Yellow brassicas - help please

[jmcmillan]

I am finding that a fair number of lower leaves on my brussel sprouts and purple spouting broccoli are turning yellow before going mouldy and dropping off. The brussels still seem too be producing though although a couple of the tops have gone mouldy. The yellow seems to be working its way up the plants' leaves.

With regards the purple broccoli thses have been affected to a lesser extent and some have no yellowing at all.

I'm not sure what to make of it. Any thoughts would be most welcome.

[shirlthegirl43]

I think it is just something that happens as the plants get older.

[rustylady]

This happens as a matter of course at this time of the year. When the leaves have gone yellow snap them off and add to the compost heap, or gather the fallen leaves and do the same. Shouldn't affect cropping - the only problem is if the leaves stay on the stems and go mouldy, when it could affect the main stem of the plant.

[Two_Sheds]

This is perfectly normal. Snap them off and compost them.

[moggssue]

My summer calabrese had lots of yellow leaves as the growing season progressed but it didnt affect the harvest at all, so I would just take them off as they die off to stop any problems with rotting and then enjoy your harvest!

[HeyWayne]

I thought the same thing, I'd read in one of my books that the yellowing can be caused by magnesium deficiency, I gave the soil a good dose of chicken manure fertiliser just to be sure. Then conversations with one of my neighbours reveled that it was natural.

I've just done as suggested - removed the leaves and chucked them on the compost heap.

All seems to be well so far...

[shirlthegirl43]

I think magnesium deficiency is a cause of yellowing tomato leaves Hey Wayne (if my memory is serving correctly).