remove leaves from brussels or not

[daffydill]

its my first year growing brussels and ive had some conflicting advice one of my mates says take off the leaves as the sprouts develop and another buddy says dont, so im wondering what you folk do and what sort off results you normally get
thanks in advance for any replies

[rustylady]

Only remove the ones as the bottom when they go yellow.

[Two_Sheds]

Like Rusty says. If you take all the leaves off, the plant can't photosynthesise

[vicky]

Commercial growers remove the leaves as they believe it accelerates harvesting (thanks google!) but it's not necessary for you to do. Remove any dead, damaged or yellowing leaves.

A tip I just got was to pinch out the growing tip a month before harvesting sprouts as you get a better yeild - I may try this on some of mine (if I can remember...)

[Two_Sheds]

Commercial growers remove the leaves as they believe it accelerates harvesting

They also drench them in artificial fertilisers. Not really necessary for the home grower, as you say

[vicky]

Not really sure what 'accelerates harvesting' means? Quicker to pick them with a machine?

[gorgeousgrower]

I've heard about pinching the tip out - referred to as 'stopping' them.

This apparently is used to produce a stick with sprouts on which are all roughly the same size (guess the plant's energy is put into plumping up the sprouts rather than growing taller).

Us gardeners just take off the sprouts as we need them in size order, instead of pulling up a whole plant at a time.

[daffydill]

thanks folks now im sorted

[scarey55]

If you do the pinching out thing, don't forget that brussel tops are delicious as a cabbage type veg.