broccoli way too early heading

[b54red]

This seems to occur sometimes in the fall or in the spring and it is really aggravating. I planted out young fast growing broccoli and cabbage seedlings for spring and the broccoli started heading when it was only about 9 inches tall. I have had this happen in the fall when the heat doesn't let up like it should and I have had it happen in the spring when using plants that were too old or when summer heat arrived early. We have had what would seem a perfect spring for broccoli and yet this year it just headed up for no apparent reason. I talked to another couple of gardeners around here and they had the same thing happen and they were at a loss to explain it. I had a fantastic fall and winter broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower crop. I'm having an even better year than ever with Brussels sprouts and the spring cabbage is doing great. We have had cool spring weather much later than is usual and that usually delays heading. After cutting the main head and a few puny side shoots I just pulled it way early and put in some tomatoes.

[RebelRidin]

Have you seen hard freezes on those transplants? I just set ouy 50 brocolli last weekend and I have now had three nights in a row below 24 degrees. I think we're past that now but they are sure showing some stress. They have me worried as I don't have any extras...

[b54red]

Mine weren't damaged by a hard freeze but it did get down below freezing for several nights in a row; but that was after they had started prematurely heading.

Sounds like it got pretty cold where you are so you may have some damage but if the plants haven't started heading and they survive they should be fine. If you get a hard freeze once heads are forming you can get ice crystals formed in parts of the head and then a couple of weeks later you get rot in the head. I've had that happen a few times in the past with broccoli and cauliflower so if it is going to get below 28 for more than a few hours I try to cover them.

[RebelRidin]

Originally Posted by b54red

Mine weren't damaged by a hard freeze but it did get down below freezing for several nights in a row; but that was after they had started prematurely heading.

Sounds like it got pretty cold where you are so you may have some damage but if the plants haven't started heading and they survive they should be fine. If you get a hard freeze once heads are forming you can get ice crystals formed in parts of the head and then a couple of weeks later you get rot in the head. I've had that happen a few times in the past with broccoli and cauliflower so if it is going to get below 28 for more than a few hours I try to cover them.

Thanks for the insights... We had a warmer night with rain and a good day today. The outer leaves have been hard hit but the centers already are looking happier. I think they should be fine as we have a just about perfect forecast for the next week.

[tjg911]

what variety of broccoli? i've grown 4 or 5 varieties and only packman was a problem and i'll never ever grow it ever never again but that's me.

a cold snap can induce premature heading. i put my broccoli out 15 days before the last frost date. in your area i wouldn't try to guess but you do the math. for me i start broccoli tomorrow and put them out on 5/15, last frost date for me is memorial day weekend.

tom

[b54red]

I had four different types and they all headed way too early. I see this fairly often down here when we have far too much heat for too long when the plants are small; but the weather has been what seems perfect for broccoli this spring. All my other cool weather crops have been outstanding from lettuce and cabbage to Brussels sprouts. We have had a lot of temperature variations that had a wide range in a short time so I will just assume that has caused this early heading because nothing else makes sense.

Bill

[Stvrob]

I don't know Red, but that always happens to me when I plant brocolli in the spring here. If I put it in in October/november it does fine.
I'm thinking that its the alternating warm then cold of north Florida early spring? But not really sure.

[mecktom]

Mine did the same thing. It was Pac Man. Never had this problem before. The Premium Crop looks fine right now. I agree that fall broc. does much better

[Redbaron]

The trick with pack man is to start your own and plant in the ground very early, first set of real leaves, when the weather is still cold. Then throw a clear blanket or plastic over it if you get a really hard freeze. It can take a few light frosts once it is fully hardened. This will cause it to head both early, but also at a size to make nice heads.

[RebelRidin]

Originally Posted by Redbaron

The trick with pack man is to start your own and plant in the ground very early, first set of real leaves, when the weather is still cold. Then throw a clear blanket or plastic over it if you get a really hard freeze. It can take a few light frosts once it is fully hardened. This will cause it to head both early, but also at a size to make nice heads.

I've grown packman any number of times from Lowes. This is first problem I have had...

[tjg911]

i hate packman and will never ever grow it again. worst performing broccoli i ever grew.

tom

[roadrunner]

Originally Posted by tjg911

i hate packman and will never ever grow it again. worst performing broccoli i ever grew.

tom

I agree it has always been hit or miss. One year great next horrible.

I have had more problems with heat growing brocolli or cauliflower and always do better growing it here for a fall crop. I have had some good results with a brocolli seed called "Green Magic" which is very heat tolerant and heads form well right into mid summer.

[tjg911]

I have had more problems with heat growing brocolli or cauliflower and always do better growing it here for a fall crop.

i really don't have any trouble growing broccoli in the heat of july and august. the trick is watering. i plant out in mid may so by july the plants are large. i mulch the base with shredded leaves and create a well to hold water. when it's consistently in the upper 80's to mid 90's i water the plants every other day maybe every third day at the longest. each plant gets 1 gallon of water. they produce side shoots and grow very large and seem to not be effected by the heat. i've had times where it was in the upper 90's and low 100's and the broccoli still performed fine. i've done this with a few different varieties (green comet, atlantic, de ciccio and my best performing with large side shoots calabrese green sprouting).

if you have just a few plants then this is easy to do. i highly recommend calabrese green sprouting. it's easy to find and op. it is noted for large side shoots often 2" even 3" in diameter.

tom

[Keger]

I think it has to be a winter crop. I planted mine, Pacman, in Oct, and had a great batch around Super Bowl time.

Just one of those nature deals I think.

[RebelRidin]

I usually have a great early spring crop with pacman. This is the first failure. I stopped back by Lowes today. They still had some pacman... heading in the cell packs Obviously a supply problem. I suggested to the attendant that it was time they three the brocolli plants out. She didn't seem to understand but said she would relay the message to a manager.

Fortunately I only had ten of these. I have forty more of my own and they look fine for now. If the weather will hold seasonable in May I shoud do finewith them. Always an adventure