Will "old" plants still produce?

Moreman78 Tue Jan 31, 2012 6:22 pm

Hello fellow sfg's! I have two questions for you.

1) I started some broccoli from seed in September 2011 in Maryland, and now the plants are about 8-12 inches tall and have survived quite a few freezing temps (I haven't covered them or anything). I'm starting to think they may survive the long winter but their production period is well past due. There is still no sign of broccoli heads. My question is, will a plant still produce if it is well past it's lifespan? (say broccoli is ready to harvest in 75 days but mine is now at 120 days) Will my broccoli still produce some heads if I leave it alone or is it "too old" to produce and should I tear it out and start over again?

2) Has anyone had success with broccoli from seed in Maryland in their sfg? I started seeds indoors yesterday based on this forum.

Thanks!

littlesapphire Tue Jan 31, 2012 7:39 pm

I can't answer for sure, but I bet that the plant is just growing so slowly because it's so cold. Plants aren't like people in that respect; they don't grow at a certain fixed rate. It depends a lot on weather, temperature, and how much water and food they're getting. If they're still alive after living through all that, I bet they'll produce nicely once it starts warming up a little.

DZ Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:41 am

I was told, by someone I feel knows his stuff, that broccoli that has wintered over will not produce a worthwhile result. His statement was that very small heads would be produced.

Last year, I was able to get some good results from seed. I got a late start, so hopefully this year will be better.

elliephant Thu Mar 01, 2012 3:00 pm

Of course my climate is quite different, but I'm just now getting broccoli from plants I started from seed in October. Even though our temps are usually in the 70s and 80s during the winter, with a few "cold" weeks here and there in the 50s and 60s, broccoli takes FOREVER to grow.

Moreman78 Fri Apr 13, 2012 12:35 pm

Well, it turns out that the broccoli did produce tiny heads and some of the plants were starting to flower. So we ate maybe 2 cups worth from 6 plants, then I pulled them up to make room for other Spring crops...including more broccoli. Thanks for your input.

plantoid Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:48 pm

That's a pity ,

The broccoli that over winter for us are sprouting types ( It sounds like yours are too ) , we keep cutting the florets and leaves for greens as long as you need to till the rest of the veg start producing .

Our broccoli have been giving florets for nearly 2 & 1/2 months , any that started to break into flowers got the flowering part scissored off and the plant was left to regrow . They have gone upwards quite abit for we've also taken a few leaves of several plants and used them as a boiled cabbage .

We have fed the plants twice with dried blood , fish & bone meal ( as per the pack directions ) since christmas , as we didn't want to risk loosening them by turning in a trowel of compost near the base of the plants .

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Will "old" plants still produce?

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