Brussel Sprouts FAIL

[journey11]

I grew Falstaff red brussel sprouts from seed this year, planting them when the garden calendar told me to, which was in July. I am wondering now if it meant that was the time to set transplants...it didn't say. The plants look nice and are about 18" tall, however the sprouts are only the size of the tip of my pinkie. I scratched in some fertilizer thinking that might help them along, but I know they should have matured about a month ago. They are very winter hardy, but I am wondering if they will ever make sprouts or do you think they will just hang around until Spring and go to seed? This is my first time growing them. Also, where would the seed stalks appear...from the top of the plant or from the sprouts on the side? If nothing else, I will save their seed.

 

[curly_kate]

It's my first year growing them, and one variety has been very successful. I planted transplants instead of seeds, tho. I would guess that they would flower the same way as a cabbage, although I'm not sure where that would be either. Sorry, I turned out to be no help!!

 

[ducks4you]

Don't Pull them UP!! I have 2 plants that survived last winter and I harvested from them this year. Many folks harvest their sprouts in the snow. They are very hardy. I think you could winter them and see what you get in the spring.

 

[Southern Gardener]

I wouldn't pull them either journey. I planted some last year and it took FOREVER for them to mature. I have several plants in the garden now, so maybe I'll have sprouts by May!

 

[Smiles Jr.]

Since sprouts are very cold tolerant AND since we had such a mild winter last year, I harvested from 10 Brussel's sprout plants all winter. I think I pulled the last one out in late March. We don't put up any Brassicas for long term storage so we actually got tired of eating them.

Hang in there and you might be surprised.

 

[journey11]

Well, maybe there's hope for them yet!

 

[baymule]

I planted brussel sprout plants a friend got for me at the feed store in her town. She is always talking about how good they are, I remember how icky they were when I was a kid and my momma made me eat them. My plants are about 2 feet tall and in the leaf crotch are tiny promises of sprouts to come. I will try them and if I still don't like them, well, I'll give them to my friend......her nephew's horse ate her brussel plants and even pulled them up by the roots. I am really surprised there wasn't horse steak on the menu....