Cole Crops

Broccoli brown bead

Identification tips: Flower buds of broccoli turn brown as heads mature. Usually associated with warm temperatures.

Broccoli head rot

Identification tips: Look for water-soaked or greasy discoloration of unopened flowers that later turn brown or black. Bacterial infections will cause tissue to become soft and have a bad odor. Head rot is favored by cool temperatures and prolonged periods of moisture.

Calcium deficiency in cauliflower

Identification tips: Look for hooking of young leaves and collapse of tissues. Inner wrapper leaves enclosing the cauliflower head turn tan or brown. This condition, also called tipburn, is favored by warm temperatures, high moisture, and high fertilization.

Cracked stem

Identification tips: The stems of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower can be hollow and are sometimes discolored. Cracked and corky stems, petioles and midribs develop, most likely the result of a boron deficiency.

Hollow stem

Identification tip: Occurs during very rapid growth in cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli. Interior tissue of stem is collapsed or hollow. Usually, the head or stem must be cut to see damage.

Systemic downy mildew

Identification tip: Black streaks and discolored patches form in the stems and florets of broccoli and cauliflower. Cut open the plant to examine.

White Stem (broccoli)

Identification tips: Toxins secreted by whitefly feeding early in the season cause bleaching or whitening in stems and leaf petioles.