Help, no sprouts!

[BertieFox]

I am growing a variety of sprouts for the first time this year called 'Revenge', a late F1 hybrid.

Unfortunately, they seem to be taking their 'revenge' on me, as despite being large and healthy plants, there is still almost NO sign of any sprouts on the stems, just things about the size of a mung bean!

I certainly sowed them early enough and got them planted out in late spring or early summer. I watered them well daily through the very dry month or so in June and July.

I have succeeded with sprouts almost every year until now, though often the sprouts have blown where the soil is not very firm.

The only real check the plants got was when they suffered a heavy attack from cabbage white caterpillars. They are planted about two feet or so apart, a bit close, but this normally is ok.

Is this too late now for any decent sprouts to form later in the year as winter comes on? Does anybody have any idea of what the problem might be or has anyone had similar problems with this particular variety? I doubt I will try it again given this experience.

[Martin H]

I too have been worrying about my sprouts. The last (only) time I successfully grew sprouts I was picking from August, but this year they are still only pea sized.

But I'm still hopeful. I just checked the packet ("F1 Trafalgar") and it says harvest December to April, so I guess they've got time to swell yet.

[lesleygl]

I have the same problem and consultated my neighbour (who seems to know about these things), he told me to cut the tops off the plants and that might help. I have done this today. I have also have had the problem of them being eaten by some little flying things.

[Snadger]

I think the answer is in your first sentence "a late F1 hybrid"?

Late usually means December at the earliest and usually into March the following year

I have early and late sprouts, Bosworth & Trafalgar neither of which are forming yet.

[binley100]

I only just have sprouts forming, my neighbour has been eating his for weeks .....different varieties ..different times . I'm not worriting anyway I may have more sprouts than I bargained for cos the red cabbage plants that were growing upwards and not hearting up have decided they're going to be sprouts

[BertieFox]

Thanks for the reassuring answers. I guess in the past I've always grown a mixture of varieties so have got used to seeing fully formed sprouts by October or November (which have stood well right into the new year). It will be interesting to see if these tiny sprouts actually come to something later, and it will be a bonus if I can go on harvesting them right into spring.

[Bigmallly]

Bertie, they'll be ready to pick Dec - Jan:

Buy brussels sprout brussels sprout 'Revenge F1'

[BertieFox]

Thanks for that link, Bigmally. I had another close look at the plants this morning when I was harvesting other things and the sprouts are beginning to form much better now, perhaps because the weather is a tad colder. As long as the big storm doesn't rip them out of the ground, it may be that they will start swelling in size as November and December come around. I'll try to remember to post here when I finally harvest them to let people know how they turned out.