Family: Brassicaceae
Common name: Broccoli, Chinese broccoli, Sprouting broccoli
Broccoli is a widely cultivated popular vegetable eaten raw, steamed, boiled, fried, or barbecued. They are cultivars of Brassica Oleraceae or wild cabbage along with other popular vegetables like Cauliflower, Cabbage, Kale, Kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, etc.
Plant Characteristics
Broccoli plants have a short, thick, green stem that grows to a height of 30-50 cm terminating in a flowerhead, which is the edible part.
This stem, though it is slightly tougher in texture than the flowerhead, is also edible and called the ‘Broccoli stalk’. If harvested early, while the flowerhead is tender, these stalks are likely to be softer, milder, and sweeter.
Leaves of the Broccoli are dark bluish-green, broad and lobed. Lobes are more prominent towards the base of the leaves, with a rounded tip and wavy margins.
They have a thick petiole, the stalk that connects the leaves to the stem. Broccoli leaves are 20-30 cm long, and have a shiny, waxy coating that helps prevent water loss.
Broccoli plants are grown for their flowerheads which are made up of hundreds of flower buds tightly packed together in large clusters. These flowerheads or Broccoli should be harvested in 3-4 weeks, after which the buds bloom into yellow flowers.
The flowerheads can grow up to 25 cm in diameter before harvesting. The younger the Broccoli is, the more tender and sweeter they are likely to be.
The plants belong to the family of Cruciferous plants, so called because of the cross-like shape of the flowers, which are bright yellow.
Once the flowers bloom, the flowerheads are not usable since they become fibrous and bitter. At this stage, it is better to let the plant produce seeds, which can be harvested and used for the next batch of Broccoli.
Once the flowerhead is harvested, the center stems can produce a couple of smaller flowerheads to the sides.
Broccoli flowers produce fruits that are elongated, and pod-like, about 5 cm long. Each fruit contains numerous small, rounded seeds that are initially green, maturing into dark brown or black color.
Most Broccoli flowerheads are harvested before the flowers are produced, since tender flowerheads have more commercial value.
They are very closely related to Cabbage or Brassica oleracea var. capitata, Cauliflower or Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, and Kohlrabi or Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes.
Gardening Tips
Broccoli plants need good sunlight and cool, temperate weather to grow and thrive. The soil should be rich in nutrients and well-draining, since these plants grow and produce flowerheads very quickly.
They can be grown in spring, summer, and fall in temperate countries, but only in winter in tropical countries.
Watering should be done regularly, especially when the plants are smaller. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to enable good-sized flowerheads. It is important to space the broccoli plants 30-45 cm apart, so that each plant has space to grow.
They can be grown in flowerbeds or in pots, one plant per pot. While growing them in flowerbeds in soil, watch out for snails or worms that can feast on the leaves, destroying them overnight. It is good to sprinkle some diatomaceous earth in the soil to prevent snails and slugs.
Since Broccoli plants are so close to the soil, they are susceptible to pests and common diseases like mildew and fungal infections. Treat with organic pesticides when needed, and also practice crop rotation to prevent regular pests from settling in.
Uses of Broccoli
Broccoli is rich in Vitamins C and K, and also micronutrients like potassium, magnesium, iron, and calcium. They are rich in fiber, helping in digestion and gut health. They can help prevent osteoporosis and improve bone health, since they are rich in Vitamin K.
Broccoli can be eaten raw in salads, and also steamed, boiled, baked, fried, braised, or grilled in a variety of dishes.
They are used to make pasta, soup, stir-fries, and wholesome meat dishes. It is one of the most widely consumed vegetables because of its taste, versatility, and nutrients.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds.
Once the plants are allowed to stay in the soil after they flower, these plants produce seedpods containing numerous seeds. These seeds can be collected, dried, and soaked in water for a day before sowing in rich, well-drained soil. Small plants that are 5-10 cm tall can be transplanted into independent pots, or on flowerbeds.
Photographed at: Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah
