How many sprouts can one plant yield?
Written by
Olivia Mitchell
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.The performance of Brussels sprouts is all about precision. My initial plants only produced 12 loose sprouts, and then I learned some topping techniques. Now I have healthy plants with 35-40 firm sprouts. What changed? Timing applications of phosphorus and ruthlessly robbing leaves. Your plant's performance is dependent on the care decisions you make every day.
Topping Methods
- Cut main stem 3 weeks before first frost
- Leave 8-10 leaves below cut
- Seal wounds with pruning paste
- Redirects energy to sprout growth
Leaf Management
- Remove yellow leaves every 3 days
- Prune lower leaves when sprouts form
- Keep 12-15 healthy top leaves
- Improves air circulation
Boron Application
- Test soil monthly for 0.5-1.0 ppm
- Spray 0.5% borax solution at dawn
- Apply to soil every 6 weeks
- Prevents hollow stems
Topping gives a good plant a jolt. I time my cuts when the sprouts reach the size of peas. This forces the energy to be directed into existing sprouts instead of going out and upward. Last season's topped plants had 38 sprouts, and untouched ones had 22. Use clean shears! A dirty tool can carry diseases.
A deficit of boron quietly affects yields. I use 1 tsp of borax per 5 gallons for foliar sprays. Apply it at the dew point, as the leaves absorb it best possible at that time. My plants had hollow sprouts until three foliar boron treatments were used. I also drench masses of soil, but I am always concerned about over-application!
Water management is the difference between professionals and amateurs. I run my drip lines for 30 minutes each day on the clay soil. Sandy plots receive two cycles of 15 minutes each. My $15 moisture meter put an end to my guessing. Keeping the moisture consistent causes the sprouts to plump and prevents split stalks.
Read the full article: How to Grow Brussels Sprouts: Pro Tips for Big Harvests
