| Botanical name | Brassica oleracea var. italica |
|---|---|
| Plant Care |  Deciduous Deciduous – Sheds Its Leaves Annually  Full Sun Full Sun – Prefers 6 or more hours of sun per day.  Frost Sensitive Frost Sensitive – Will Get Damaged and Possibly Killed During Periods of Frost.  Moderate Watering Moderate Watering – Requires Regular Watering.  Pruning Required Pruning Required – Needs to be Pruned.  Non Indigenous Non Indigenous – Exotic to South Africa. |
| Categories | |
| Common name(s) | Broccoli |
| Origin | |
| Planting instructions | Sow in seedbeds or seed trays during late summer.Transplant seedlings when they reach a height of 100–150mm, planting them 400mm apart in the row. |
| Maintenance | Feed the plants with nitrogen fertilizer once a month. |
| Soil conditions | Broccoli grows best in well-drained, medium to heavy clay soils that have been well prepared with large quantities of general fertilizer, manure and compost. |
| Interesting info | Recommended varieties: ‘Emperor’, a warm season variety with high yields; ‘Green Valiant’ is very adaptable, with reliable good quality. |
| Common pests and diseases | Caterpillars, and aphids on stressed plants that suffer from a lack of moisture and nutrients.Downy mildew and black rot on seedlings in warm, moist weather. |
| Harvest | The central head is ready 9-10 weeks after transplanting.Cut while the head is still compact, before the buds open, leaving 120-150mm of the main stem.The plants will then send out side shoots with smaller heads. Cut these at the same stage, leaving 70-100mm of stem. |
| Yield | Twelve plants are enough for a family of four.Sow every six weeks in season to prolong the harvest. |
Brassica oleracea var. italica (Broccoli)
- Botanical name: Brassica oleracea var. italica
- Common name(s): Broccoli
- Categories: Fruits and Vegetables
Plant description:
Sprouting broccoli produces central heads which may be green or purple. After these are cut, side shoots with smaller clusters develop. An adaptable cool-season plant, broccoli is easier to grow than cauliflower. A popular winter vegetable.
Family: Brassicaceae
Botanical Pronunciation: BRAS-ee-ka
Brassica oleracea var. italica requirements and features
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Moderate Maintenance
Requires moderate maintenance.
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