIY projects in this Belgian family's home

FUN HOUZZ Everything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey

Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5

ORGANIZING Pre-Storage Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Store

By Laura Gaskill

Wait, stop. Do you really need to keep that item you’re about to put into storage?

REMODELING GUIDES Considering a Fixer-Upper? 15 Questions to Ask First

By Sarah Phipps Design

Learn about the hidden costs and treasures of older homes to avoid budget surprises and accidentally tossing valuable features

BATHROOM WORKBOOK Standard Fixture Dimensions and Measurements for a Primary Bath

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Create a luxe bathroom that functions well with these key measurements and layout tips

REMODELING GUIDES Design Dilemma: How Do I Modernize My Cedar Walls?

8 Ways to Give Wood Walls a More Contemporary Look

FALL GARDENING 7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax

KNOW YOUR HOUSE Know Your House: What Makes Up a Floor Structure

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Avoid cracks, squeaks and defects in your home's flooring by understanding the components — diagrams included

Sponsored

More Discussions

Tiny leaf bite marks

15

Planting beans in the same place twice in back to back year?

5

Does sevin work on bare dirt?

14

Guess what caused this leaf damage?

8

Tiny long thin bugs at night eating leaves

8