Brussels Sprouts

[Elderflower]

The September copy of KG magazine says I should be supporting brussels sprouts to stop them waving about in the winter winds. Mine are only about a foot tall! They`re very bushy but I can`t see them doing much waving. Can`t remember what variety they are. (Remiss of me - should label stuff I know.) There don`t seem to be any knobbly bits that look as though they might turn into sprouts. Are they a dead loss? Should I be doing something to them?
Hopefully yours, E.F.

[Jennifer]

Don't give up yet Elderflower. Sprouts need a long growing time. My sprouts struggled when they were germinating and many died . Then I didn't have room to put them out and ended by putting them far too close together. They are growing and only slightly higher than a foot now and have quite a lot of caterpillars which I keep trying to pick off and remove. But the first signs of sprouts are there so I am hopeful that I may get something. I haven't been successful with sprouts for years!.

The sprouts form in the leaf axils (where they join the stem) and mine are only about the size of a small pea at the moment but I'm sure they will get bigger.

Just leave them and I am sure yours will develop too.

Jennifer

[Elderflower]

Thanks Jennifer, I`ll keep looking and hoping!
Best Wishes, E.F.

[oldherbaceous]

Well my dear Elderflower, i haven't even planted mine out yet, i must admit though, they are a late variety.
As for this staking business, you don't see many fields of brussels that have been staked.
When you are planting them in the gound though, it pays to plant them a little deeper than you would other plants, and firm the soil really well around them, with the heel of your boot if possible.
I do hope you get some brussels on your plants.

Kindest regards Old Herbaceous.

It will either rain or get dark.

[Elderflower]

Thanks O.H. When experience is limited one tends to read books etc as though they`re holy writ! And I`m very easily led! I shall be more patient.
Cordially, E.F.