Brocolli Romanesca

[Topaz]

Has anybody had any joy with these. I have planted some today and wait with baited breath. Have only ever seen this on sale once about 6 years ago and nothing since. They taste absolutely devine and look so unusual abit like a cauli but all spirally

[zazen999]

I grow these all the time. I am a bit of a geek at heart and I love the fractals.

Little photo taken this feb of one of mine.

[MrsBond]

Oooooo, I LOVE that photo.

I am attempting to grow them this year aswell.

That photo has really spurred me on.

You say it was taken in Feb, is that when it was harvested? Did the plant stay in the ground over winter?

My babies only have 2 first leaves and are around 1" tall at the mo, just ticking over in the greenhouse.

MrsB x

Edit: I meant 1cm tall not 1", I am always overestimating sizes.....much to MrB's delight!!!

[Flummery]

I have a packet which says to sow in May - so I'm a good girl and I'm waiting. I do think they are quite the prettiest brassica - like a frilly frock!

[Cutecumber]

I've never managed to get mine to head up properly - I think I've tried to grow them too closely.

They should be an early autumn harvest from a May sowing, roughly. They're a bit slower than summer cauli's and calabrese.

[Flummery]

That's good then. Everything comes at once in the height of summer. I like to spread things out a bit.

[Two_Sheds]

I managed to get ONE this year (in March), and it was only tennis ball size. I didn't give them enough space or food.

[Millit]

well i have tried broccoli this time coz iv'e tried colli and failed,is broccoli better grown than colli

[zazen999]

Sorry, missed the reply somehow.

Ours were sown in august time; and planted out when we got back from the states [mid Oct]. Stayed in the ground all winter; began to head up around mid jan.

I grow half broccoli and half romanesco and [now that we have a lottie] will be trying to do so all year round. That's the plan.

[Topaz]

wow zazen yours are good love that pic, has inspired me i have planted 48 of them haha

[jennybb]

I am having a go with romanesco (alien brocolli, my daughter calls it ) - I love it and you rarely see it in the shops - I did get some in my veg box last year. Any tips welcome as I'm a complete novice and everywhere I read that they are difficult to grow properly.

I have just thined out my 2 leaf seedlings,they are in an unheated greenhouse.

What do you feed them with?

Do you do successional sowings? I'd like to get as much as possible, but I'm guessing it takes lots of space.

Cheers

Jenny

[Topaz]

I have planted 48 and planning another 48 in a couple of weeks so hoping succession growing ill work for me

[zazen999]

Good grief Topaz! hope you're hungry!!!

I usually sow about 20 at a time, and plant out about 5 at a time and hold the others back so that I get successions over a longer cropping period. Like most of these types, they all get there at the same time under the same conditions and I find if you hold some back it extends the season without having to resow. I will take 5 out of the pot they were sown in and pot on, and leave the others there. the ones left will grow but alot slower; and the ones taken out will romp ahead.

I only really feed them with home grown compost; which sometimes has slow release fertiliser in it; sometimes not. Manure and lime get put on the bed before planting out.

would sty and chat but catching a plane in a bit and have to go.

Enjoy your fractals.

[peanut]

I've just ordered a pack of seeds of this having read this link, it sounds fab!......it's called ROMANESCO OTTOBRINO on my pack......same thing, though I have to admit I was worried it was different until I did a bit of googling!

Can't wait for it to arrive!!

[Tam]

I plant tons. I planted it by mistake the first year as the packet the seeds came in appeared to believe it held winter purple sprouting broccoli. which, at that time, was my favourite vegetable. I planted out about four dozen and they matured from the beginning of November. I fleeced them when there was the chance of frost. They are superb and deserve to be eaten on their own.