I think I'm looking at a number of individual plants in one pot. Is that the case? Crowding of plants is a serious stressor.

Hmm, no, I don't think so. It came in a wee pot as a single plant and I simply transplanted it. How should I go about figuring out if there is more than one? Apologise, I've not grown broccoli before.

For reference, I believed this is what it would look like as it would start to grow. https://ask.extension.org/uploads/question/images/attachments/000/073/884/IMG_4266_original.JPG?1472834848

However, it was a gift, and not very big when received. I've repotted it twice, each time it's seemed rather happy, minus the aphids.

I agree with Dan. There are clearly 5 or possibly 6 individual plants in the pot. Each stem going into the soil is an individual plant. They're crowded, slightly etiolated and also appear wilted. Is the mix moist? I would suggest, if you can't repot each plant into its own pot harvesting 2 or three and eating them now as greens, leaving 2 or 3 to grow. Btw your link seems to show a kale or collard rather than broccoli. Are you expecting heads?

Well, it's possible that if there was originally one plant, with several branches, and you buried where the branches connect to the main stem, it can look (as it does) like you have separate plants coming out of the soil. In any case, there is kind of a lot of plant for that pot.

You're asking the plant to grow bigger, and in order to do that it needs more soil. If you can't manage a bigger pot, you're kinda stuck. I have to say that I'm kind of surprised at the size of the plants compared to the pots in the link you included.

You say it is potted in compost only? That's not optimal. No question why it is drying out fast.

Lol! I did actually laugh-out-loud btw. Well, then, I think it's pretty obvious what's going on here - I'm both an idiot and incompetent! ;)


I looked up what 'etiolated' means (always enjoyable to learn, thank-you), and I'm guessing these leaves aren't meant to be reaching so high? Does that mean the amount of sun it's receiving, isn't sufficient? The mix is moist, yes, though not sopping wet. Just moist. I'm uncertain what the wilting could mean/be from, aside from what you've both kindly pointed out. Should I be looking for something specific when I go to repot?

Yes, I was expecting heads. Naive?

My sweet peas look worse than this broccoli, I'll have to post some pictures of that too, as this forum has been nothing but a source of knowledge and help. I can't thank all of you enough. It would be lovely if one day I could pass on the knowledge.

Oh dear, daninthedirt I think I may have mislead you. I'd forgotten, I did use some mixed peat and graded sand, mainly around the roots. But, overall the main bulk is general compost. I looked up what I should use, the website I used for reference suggested general compost and sand.

What would you recommend for soil? I'm going to do what floral_uk has suggested and repot into smaller pots what I can repot. But I want to make sure I do this right this time. Any suggestions? I'll pick up what I can over the weekend and get to work saving them, if possible.

Lack of sunlight isn't your problem. The plant doesn't look seriously sun-deprived. But if you're losing leaves, it's because the plant simply can't support that many leaves. That's what comes from too much plant in too small a pot, in a poor mix. I'd just get your hands on some real container soil -- potting mix, or the like.

Now, if you have just one plant in there, however are you going to repot into smaller pots? If you have several plants headed for smaller pots, your troubles will just multiply by the number of pots.

If Art is in the UK then general purpose compost = potting mix.

Concur. Broccoli should have a single stem going to the ground.

daninthedirt &

farmerdill You both seem to be saying the same thing, which is that even if this is several plants (not the single plant I thought it was!), then I'll eventually run into the same issue. So, that leads me to my next question(s). The container I'm currently using is roughly 9-10inch in diameter, what would be the ideal container size for a single plant at it's full size? I'd read that they'll grow happily in a smaller (the size pot it's in now) containers, obviously this isn't correct.

LoneJack Zn you're right, I should have said, I am in the UK. Would that mean the soil mix that I used is sufficient?

I'm unsure how I should proceed, of course my decision this will depend on if retaining what I have, placed in smaller pots and proceeding will end up ultimately in the same situation -- which is what it sounds like will happen.

Are there other container plants I could grow (food type), that would be better suited to the amount of space and conditions? I was thinking turnip greens? Does anyone have any recommendations for reputable sources of information (books, websites etc) to grow container food, in small places? I'm not exactly technologically minded, and I'm dyslexic (videos and simple instructions suit me best) but I'll take whatever help I can get!

It would seem the sweet peas I have are headed the same direction, if I can't resolve the issue with the sweet pea, I'll post pictures and details tomorrow. I wasn't joking, I really can kill any plant, not something I'm all-too-proud of and would very much like to have a better understanding.

Thanks.

Re potting mix in the UK, I believe "potting compost" is different stuff then "garden compost". I think the former can actually include some soil, wherin it is called "loam mix". You can grind the latter up and mix it with stuff to make the former.

Alrighty then daninthedirt! I can do that, re the potting mix. Thanks very much for the insight. So, Dan, what do you think? Do you think I should try my cursed hand at turnip greens in this container instead of sad broccoli? Any chance at growing anything else?

I have to add this, although unrelated to growing plants, I love a Texan accent! London, UK accents aren't quite so musical (that's a compliment).

All the best chaps.

Thanks Dan! You may find me rather silly but I do love plants, especially the kind I can eat! I hope I can get better at this, I need to find a solid source of reading material. Until then, I'll see what I can do! Thanks for your help, I look forward to your kind advice in future. I wish I could repay you lot, everyone here has been very friendly and free with help. Have a very good evening.

I wondered if you were in the U.K. Art when I read about the compost, but I couldn't pin down Brit language in the rest of your post. And I was thrown off by your use of neem which is quite unusual over here. Must be a trendy London thing ;-) Broccoli is actually pretty tricky. I don't even try to grow it on the allotment I've had for years. I only grow purple sprouting which us a cinch. It isn't really a good choice for a balcony insofar as you only get one or two heads from a large plant that is taking up space for months. To be honest I'd cut my losses on these and eat them as greens. You could try a courgette in that pot or some cut and come again lettuces. But in my opinion the best value, if you only have a single container is something like rosemary or a bay tree. You can harvest all the year round and they'll live for years.

I am going through this learning process with my kids, both with London balconies. They are so enthusiastic but they're choosing a lot of inappropriate plants for their situations. Son has tomatoes in 6 inch pots in shade. I'm trying to break the bad news to him gently.

This forum is fun but remember almost all posters are based in the US. In fact that's why I frequent it. Things are so different and hence more interesting to me than U.K. sites.

Well, hello there floral_uk! I realised that you were in the UK based on your name but it hadn't 'clicked' entirely that I should have included my location too...! Whereabouts are you? I'm in sunny North London, it's most certainly not as lovely as most parts of the UK and not a green either! But, we make due.

Ha! Yes, neem is very rarely used in the UK which is odd as my grandfather taught me to use it for just about everything including as a topical moisturiser. It stinks something rotten, but it works! I've been trying to get the trendy folk on to it, seeing as I have so little sway, I believe it may take some time before it takes off! ;)

Gosh I wish I had you as my helping hand, it sounds like you're doing a wonderful job with the kids actually. I'm certain they're quite grateful for your words of wisdom. Poor tomatoes though, haha. Thanks kindly for the sound advice, specifically what I should/shouldn't grow. I have a 'window box', which is over the side of my balcony. It's just shy of 9inches wide, but about twice that in length. I think I'll try my hand at some greens in there and see how it goes. It's such a shame, I do miss a space that's not restricted.

What do people think about runner beans? Would that be any good in the pot I've been idiotically trying to grow broccoli in? I'm quite interested in learning, and of course if the plant doesn't provide an abundance, so be it.

I picked up a book on how to grow vegetables yesterday, though it's not entirely great use for my situation it may assist somewhat and hopefully in future.

I agree floral_uk, it's interesting seeing the US centric way of doing things. I do hope your allotment is doing well and is bountiful. I hope to see you around here again soon. All the best to you and yours.

I was in sunny N London this very weekend and it was very green where I was. Lots of parks. But now I'm back home at my secret location in the South West. Son has duly transplanted his tomatoes to larger containers.

Runner beans are a good idea in a big enough pot. 6 - 8 in a 5l container. Feed them well. They produce well and crop for several weeks plus you get pretty flowers. In your microclimate they may even over winter as tubers and sprout again next year. They are actually perennial but generally die off in our winters unless protected. If you sow seeds start ASAP because it's a bit getting late. They should be several feet high by now. Or see if you can find some plants.

One day, I truly hope I will also have a secret location of my own, with a patch of land. Pleased you were able to experience some park life while in London, I also hope you had a rather enjoyable time!

Fabulous news re runner beans! This leaves me with the option of runner beans, herbs, possibly lettuce and turnip greens. All is not lost. Although I may miss everything this year, I'll be prepped for next.

Now all I have to do is figure out what on earth I'm doing wrong with my indoor plants, too!

Once again, I can't thank everyone enough, especially you floral_uk and daninthedirt. It's been a wonderful learning experience that I will attempt to put into practice. Many thanks, I hope I can return the kindness.

You haven't missed everything this year. Eat the leaves!

Still not too late if you can find runner bean plants or climbing French beans. Also plenty of time to sow some lettuce. Do it in the evening though because its been quite warm recently and high temps inhibit germination with lettuce.

Don't worry daninthedirt, on your sound advice those leaves are going in ma belly!

floral_uk so exciting. There's no pun intended in that statement. I'll be keeping my eye out for the some bean plants that are already established, and see if I can't find anything. If not, as you've kindly suggested, I'll get some lettuce seed sown. I'm so easily pleased!

If anything comes of these plans, aside from eating the broccoli leaves I have at present, I'll be sure to share and thank you guys again. It would be to your credit after all!

Have fun!

Aye-aye, will do!

Art Vandelay

"... it hadn't 'clicked' entirely that I should have included my location too...! "

Indeed! Tis a common problem we see here on many of the forums. It simply doesn't occur to many people that where one resides is not a minor detail. Can make it a bit dicey to attempt giving advice to those across the pond as your conditions are often so different than ours. (Not too mention what products we can easily get vs what you might have available.) Even for those within our own country, not supply location data is a real issue when trying to give advice. Because our country is so large, there is a huge range of climates across the breathe of the nation. In my area, for example, we generally have a rather short growing season -- generally around 3 months. Some of our southern states regularly see summer temps in excess of 38C. Some areas are unlikely to see any rain for 3 months or more during the summer.

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

"But in my opinion the best value, if you only have a single container is something like rosemary or a bay tree. You can harvest all the year round and they'll live for years."

Always amusing/interesting to see what some folks are able to grow with little effort. In my area, rosemary generally has to be grown as an annual. Our winters are far too severe for such a plant to have any hope of surviving outside year-round. Compounding the problem is the fact that it is rare for folks to have much success keeping it alive indoors for the winter. In milder areas of the US, it is a different story.

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

"Son has tomatoes in 6 inch pots in shade. I'm trying to break the bad news to him gently."

Egads! Even the dwarf patio toms would have trouble in such a small pot! The shade would make for one very unhappy plant. At least he has you to advise him. :-)