NINE STAR PERENNIAL

[billw]

I grow it every year. Comes in about the same time as other sprouting broccolis, but with a taste and appearance more like cauliflower. I grow it more as an annual, since production is better that way. I often leave some in the ground for a second spring, intending to get a seed crop, and then eat the new heads anyway.

This year, I am being disciplined and letting four go to flower for a seed crop. I thought that I had lost them and went to look for new seed to buy, since I was out. I was surprised that I couldn't find a US-based supplier this year. Anyway, four plants ought to produce enough seed for many more years, with plenty to spare.

Does it overwinter well in deep-freeze climates? I figured it was pretty much a maritime climate crop, but I've never tried it anyplace else.

[richardw]

Ive got one nine star growing at the moment but man its been munted by the white butterfly though,first time growing it so i dont know how it will do here

[steev]

I'll look see whether I have seed of perpetual spinach; in any event, I have three plants growing happily from last year, so if I haven't seed, I will have.

[mountaintopgarden]

I grew it last year (not from seeds from this thread, I managed to get a Thomas Etty order) and it didn't produce any broccoli for me. I haven't checked yet to see how it survived the winter. I'm starting more this year to try again with an earlier planting. i forget when I started them last year.

[billw]

It is a sprouting broccoli, so if you planted it last year, you should be getting flowers this spring.

[billw]

By the way, there are other varieties of white sprouting broccoli and, like kale, a small percentage of almost any variety will go perennial in the right climate. I have had both White Star and White Eye last 3-4 years - not many of them, but once you have one, you can take cuttings. White Star is a lot easier to find than Nine Star.

Frankly, I'm not sure that the yields after the second year are really worthwhile with any of the white sprouting broccolis, but I've read that some people have much better results than I do.

[raymondo]

Apr 24, 2013 13:33:04 GMT -5 billw said:

By the way, there are other varieties of white sprouting broccoli and, like kale, a small percentage of almost any variety will go perennial in the right climate....

I've had brassicas last a few years, but they get too unwieldy and I end up chopping them out. I currently have a kale/cabbage cross that is back after setting seed. I'll let it go for now as it's producing plenty of edible greens but it's already big and another year would see it too big I think.

[ottawagardener]

From a deep freeze climate: no, doesn't overwinter well but I should try again.

[bunkie]

I never received any seed from michel.