Sprout question..

[Jimr]

Those of you who grow Brussel Sprouts......Do you break the leaves off as the plant grows or do you just let them grow without breaking the leaves off. I've seen pictures of them standing up like a bull-pecker cane and I've seen them with all the leaves on. I have been breaking off the leaves as they grow in past years. Then I would forget to by mid-summer and I seem to get better sprouts where the leaves are left on. They are not as big, but they are very solid. Opinions please...

[Fire it up]

Haven't tried growing them myself, this Fall will be the first time but I know ALX has grown them for years along with a few other folks on here but don't remember exactly who else but Alex for sure.

[ALX]

I have grown about 16-20 every year for many years.....I would post some of my pics ,but photobucket isnt working for me.......


The key in my opinion is to get size...say 3 foot or so before they start to make sprouts....then i cut the first leaves off at stem about 1/4 way up and the sprout will form nicely and repeat this until i basicaly just have 8-10 leaves at top.......

I start mine june first in pots.....They always go in garden here in maryland by late july.....Gives them plenty of time get size and then cooler weather comes in september/october and the plant can pump them out until december-january........

I guess what i am saying is i have timed it for maximum stalk growth before they start producing sprouts....This way as i trim i have enough large leaves on top to support a healthy plant and produce sprouts....The theory behind trimming seems be the sprout will get most of the energy as opposed to the leaf...seems work fine for me....I have trimmed off say 3/4 of leaves at beggining of sprouts starting to form(experiment) and that didnt work well....seems to be a balance in my opinion of leaf to sprouts...

Using this method i have harvested them in 2 foot of snow.....If i can get my pics working i will post.....