Plant guide:ðŸĨĶ Broccoli
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Growth

Splitting or Cracking Broccoli Heads

Commonly affects: Brassica oleracea var. italica (Broccoli)

The tightly-packed head develops cracks or splits, sometimes exposing the florets beneath, typically after a growth spurt.

Potential Causes

  1. 1Rapid growth following heavy rain or watering after a dry spell
  2. 2Delayed harvest allowing the head to overmature and expand past its structural limit
  3. 3Inconsistent watering causing uneven growth spurts

Solution Steps

  1. 1Harvest promptly once heads reach full size and tightness rather than delaying
  2. 2Water consistently to avoid the dry-then-flood cycles that trigger rapid, uneven growth
  3. 3Mulch to help buffer soil moisture swings

Prevention Tip

Prompt harvesting at peak tightness is the best defence against splitting — heads only become more vulnerable the longer they're left.

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