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Yellowing leaves on broccoli & cauliflower #325904

Asked May 27, 2016, 8:22 PM EDT

Hi- my husband and I have a grow box on our Chicago rooftop deck, and in the last few days noticed that our broccoli and cauliflower leaves have started to dry out and turn yellow. Is this due to too much sun? Or too much water? We have some significant growth, and don't want to lose our plants. Thanks for your help! Ps - I'm a 2003 grad of the U-Twin Cities!

Cook County Illinois

Expert Response

These are symptoms of scorching, which are caused by a lack of sap reaching the ends/tips of the leaves.  This can be caused by several things: drought stress, heat stress, too much water (which kills some of the roots and therefore prevents the plant from taking up water), and over-fertilizing.

Are there drainage holes in that planter?  If not, then the plants are probably drowning. 

Broccoli and similar plants are cool-season crops, and a sudden spike in heat could over-stress the plants.  You might also want to review your fertilizer schedule, to be sure you have not been overdoing it.

I would probably recommend harvesting the heads that are there, because you probably don't have too much longer before they start to bloom and become of poor quality.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 31, 2016, 3:26 PM EDT

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