Sprouts, especially red ones

[nick the grief]

Colourful at least

[eddiemorse]

Has anyone had any success with the free red sprout seeds given away with Grow Your Own earlier this year?

Mine are looking pathetic - they started off really well, then they got caterpillars that I couldn't keep up with. The weather really didn't help, cold wet spring, hot dry summer, then autumn was wet and warm.

Went to the lottie today (have been away for too long, new grandson with a few medical problems, but he's doing OK now). Sprouts now have whitefly by the million, and some really cheeky snails tucked in amongst the leaves. Plants looking better but the sprouts are no bigger than my little fingernail.

I FOUND THE PLANTS TO BE RATHER PATHETIC LOOKING, BUT THEY PRODUCED LOTS AND LOTS OF SPROUTS. MOST WERE ONLY THE SIZE OF MARBLES BUT HAD A NICE STRONG FLAVOUR.

[suee]

Oh blimey! Did it all taste okay though Sue?

Yes Lesley - it was good and the sprouts leftovers went into a bubble and squeak the day after (didn't serve the blue potatoes though!).
Sue

[Mrs Dobby]

Well I cooked the red sprouts that I'd been guarding for Christmas Day. Steamed them in the top of the pan with potatoes at the bottom. Result: bright blue potatoes! Never again.
Happy New Year all.
Sue x

Lol! I did that with red cabbage in the steamer and tatties underneath, gave us lovely pink mash, which tasted fine!

Yes Lesley - it was good and the sprouts leftovers went into a bubble and squeak the day after (didn't serve the blue potatoes though!).
Sue

Mr D would have loved blue tatties, he often adds food coloring to his breads, watching folks faces when you present a lovely loaf thats mottled blue is a picture!

[Two_Sheds]

I have just given up on those free Red Sprouts from GYO - I've 'chelsea cropped' them so I might get a few cabbagey leaves later on. The sprouts were fairly awful - blown, despite firming in. When I cut the tops off the plants yesterday, I got a dozen thumbnail size sprouts which I ate raw, nice and nutty. Won't grow this variety again though (Falstaff)

[Hazel at the Hill]

Oh. That doesn't sound promising - I have a pack of Falstaff that I was planning on sowing for this year.

Is there anything to recommend this variety at all, or should I not bother and try a more traditional variety?

[Two_Sheds]

If you've got the space, grow a couple of red ones for decorative value (they are handsome); but put some green ones in for your dinner!

[purplevegman1]

i was really pleased with mine .they are not particularly big (the biggest about the size of a 10p coin)but very tasty. to remove whitefly i read a tip to use a hand-held vacuum cleaner.but i have not tried it yet.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Worth a go with a couple then - thanks for the tips!

[nick the grief]

I grow Bridgette & Wellington Sprouts Hazel they are good tasting and have some packets of red sprout seed to but never planted them

[Hazel at the Hill]

I grow Bridgette & Wellington Sprouts Hazel they are good tasting

They'll be your more traditional green jobbies, I assume Nick?

Just thinking ahead about the number of plants that you want to end up with (looking at the other allotmenteers up at the Hill) I reckon that - say - 10 plants would be enough, unless I want to turn myself inside out with wind - so perhaps I should wait and buy seedlings (unless any of you grapes can spare a pinch of seeds) along with sowing a just a few seeds of the Falstaff red ones.

[nick the grief]

I'm sure there will be spares Hazel, I always sow too many -you don't want some cauli seedlings do you - I've pricked 40 out already

[Hazel at the Hill]

That's jolly D of you, Nick - but I've sown out a load of caulis myself (this was the only outdoor-y type veg that seemed possible to sow in Jan so I've got loads - impatient, moi?)

I recall a newby in Cov posting in the last week (apols, can't remember the grape's name) who would benefit more than I and is close enough to collect. That'll send your PM buzzing!

Could do with a pinch of seed, though for the BS, if you've not sown them all!?

[*Feather*]

Purple Sprouts

I also grew the free GYO purple sprouts and I must say that both the plants and the sprouts were on the small side. OH is not a big fan, so I only grew 4 plants. Out of 2 plants I got enough sprouts for 5 for the xmas dinner. For flavour, I prefer the purple ones. I found the that the flavour is superior to the green ones, sweeter and nuttier
I've attached a picture of my sprouts that was taken at the end of November, when they were marble size.
It was the first time I grew sprouts, so maybe it was just beginner's luck!

[Hazel at the Hill]

They look fantastic, Feather! Will defo have a 'trial' grow with the red ones!