Are you supposed to prune brussels sprouts?

[darcymum]

I have grown some and have noticed very small sprouts at the base of each very big leaf. I was hoping to have them for Christmas. Do I need to do something to them or will they just get bigger on their own?

I know sprouts aren't popular but somebody must grow them.

They just get bigger on their own. By Christmas they should be ready to cut. I usually just cut the whole plant and then take the sprouts off the tree.

I'm also growing flower sprouts this year. I would be grateful for any input on these as I've never even seen them before.

Thanks, can you eat the leafs as well?

i am growing brussels but haven't seen any tiny sprouts yet - i will have a close inspection tomorrow!

The leaves are tough, but once the sprouts are picked off and eaten you can eat the newer leaves that come out the top (assuming you haven't felled the whole plant like StressedHEmum does)

Have any of you brave sprout growing MNers noticed how much nicer they are when just picked and cooked immediately? they taste like a different vegetable IMO MY DCs still won't eat them

MMB, I'm the only one in here that will eat them, so there's no point, really in letting the little shoots come back. I tried it one year, but I was just overwhelmed with greens, when you take it along with all the chard, spinach, cabbage and stuff that I have. I do love the little leaves in soup, though.

You can use the leaves in soup, if you cook them for ages and blend it. I've done it before, but am not sure that it's worth it really, as the kids won't eat it because it tastes "sprouty"

I'll confess here that i order a stalk plus sprouts of course for Cmas. I have planted the stalk and not had much luck, are they biannuals? do they need a lot of good compost watering etc?

I keep the stalk in water,after trimming the end, and it doesn't die till 2 months or so after planting where do you think i'm going wrong stressed?

Sprouts are "fairy cabbages" in this house.

ppeatfruit, d'you mean you planted the stalk once you had eaten the sprouts off it?

Yes of course is that wrong? There were a couple left i think, I like fairy cabbages that's a good way to get the little DCs to eat them Mine are too grown up sadly.

Its just I've never heard of someone trying to replant a stalk of sprouts.

Well it grew like another stalk and flower and as I didn't know what to expect I didn't know if it would go on to be a normal sprout plant!

i have found some tiny brussels on the stalk - they are just the size of a pea right now... will they grow in time for chirstmas lunch?! xx

I think so, as i posted before i don't really know sorry.