General information and discussion about cultivating all other edible garden plants.
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April 4, 2013 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 7,068
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broccoli way too early heading
This seems to occur sometimes in the fall or in the spring and it is really aggravating. I planted out young fast growing broccoli and cabbage seedlings for spring and the broccoli started heading when it was only about 9 inches tall. I have had this happen in the fall when the heat doesn't let up like it should and I have had it happen in the spring when using plants that were too old or when summer heat arrived early. We have had what would seem a perfect spring for broccoli and yet this year it just headed up for no apparent reason. I talked to another couple of gardeners around here and they had the same thing happen and they were at a loss to explain it. I had a fantastic fall and winter broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower crop. I'm having an even better year than ever with Brussels sprouts and the spring cabbage is doing great. We have had cool spring weather much later than is usual and that usually delays heading. After cutting the main head and a few puny side shoots I just pulled it way early and put in some tomatoes.
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April 4, 2013 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Posts: 993
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Have you seen hard freezes on those transplants? I just set ouy 50 brocolli last weekend and I have now had three nights in a row below 24 degrees. I think we're past that now but they are sure showing some stress. They have me worried as I don't have any extras...
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April 5, 2013 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 7,068
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Mine weren't damaged by a hard freeze but it did get down below freezing for several nights in a row; but that was after they had started prematurely heading.
Sounds like it got pretty cold where you are so you may have some damage but if the plants haven't started heading and they survive they should be fine. If you get a hard freeze once heads are forming you can get ice crystals formed in parts of the head and then a couple of weeks later you get rot in the head. I've had that happen a few times in the past with broccoli and cauliflower so if it is going to get below 28 for more than a few hours I try to cover them. |
April 5, 2013 | #4 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Posts: 993
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Quote:
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George _____________________________ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure." Thomas Jefferson, 1787 |
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April 6, 2013 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut
Posts: 2,570
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what variety of broccoli? i've grown 4 or 5 varieties and only packman was a problem and i'll never ever grow it ever never again but that's me.
a cold snap can induce premature heading. i put my broccoli out 15 days before the last frost date. in your area i wouldn't try to guess but you do the math. for me i start broccoli tomorrow and put them out on 5/15, last frost date for me is memorial day weekend. tom
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April 7, 2013 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 7,068
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I had four different types and they all headed way too early. I see this fairly often down here when we have far too much heat for too long when the plants are small; but the weather has been what seems perfect for broccoli this spring. All my other cool weather crops have been outstanding from lettuce and cabbage to Brussels sprouts. We have had a lot of temperature variations that had a wide range in a short time so I will just assume that has caused this early heading because nothing else makes sense.
Bill |
April 5, 2013 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 1,413
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I don't know Red, but that always happens to me when I plant brocolli in the spring here. If I put it in in October/november it does fine.
I'm thinking that its the alternating warm then cold of north Florida early spring? But not really sure. |
April 23, 2013 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Southern Virginia
Posts: 342
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Mine did the same thing. It was Pac Man. Never had this problem before. The Premium Crop looks fine right now. I agree that fall broc. does much better
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April 23, 2013 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,488
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The trick with pack man is to start your own and plant in the ground very early, first set of real leaves, when the weather is still cold. Then throw a clear blanket or plastic over it if you get a really hard freeze. It can take a few light frosts once it is fully hardened. This will cause it to head both early, but also at a size to make nice heads.
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Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture |
April 23, 2013 | #10 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Posts: 993
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Quote:
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George _____________________________ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure." Thomas Jefferson, 1787 |
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April 24, 2013 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut
Posts: 2,570
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i hate packman and will never ever grow it again. worst performing broccoli i ever grew.
tom
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May 1, 2013 | #12 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2012
Location: NH
Posts: 14
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Quote:
I have had more problems with heat growing brocolli or cauliflower and always do better growing it here for a fall crop. I have had some good results with a brocolli seed called "Green Magic" which is very heat tolerant and heads form well right into mid summer.
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May 1, 2013 | #13 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut
Posts: 2,570
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Quote:
if you have just a few plants then this is easy to do. i highly recommend calabrese green sprouting. it's easy to find and op. it is noted for large side shoots often 2" even 3" in diameter. tom
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I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life |
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April 24, 2013 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Richmond, TX
Posts: 327
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I think it has to be a winter crop. I planted mine, Pacman, in Oct, and had a great batch around Super Bowl time.
Just one of those nature deals I think. |
April 24, 2013 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Posts: 993
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I usually have a great early spring crop with pacman. This is the first failure. I stopped back by Lowes today. They still had some pacman... heading in the cell packs Obviously a supply problem. I suggested to the attendant that it was time they three the brocolli plants out. She didn't seem to understand but said she would relay the message to a manager.
Fortunately I only had ten of these. I have forty more of my own and they look fine for now. If the weather will hold seasonable in May I shoud do finewith them. Always an adventure
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George _____________________________ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure." Thomas Jefferson, 1787 |
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