SummaryPatterns of floral development, dry matter distribution and seed yield were examined in winter oilseed rape plants subjected to different pre‐floral growth environments. The duration of pre‐floral growth and plant size at flower initiation, measured in terms of total mainstem leaf number, were manipulated by varying the temperature between seedling emergence and flower initiation.Exposure of seedlings to low temperatures from cotyledon expansion onwards markedly reduced the duration of pre‐floral growth and the number of leaves on the mainstem. The subsequent development pattern of plants was largely dependent on the date of flower initiation and therefore vernalisation requirement. Indeed, the period of growth from flower initiation to maturity, considered on the basis of thermal time, was directly related to the duration of pre‐floral growth and mainstem leaf number. The thermal durations of the bud development phase and flowering period in plants exposed to different pre‐floral cold treatments but with a common date of flower initiation were similarly linked to these two parameters.Plants exposed to prolonged periods of low temperature treatment from cotyledon expansion onwards initiated fewer mainstem leaves during a relatively short pre‐floral growth phase and their yield potential was limited by a reduction in branch and flower numbers. Plants maintained at higher temperatures produced more mainstem leaves during an extended period of pre‐floral growth and supported a greater number of branches and flowers. However, this additional yield potential was not realised due to a reduction in seed numbers and mean seed weight. It appeared that seed yield of these plants was limited by increased competition between an excessive number of lower branches and flowers, a problem apparently created by excessive pre‐floral growth. Minimal competition for available assimilates between the limited number of branches of plants with a shorter pre‐floral growth phase and fewer mainstem leaves, resulted in lower levels of pod abortion, greater seed production and ultimately incr