Sprouting Broccoli - can it be grown indoors?

[r.a.i.n.b.o.w]

Hello everyone, just joined but have read on and off over the last couple of years

Just wondered if sprouting (purple/white/green) broccoli could be grown indoors? I live in a flat and successfully grow all kinds of veg indoors every year, but would love to tackle some sprouting broccoli. Does it need the frost to help it sprout spears? How big does a plant grow? I have heard that WHITE sprouting broccoli is a smaller plant, so perhaps more feasable? Anyone had success with these as indoor plants?

Thanks all, in advance

[Piggle]

Not tried but it's pretty big, couple of feet (maybe that was just mine!) you have to stake it as well I find. When you say indoors do you have a grow light or are you growing on the windowsill?

[r.a.i.n.b.o.w]

Not tried but it's pretty big, couple of feet (maybe that was just mine!) you have to stake it as well I find. When you say indoors do you have a grow light or are you growing on the windowsill?

Most of my stuff is grown on the windowsill, but have been wondering about grow lights ever since I saw what they do to salad leaves! So that may be my next purchase - would they be good for any indoor sprouting broccoli?

[Alison]

I think you'd struggle inside, they're a long term plant that gets big, mine are usually about 3.5' tall by the time I'm harvesting and they are in the ground from summer until springtime so quite a commitment. Have grown the white stuff in the past and to be honest I can't say that I've noticed the plants being any smaller. Sorry I can't be more positive.

[Potstubsdustbins]

In my opinion the answer would be no unless you got a major set up.

My PSB grows in standard dustbins, it stands about 2 to 3 feet above the soil level and is about the same across. Also I think you would need more than one plant.

Colin

[r.a.i.n.b.o.w]

Just as I thought, Colin. Thanks all anyway

[Jono]

Like the other peeps say, it can get very big. It also has a long growing season, so it'll be in your way for a long time!

Shame, as it is a brilliant and striking plant to grow.

Would love to see some pics of your veg grown indoors.

[Alison]

In my opinion the answer would be no unless you got a major set up.

My PSB grows in standard dustbins, it stands about 2 to 3 feet above the soil level and is about the same across. Also I think you would need more than one plant.

Colin

Whilst I'd agree with everything else you've said I'm not at all sure why you'd need more than one plant except for yield issues.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Alison exactly, I grow 5 plants and like to be able to walk along the row and take mature heads from all of the plants. That way I get lots of PSB on my plate.

Potty

[veg man]

As it flowers late winter early spring i would of though it needs that cold spell.may be to warm indoors as all ready said it can grow to a 1mt tall .so i wouls say not one for the indoors

[Paulieb]

I would say that you probably wouldn't get very good results unless u used supplementary light. There isn't enough light indoors to grow any crop from start to finish.

An added difficulty would be that plants use one type of light for vegetative growth and a slightly different type for seed production so you might even need 2 sets of lighting rigs.

There's no harm in trying though. Would be interested to see what happens.

[zazen999]

I don't even grow it outside as it's a PITA - with all the bugs it attracts.

[vikkib]

Not a real broccoli but might be worth a try:

RAPINI (BROCCOLI RAAB)

Vegetable Seeds: Broccoli or Calabrese, & Rapini

Only grows to about 1 ft tall and ready to harvest a lot quicker than sprouting broccoli (50-60 days)