Brussles Sprouts

[Jennifer Dozar]

This isn't really related to Aquaponics... but I have 10 Brussles Sprouts i've been growing for over a year! They have not produced any sprouts.. but they are like 4 foot tall and starting to seed. Which is cool, because I will gather those up in the next couple weeks as they get ready!  But i'm curious to why they never produced anything. Has anyone grown these before, just regular gardening? I'm new to these. I'm better with Peppers and tomatoes and squashes!  And, would it be advisable to pull them out and replant or just let them hang out in their spot and see what happens?  I don't know if they are annual type vegetables. I can't seem to find information on that on sites. Just the basic information regarding planting and such. 

So my questions are regarding the type of vegetable they are, to the point of do I pull them out and replant or let them be? And why they never produced any sprouts?  I'd appreciate any information you guys may know about them!  Thanks! 

[Glenn]

I would harvest the seeds/pods when they are dried and rattle well.

The best time here to plant Brussels sprouts is late summer or early fall. The plants actually mature in cold weather. They can put on sprouts even after a few frosts but quit quickly after the first freeze. We keep the lower leaves of ours pruned back to no more than the top five or at most six leaves. the sprouts form as little buds on the main stock that will turn to cabbage like leaves if left to their own accord. The leaves are good too in salads and fresh nibbles as you trim them.  The sprouts/buds can be harvested continuously as they mature up the plant OR you can trick them into a large all at once harvest by letting the leaves go for a few weeks before cold weather is expected and then top off all the upper most plant leaving all the sprouts remaining to ripen quickly.

I think Brussels sprouts are one of those really misunderstood veggies. Maybe it's from all those times we tried our best as kids to "learn to like em". I tried to grow them in AP a few years ago and failed due to root rot. I tried again in a wicking bed and struggled with moths that I don't want anywhere around. So for now, I think they belong in a well drained but moisture retaining soil in raised beds where harsh treatment of the common moths and aphids can be accomplished without effecting the AP system.

[Jonathan Kadish NYC AA Chair]

Not that I have any experience with BS in AP but I know that BS and other brassicas can need a lot of sulfur. Might be a sulfur deficiency? You could try a foliar treatment?

[Jennifer Dozar]

It's more a question of should I pull them out or let them see if they'll produce sprouts in a few months. I'm new to them, so i dont' know if they need to be replanted every year, like some plants, or they can last for a few years, cycling the sprouts. I'm mostly disappointed they never produced any sprouts for me. The seed pods should be ready to harvest in another week or so i think! So, at least i'll have more seeds. :) 

[Jennifer Dozar]

I'll make sure any fresh plantings get a more sulfur food down. I'm just not sure with these particular ones. 

Jonathan Kadish NYC AA Chair said:

Not that I have any experience with BS in AP but I know that BS and other brassicas can need a lot of sulfur. Might be a sulfur deficiency? You could try a foliar treatment?

[Alan Barnett]

I grew BS in my AP system this past winter... And I did not see any sprouts. There were some buds tking shape but they never got any bigger. I had thought that my growbed was too shallow. I was also dissapointed and pulled them out after 6mos. I needed the room to maximise my summer growing potential. Good luck with yours.

[Glenn]

brussels sprouts  are Biennial and WILL survive through mild to medium winter frost/light freezing.  If allowed to grow unchecked, they will most often flower and go to seed rather than produce desirable sized buds/sprouts. If you do harvest the seeds, you should only replant the very largest from each plant.  Again, it takes colder weather to trigger the maturing of the buds hiding below and in the crutches of the branches along the main stalk. Trimming to remove the branch growth 4 or 5 inches out helps insure better bud/sprout growth. but I try to shoot for 1.5 inch post frost sized sprouts.

Jennifer, I think your plants might continue growing and even flower this fall (nice for the bees) but I doubt they will produce the sprouts you want. So I would replant this year, in August and plan to prune through at least October and harvest AFTER colder weather sets in. 

I hope this helps.

Quick question, Are you growing them out doors or where they get the natural weather? I don't advise trying them indoors.
 
Jennifer Dozar said:

It's more a question of should I pull them out or let them see if they'll produce sprouts in a few months. I'm new to them, so i dont' know if they need to be replanted every year, like some plants, or they can last for a few years, cycling the sprouts. I'm mostly disappointed they never produced any sprouts for me. The seed pods should be ready to harvest in another week or so i think! So, at least i'll have more seeds. :)