Brocolli/ Calabrese

[shirlton]

Last year we grew Ironman and Chevalier. Both were good. this year tried Wilkies Brocolli just to compare. It not a named variety but its not worth the trouble. Thank goodness we have Chevalier going in next week.
Which varieties do you find give the best yield

[shirlton]

[manicscousers]

We're trying de cicco this year, plus just a green calabrese from kings, some of the king's ones have gone early . Mind you, we're getting some really nice side shoots
just put in some romanesco broccoli which are my favourites, they're growing very well at the moment and the rain is helping  :)

[shirlton]

Let me know how your Romanesco go Manics. We grew some lovely ones a couple of years ago but have had no luck since.

[manicscousers]

Ours are started in cells and transplanted until they're quite a big plant, due to club root problems. We're also experimenting with rock dust this year, don't know if its a coincidence but the potato bed we treated has out performed all the others. We've also done one brassica bed. Will let you know  :)

[torquil]

trying medwyn's parthenon this year plants are strong and healthy, last year did,nt do well with ironman at all.  most just went to seed hope to have better this time.

[Jayb]

I really like Aquiles for early (jan) and late (July/Aug) sowings. But both of these go into a polytunnel. A later batch planted outside are just starting to head up now I think from a march sowing. Really reliable and good second crop of florets too.

Ironman have been really good this year about 21/2  weeks behind Aquiles, slightly smaller heads but flavour is better. Finished the main heads last week.

I've gone for Belstar for mid season, can't remember much about them, but I kept the packet from last year. Also growing De Cicco

Late season I'll be growing Samson and Aquiles. If the weather is kind and I get my timings right hopefully will be cropping until Dec.

Last year disappointing results from Real Seeds Quick Heading Calabrese 60 days, small heads with variable quality on big leafy plants. Not very keen on Kabuki and Sakura, I found the flavour lacking although they did produce a decent crop.

I've not tried Chevalier but I'll add it to my wish list to try  :)

[shirlton]

I tried real seeds brocolli and romanesco but was sorry to say neither of them did very well. I had all different sorts of heads on both.
I have some ready to plant out next week. Is there still time to sow some more for autumn harvest

[Morris]

I like the ones that give lots of side-shoots. I've found Belstar particularly good, huge main heads then lots of chunky shoots over a long period so long as it doesn't get too hot and dry. I also like Chevalier. Ironman is good for very early crops but for me the side-shoots aren't very productive.

This year I'm trying Italian green sprouting. Cut loose main heads so far and waiting to see what the side-shoot production is like.

[antsinmipants]

Last year we grew Ironman and Chevalier. Both were good. this year tried Wilkies Brocolli just to compare. It not a named variety but its not worth the trouble. Thank goodness we have Chevalier going in next week.
Which varieties do you find give the best yield

Hi,Shirlton,its not that 'Green Calabrese' is it?.....I've tried that and its rubbish,it always goes to seed...totally tripe and a waste of time. I hope for your sake its not that stuff. Rule of thumb is always go for F1's with Brocolli and calabrese. Good luck if its not the green calabrese.

[shirlton]

Yes its green calabrese. Just thought I would give it a go. Won't be tempted again.

[tim]

Parthenon is pretty reliable.  Can't see the point in coloured ones .

Prefer anything with side shoots - spreads the season better - which is one thing against F1s - they all seem to mature  on the same day!!

Romanesco for flavour every time. And freezes well.

[shirlton]

Thanks Tim. Another one to put on my list

[tim]

Romanesco - for the few who haven't met it - I should have said top left!

[RSJK]

I have grown F1 marathon for the last 3 years now and have had good results with it. This year i have tryed F1 Sticcoli which is prefoming very well.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I wonder what happens if you grow out a bunch of the F1's and save the seed for a few generations? Another potential brassica project, and I've got enough to last me ten years already!