Brussels sprouts problems / RHS Gardening (2024)

FAQs

Brussels sprouts problems / RHS Gardening? ›

Being brassicas, Brussels can suffer from several pests and diseases that affect the cabbage family, including clubroot and cabbage root fly. They are also best grown under fine-mesh netting to protect them from cabbage caterpillars and pigeons. Cabbage whitefly and aphids can also be problematic.

The usual cause is poor soil, lack of growth and especially the use of non-hybrid cultivars. Only hybrid cultivars can be relied on to produce firm sprouts. Excessive nitrogen fertiliser is not implicated in loose sprout formation.

Yellowing leaves on Brussels sprouts often scream nutrient deficiency. Nitrogen, magnesium, and iron are the usual suspects when your sprouts look more lemon than leafy. Stunted growth and leaf curling can also point to a lack of these essential nutrients.

By cutting through the core, you'll hold the halved or quartered sprouts together.

Onions and Garlic:

These pungent alliums are great companions for Brussels sprouts. Garlic and onions have strong scents are effective in deterring common pests like aphids and some beetles. Plus, they occupy a different space in the garden bed, ensuring efficient use of space.

I never thought a plant that made a vegetable so disliked could look so beautiful. So do brussel sprouts like coffee grounds? You Bet they do!

Some growers remove all leaves to accelerate harvest, but that practice is not essential in the home garden, and not practical for us on the farm. Some believe that the sprouts develop better if the lowermost six to eight leaves are removed from the sides of the stalk as the sprouts develop.

Prevent wet foliage by using drip irrigation to maintain evenly moist soil, never overwatered. Avoid allowing soil to dry out completely, resulting in stronger, unpalatable flavor and odors.

The top leaves and the stem are both edible and easy to prep. Brussels sprout leaves are very nutritious. Trim them from the top of the stalk, rinse, and dry. Toss the leaves into a healthy salad, or sauté them as a tasty side dish with bacon, onions and garlic.

Why do you cut a cross in the bottom of a brussel sprout? ›

In fact, the tradition of cutting a cross in the base of a sprout might have less to do with culinary technique and more to do with superstition. In Medieval times, it was believed that evil spirits and demons lived between the leaves of the vegetable, and they would enter anyone who ate them, making them ill.

Cause: If a batch of otherwise healthy seedlings fall over and wither seemingly overnight, they are likely victims of damping-off, a fungal disease that attacks stems at the soil surface and is usually deadly. Excess moisture or nutrients create conditions that promote damping-off.

Unfortunately, a sunny window generally doesn't provide enough light on its own. As soon as your seeds sprout, turn the grow lights on. If you're worried about missing this crucial moment, turn on your grow lights a few days after sowing seeds (but before they've sprouted).

Brussels Sprouts Can Inhibit Growth

These two veggies compete for nutrients and therefore cannot be planted together. Members of the brassica family produce chemicals that inhibit proper growth in tomato plants (along with other nightshades like peppers and eggplants).

A wide variety of cabbage species such as cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi, kale, white cabbage, savoy cabbage, Brussels sprouts and pak choi are therefore very suitable as neighbors for cucumbers. Cabbage plants usually develop medium-deep or deep roots.

Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts have a longer growing season than zucchini and require cooler temperatures to thrive, while zucchini prefer warmer temperatures. Additionally, Brussels sprouts can be susceptible to some pests, such as aphids, cabbage moths and cabbage worms, which may also attack zucchini plants.