Do you remove the leaves from Brussels Sprouts?

[Ananke]

I've never removed the lower leaves from the plants and never seem to get very big sprouts.

Do any of you remove them and if so when do you do it and do you take them all off at one time or should it be a gradual process?

Thanks for reading

[Alison]

They fall off by themselves. Never removed them if they're healthy and always good good sprouts. I don't think there is any necessity to do it and the size of the sprouts is governed by the variety, soil prep and time of planting.

[Bigmallly]

Agree, only take them off if they are yellow or hanging off. They need their leaves to build up the sprouts.

[bearded bloke]

As above, unless you want to eat them (thin stips added to a stir fry or as a cabbage substitute )

[Ananke]

Thanks guys. I'll leave them alone.
We were doing a plot inspection yesterday and one guys spouts looked amazing and had no lower leaves so I thought I would check.

[Bigmallly]

Like Alison said, maybe just a different variety. Ask him what they are and how he grew them, pick his brains.

[veggiechicken]

Like Alison said, maybe just a different variety. Ask him what they are and how he grew them, pick his brains.

..............and his sprouts

[Jungle Jane]

People do things in different ways & get good results. I do remove the lower leaves from my Brussels sprouts,when they are marble sized. In stages never all in one go,to allow the sprout more space to grow. I keep the top leaves on till close to harvesting. A sprout is made of leaves,getting rid of some leaves doesnt have any detrimental effect on the plant,I think it helps the sprout get some sunlight & space. There's loads of info online about it.