[Sca-cooks] Brussels sprouts was Re: Sca-cooks Digest, Vol 29, Issue 12

[Cindy Renfrow]

I was wondering when you'd say that, Bear.  ;-)

He's describing replanting the stem once the main head/leaves have been 
harvested in order to coax the axillary buds of B. oleracea to grow. 
And yes, I think his experiment will work, though I haven't tried it. I 
think it requires a mild climate.
http://food.oregonstate.edu/faq/uffva/brussels2.html says: "Dalechamp, 
1587, described how early cabbage, after the true head is removed, will 
frequently develop small cabbages in the leaf axils and gave this form 
the name B. capitata polycephalos."

> >or is it a sprout of another variant that can be prepared as brussels 
> sprouts are?

It is a sprout of whatever variety of B. oleracea he was using that can 
be prepared in the same manner as brussels sprouts, yes.

 >Brussels sprouts are believed to be a mutation of B. oleracea capitata 
L. sabuda (savoy cabbage) and are true breeding,  <snip>

I know I'm going to get pounced on here, but… Could not one also say 
that the mutant was originally selected merely for its growth habit of 
producing many more of the desirable sprouts per stalk than the mother 
plant, but that the mutation was otherwise identical to the mother? The 
only difference being their growth habit, not their flavor?

Cindy


On Oct 10, 2005, at 10:38 AM, Terry Decker wrote: