Broccoli in containers

flowerbomb21

Hi.
]I bought 6 purple sprouting brocolli plants from my local garden centre a few days ago. I have left them outside on my balcony and the plants look very healthy. But I am unsure how big the pot needs to be (I know pretty big) and I don't think I can plant all 6 I won't have room for anything else! Also, I don't think "The brocolli balcony" has the same ring to it as "Long meadow".  ... not as dreamy.  Anyway, please can anyone advise me on the right sort of size pot and how many plants I can use. I am happy to use the one plant and give the others away. Also would I use all purpose compost or vegetable compost?

Many thanks

Dovefromabove

To give you some idea of its mature size, the plant to the back left, near the fence, is purple sprouting broccoli.  

I’ve never grown it in containers but I would say it needs a pot at least as big as a large bucket. It will also need staking as it needs to be planted firmly and not blown about by the wind. 

As I don’t grow vegetables in containers I’m afraid I don’t know the vegetable compost you refer to. Does it say it’s suitable for brassicas? 

flowerbomb21

Hi DFA,

Thank you very much for responding to my post. I would have checked my messages earlier but I had such a busy day at work I didn't have time.. Re the veg compost - that was how the woman at garden centre referred to it as ? unsure on that one.. So, what I do have is mp compost with john innes and I also have miracle gro mpc. I know you said you don't grow in pots but if you were to plant up broccoli in a pot right now what would your medium be? And do I add perlite, verm and grit etc., or just mpc?

Many thanks

Dovefromabove

I’ve been using MPC with John Innes for containers of ornamentals ... Hostas, cannas etc and have been pleased with the results so that’s probably what I’d go for. I’d put some crocks in the bottom but I don’t think I’d add anything else. 
Good luck ... love Purple Sprouting Broccoli 😋 

flowerbomb21

Thank you so much DFA  I can't believe summer is nearly over. It sped by and came and went too quickly. Maybe we will get another few weeks of sunshine - you never know!

Oh, please can I ask you one more thing if you don't mind. It's just that my penstemon hasn't flowered at all yet?  Foliage looks healthy but no buds. Shall I cut back to next leaf nodes or leave it be?

Dovefromabove

Is it in a pot?  

I don’t think Id cut it back now, any resulting new growth would be vulnerable to winter frosts. 

I’d leave it for now ... just make sure it doesn’t get waterlogged over the winter, then in the spring when it shows sign of life I’d cut it right back ... repot ... and six weeks later I’d give it a dose of tomato feed.  

flowerbomb21

I will follow yr advice thank youuuuuuuu DFA ..... Have a lovely day