Broccoli and cabbage leaves turning purple

Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Country
United States
I planted in some broccoli and cabbage about three weeks ago and I've seen very little growth, and purple leaves. I planted a bunch of other stuff as well and it's all doing well. Also new growth seems to be good looking. I was worried that it was a watering issue so I turned the watering down to twice a week. What is wrong with my broccoli and cabbage?
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2014
Messages
11,597
Reaction score
5,677
Location
La Porte Texas
Hardiness Zone
8b
Country
United States
It is probably a nutrient deficiency, either calcium or phosphorus. Most soils naturally have plenty of calcium but it is tied up and the plant cannot uptake. I would try epsom salts as it somehow enables a plant to uptake tied up calcium. If that doesn't work fertilize with a good organic fertilizer. Change will not be fast.
 
Joined
Mar 22, 2017
Messages
4,319
Reaction score
3,305
Location
Kent
Country
United Kingdom
Here I would think that purple leaves were a sign of cold weather - lots of plants in my garden have purple leaves in the winter. As well as that, I would never expect to see a spurt in growth on anything at all in the middle of winter - that usually happens when the sun comes out in the springtime.

By the way Sir.... welcome to the forum
1612362791886.png
 
Joined
Mar 26, 2013
Messages
3,477
Reaction score
1,533
Location
Port William
Showcase(s):
1
Country
United Kingdom
pH could be the problem, as brassicas like neutral to slightly alkaline soil.
If your soil pH is too acidic for them, it would explain why other plants are thriving.
Give them a small handful of lime around the stem.
This will not only see to any calcium deficiency, but will keep slugs/snails off as they hate lime.
 
Joined
Mar 2, 2021
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Country
New Zealand
Fertilise them.
Purple tones usually mean phosphorous deficiency ... but the slow growth/purple leaves often involves nitrogen deficiency too, if your oldest leaves are turning yellow/pink and falling off?

For quick access, get some general garden granular fertiliser, grind/soak to dissolve it in their next watering.
About a tablespoon per 10 litre bucket water. I have 6 young caulis in 5" pots that looked TERRIBLE purple and sad just 2 days ago and I watered them like this and pulled off a couple of the oldest sadder leaves too.
Now they're almost twice the size.

Be careful though, sometimes plants showing these symptoms are suffering root damage due to overwatering, so if that could be a possibility ??? You say you worried about a watering problem and reduced to twice weekly watering.

Depending on the soil, plants that have been overwatered may take weeks to need watering again. Because the roots are damaged they will drink very little water and nutrient.

Are your plants outdoors in the garden or in a poly tunnel? I'm not sure what your climate is like, but in mine there is no need to water outdoors except in the summer.

Your profile shows USA, I'm in the southern hemisphere but I'm pretty sure you're in late winter/early spring?
Even indoors plants use less water in cold temps, you might need to water less ...
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
27,983
Messages
265,516
Members
14,713
Latest member
infopacificwestinjury

Latest Threads

Top