If broccoli develops flowers early, the reasons are often care errors or suboptimal location selection. Finding the errors is important so that you can prevent them in the next crop. Despite the uncomplicated growing conditions, care is important.
Why is my broccoli sprouting and developing flowers early?
Broccoli shoots and develops flowers prematurely due to care errors, suboptimal location selection, unfavorable climatic conditions or a lack of water and nutrient supply. To prevent this, you should ensure sufficient fertilization, irrigation and suitable site conditions.
This is how vegetables grow
Broccoli, like cauliflower, is a flowering vegetable because the florets of the still closed inflorescences form the edible part of the plant. In contrast to the related light-colored vegetable cabbage, the flower buds of this cruciferous plant are well developed and clearly visible. Harvesting occurs before the buds develop.
Premature flower development
If the winter cauliflower blooms too early, gardeners speak of shooting. This happens under unfavorable location conditions and with incorrect care. Broccoli needs certain stimuli in order to bloom. An unusually warm climate in spring causes a premature growth spurt, causing the plant to bloom prematurely. Cold periods after early planting in the bed also encourage the vegetables to develop more quickly. Last but not least, the supply of water and nutrients plays an important role.
Claims
The vegetable prefers deep soil that is loose and has a high humus content. Poor and sandy soils can be improved with compost. Evenly moist substrates ensure constant growth. A higher lime content promotes plant he alth. Algae lime is good for adjusting the environment. When choosing a location, make sure that the bed is in a sunny area of the garden.
How to support growth
Application of compost directly before planting ensures an adequate supply of nutrients. Heavy feeders value further fertilization as soon as the first flowers appear. To avoid growth disorders, you can supply the plants with diluted nettle manure (€19.00 on Amazon) six weeks after planting out or shortly before bud formation.
Keep the soil constantly moist. If the subsoil dries out, the flowering vegetables react quickly with premature flower development. The risk is particularly high in hot and long-lasting dry periods.
Harvest
Broccoli's growing season lasts 14 to 15 weeks. The harvest takes place after seven to ten weeks, although late autumn varieties require a little more time until they are ready for harvest. Breeds that mature over the winter produce yields after six months in the coming season.
When are the heads ready to harvest?
When a flower has developed that consists of clearly visible and swollen flower buds, the harvest window opens. The broccoli heads should still be completely closed. A yellowish shimmer and loose shoots indicate an overripe condition. At this stage of development, the vegetable has an intense cabbage flavor that can become unpleasant. Cut off the central bud so that additional secondary roses develop on the thinner side shoots.
Tip
Spray the cabbage the night before harvest. How to remove insects and soil particles.
