Small Brussel Sprouts

ColinA

Over the last 3-4 years my Brussel sprouts have only been very small on the stem, I have tried different varieties to no avail, each spring I start off the seed in pots, harden off then plant ,they grow to about 2 foot high but the buttons don't get very large, I feed with chicken manure and liquid comfrey at a ratio of 10-1.
Any ideas would be very welcome

Allotment Boy

They may need a higher nitrogen feed early on, or as I  have found that, two things really help all the brassicas.  Seaweed tonic, and feed plus rock dust or Remin  ( the same thing crushed volcanic rock) both slow acting. A few years ago I  had trouble with cabbages not hearting up, and broccoli not forming good heads etc, ever since using the rock dust, applied at planting time, these problems have disappeared. 

BobTheGardener

When you plant them out, try planting them deeper, so only the leaves are showing.  Also firm them in really well, using your feet to compact the soil around the roots.  If you are already doing these things, then check the roots for clubroot.

powermp

ColinA said:

Over the last 3-4 years my Brussel sprouts have only been very small on the stem, I have tried different varieties to no avail, each spring I start off the seed in pots, harden off then plant ,they grow to about 2 foot high but the buttons don't get very large, I feed with chicken manure and liquid comfrey at a ratio of 10-1.
Any ideas would be very welcome

Change location? Soil must be the issue 

bertrand-mabel

This year we did sprouts for the first time in decades. Sowed the seeds in doors as our clay soil (even after 30 years of compost) is too cold to sow outdoors. Planted out the seedlings and they sulked for some time and then got going. Big mistake by us we didn't net and so the whites came and caterpillars all over. However the plants kept going and the sprouts have been sprouting. So far we have harvested 3 good crops and more.

We don't feed our veg once they are planted out.

MikeOxgreen

Maybe the OP will come back some day.

ColinA

Thanks for all comments
As a point of interest I always grow in a different part of the allotment and use clubroot resistant seed, also cabbages, cauliflower, January king cabbage are successful

Allotment Boy

The other thing I have forgot to mention is what variety  you grow will affect size. Also they can be slow to mature, some are ready now but others don't mature till Dec -Jan.  Although modern varieties have had a lot of the bitterness bred out of them, I still prefer to have later ones that have had a frost on them.