How to get bigger heads on my brassicas?

[Clara]

I've just noticed that my broccoli and cauli is starting to form heads - in the past I've had fairly pathetic heads compared to all the leaves they put out.

Is there anything I can do at this stage to encourage the heads to grow bigger? Aside from constant flattery

I've got some comfrey concentrate that is just about ready, would it help to give them a dose?

[bonniethomas06]

Isn't it potassium that makes flowers/fruit bigger and better? As opposed to nitrogen for leaves and phosphorous for roots?

And I think that the heads are technically flowers... so adding potash now may be a good idea?

Sorry to be vague, am struggling to think of what organic form this may take

Will have the same problem with mine shortly...will have to do some research!

[Annpan]

I've been thinking... and I really shouldn't do too much thinking... but... plants usually produce more flowers when they are under stress right? brassica (I'm thinking broccoli's rather than cabbages) heads are flowers, right? so I would have thought not putting any nutrients in the soil.

Also, some brassicas grow really well in colder, wetter climates than yours Clara are you growing appropriate varieties? maybe they need more water?

[Clara]

They are getting very heavily watered - it´s not something I have to worry about here, this year my land appears to have turned into one giant spring/bog!

I think stress will just make the flowers bolt to seed no? Rather than slow steady growth.

[contadina]

I'm surprised you can grow them at this time of year Clara. For us brassicas are strictly a winter veg. I've still got a few late sown ones to eat, but it's time to plant out the tomatoes, aubergines, peppers and courgettes.

[Clara]

we're at 1000m in a very lush valley, loads of water, green all year.....in fact I think I may have the only slugs in andalucia!!

[The Riff-Raff Element]

Lots of nitrogen should help - got any chicken poop? Comfrey is a high potasium fertiliser - in addition to nitrogen and other goodies - and encourages flowering / fruiting (hence its use with tomatoes), so could be counter productive.

Surprisingly greedy, brassicas.

[contadina]

we're at 1000m in a very lush valley, loads of water, green all year.....in fact I think I may have the only slugs in andalucia!!

Ah gotcha; slugs are the one problem we don't have .
Reiterating what everyone's said already; ours have got bigger each year the more manure we've added to the soil.

[Clara]

Lots of nitrogen should help - got any chicken poop? Comfrey is a high potasium fertiliser - in addition to nitrogen and other goodies - and encourages flowering / fruiting (hence its use with tomatoes), so could be counter productive.

Surprisingly greedy, brassicas.

Oh balls I already fed them - I was under the impression Comfrey was fairly balanced. Chicken poo is the one thing I don't have, what's rabbit poo rich in, got loads of that.

[The Riff-Raff Element]

Lots of nitrogen should help - got any chicken poop? Comfrey is a high potasium fertiliser - in addition to nitrogen and other goodies - and encourages flowering / fruiting (hence its use with tomatoes), so could be counter productive.

Surprisingly greedy, brassicas.

Oh balls I already fed them - I was under the impression Comfrey was fairly balanced. Chicken poo is the one thing I don't have, what's rabbit poo rich in, got loads of that.

Well, you're laughing: rabbit poop is even higher in nitrogen than chicken (and in phosphorus, which I don't think should give problems; though it is important for flowering it plays second fiddle to potassium) and can be applied fresh with no need to rot down as it doesn't "burn" foliage.

[Clara]

Hooray for rabbit poo! Cheers!

[Peggy Sue]

At last a use for rabbits

Not sure if this is just brussels but the ground is supposed to be firm so they can be greedy easily! I was told they have very fine hairs on their roots which can break if they rock in the wind, hence firm ground prevents this and they can feed more heavily. We walk all round our purple sprouting and it has lasted alot longer than other peoples on the allotment.

[Clara]

At last a use for rabbits

Trust me there is a better use for the 6 cute fluff balls that are hoping around the pen at the moment......stew, slippers...

Not sure if this is just brussels but the ground is supposed to be firm so they can be greedy easily! I was told they have very fine hairs on their roots which can break if they rock in the wind, hence firm ground prevents this and they can feed more heavily. We walk all round our purple sprouting and it has lasted alot longer than other peoples on the allotment.

That's interesting, I'll bear it in mind in future, though our soil tend to compaction so probably not a problem - i dream of loose soil!

[Clara]

woo hoo! finally worked out how to split a quote....what a bumpkin

[Millymollymandy]

Well done Clara!