Look at this beautiful broccoli! Huge plants with hardly a bug hole. Only one problem, no heads! None. Zero. Just lovely green leaves!
I started these plants from seed, planted them early, protected them with row cover, and this is the result. I don't know what I did wrong. I have successfully grown broccoli in the past. Check here for proof!
Do you have any ideas what my problem is? Our garden has been producing so abundantly in other areas that I have not missed broccoli much. That is until I look at these beautiful plants and imagine all the great meals they should be giving us!
The only thing that I can figure is that I have a bad variety. Usually I grow Packman or Premium Crop. This year I got some seed for Romnmesco Italia broccoli - a European variety that supposedly has a superior flavor. I obviously wasn't able to test their claim! I wish I would have at least planted a few of my normal varieties so that I could know whether it was the variety or the something else I did this year.
In a few weeks, I plan to plant broccoli for fall. This time I'm planting two or three different kinds! I've learned one lesson!
And these plants? I may just continue to let them grow here and see what happens. Who knows? Maybe they will decide to grow heads at about Christmas!
Edited to add: I took the advice of the Naptime Seamstress and emailed the company where I bought the seeds. They kindly replied and said that others seemed to be having problems with that variety as well. They offered to refund my money or give me another variety. It doesn't help give me broccoli this spring, but at least I know that maybe it isn't my fault!
I'm not sure, but I don't think that's broccoli. It's definitely in the brassica family - but maybe is a Kale?
ReplyDeleteIf you are sure it's broccoli - heat can stop heads forming (but, not this year in the cool midwest). Maybe try a shot of fertilizer? Or watering more - as it's also quite dry this summer.
Overall - I really don't know. Hopefully someone much more knowledgeable can help you out?
My broccoli heads were so small this year, but I getting tons of off shoots.
They look like really good greens, kind of like collards. I'm not familiar with growing broccoli, so broccoli leaves may just look like collards. But those leaves look like something we in the south would cook and call a yummy supper!
ReplyDeleteI do not know where you live but I found this little article. I know this is very frustrating! Hope this helps! :)
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Since broccoli is a cool weather crop which prefers cooler temperatures, and if you live in a hot climate, and the temperatures are too warm, they will not create heads.
If this is the case, you could try covering them with shade cloth, which is available in rolls at wal-mart, nurseries, etc. This will keep them cooler. Just lay it over them and you can water right through it.
It takes about 120 days for some varieties, next year I would try to find a shorter season seed, start them early inside in seed trays, and plant the out after the last frost.
Or if you are in a cool area, the soil may have too much nitrogen. Lack of potassium and phosphorus may keep them from producing heads. You need to test your soil. There is more information on soil building at our website: http://www.avant-gardening.com
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Blessings to you,
Ruth, PA
Thanks so much for your help! We live in the northeast and have had a wet cool spring - perfect broccoli weather, at least I thought! They are growing in some of the richest soil in our garden. I know broccoli are heavy feeders and we haven't done a soil test for several years, but at that time this soil was quite good on every way.
ReplyDeleteI'm still thinking that my seed is just some sort of dud! But keep sending in your ideas!
Thanks! Gina
call the company!!!
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