I am having trouble identifying what insect or virus has taken hold of my Brussel Sprouts.

The plant stems feel hollow and the leaves break off. They are in a bed that hasn't had any plants in it for two years. I was giving it a rest.

There is a link to a picture below

Thanks!
Kim

IMO your plant is displaying some of the classic symptoms of Yellows (Fusarium Wilt) and there are also other potential fungus issues at work. At this point of advanced disease the plants cannot be salvaged. Sorry.

Dave

I pulled them today and split apart the stems. A couple of observations.

1) Black specks inside the stems. Maybe frass? My son found a couple of cabbage worms on the seedlings a few days after we got them from the nursery.

2) Molted skin - Brown black inside the stem

Overall, they went quickly, so I think (and use that lightly based on my amateur status ) that there was a pest that helped a fungal issue take hold.

This was my third time in 5 years trying to grow Brussel Sprouts. One year the soil wasn't right, One year the soil was good but I planted out too soon and we had a blazing hot summer (bitter plants with loose heads), now this year. :-(

Thanks for your input!