[annied]

Hi
we are thinking of growing sprouts this year but as with many virgin growers we have a few issues. F1 seeds or not? we understand there are positives to using them but are also keen to keep heritage varieties going. So any thoughts from you experts.

Also we dont have much room for starting seeds off and had thought of ordering plugs instead, but it looks like they wont arrive until May and there seems to be a suggestion that getting the sprouts in sooner rather than later is a better option.
So over to you lot, as always the help and advice is very useful. We are working on clay in NE london

thanks in anticipation
 

[DD.]

To be honest, I usually go for the F1's as I find the sprouts tighter, but that could be just me!

As regards early planting, I don't go for that school, as I said on another thread:

I think sprouts planted too early tend to blow as the sprouts are developing in the warmer weather and they do it too quickly. Far better in my book for them to be developing in the cooler autumn weather, rather than summer.

I won't be sowing until April, so plant plugs in May is not so far different.

[lucywil]

i have not managed to succeed with sprouts yet, F1 or other wise, every year i say i am not going to bother but every year i still try, maybe this year i will get it right 

[Kristen]

DD: Do you find the F1's all tend to come at the same time? or is the F1'ness just for tightness?

i have not managed to succeed with sprouts yet

What problem are you having?  Blown sprouts, or something else?

[lucywil]

yeah blown sprouts, the plants themselves grow fine but they just blow

[DD.]

DD: Do you find the F1's all tend to come at the same time? or is the F1'ness just for tightness?

F1's for tightness. Like others, mature from the bottom upwards.

[Stevens706]

Last year I grew 2 different F1 varieties Darkmar and Rood Norf, both were planted out early May.

[annied]

Many thanks for your input, we'll have to rethink by the looks of things

Anne   

[andy135]

yeah blown sprouts, the plants themselves grow fine but they just blow

If the sprouts are not planted in firm ground they will tend to rock in the wind and this can cause the sprouts to blow. Tread the ground before planting and if needs be place a stake at the side of the plant and tie it in. Also plant them a little deeper than they were in the seed tray/module.

[Christine]

They need plenty of feeding - manure or compost into soil in autumn, general fertiliser two weeks before planting, watering in dry weather (that one's often the cause of blown sprouts I've found) oh and a neutral soil with a pH of about 6.5-7. So use lime if necessary.

Believe me I had to ask before I started with sprouts and the training I was given worked for me.

[lucywil]

yeah blown sprouts, the plants themselves grow fine but they just blow

If the sprouts are not planted in firm ground they will tend to rock in the wind and this can cause the sprouts to blow. Tread the ground before planting and if needs be place a stake at the side of the plant and tie it in. Also plant them a little deeper than they were in the seed tray/module.

definately firm enough,

watering in dry weather (that one's often the cause of blown sprouts I've found)

could be the watering though, i never water anything once its established, maybe this year i will give it a go and see what happens.