Cauliflower masterclass

[Mrs Ava]

For all of those who successfully grow caulis, could you tell me (an others who fail) what it is you do, from start to finish.

For info, mine either button, or become monsters, all contorted and ugly, but still quite small monsters, and they always look grey and dirty, not the sort of thing I would willingly dish up to the kids for tea!

Many thanks!

[terrace max]

Ignored them.

I planted three cauli plants among my brocolli and calabrese and completely forgot about them. They got swamped with weeds and had zero attention. A lot of the brocolli bolted but 3 weeks ago I discovered 3 perfect heads of cauliflower.
A really nice suprise!

The soil was nothing special and they were shaded by the bigger plants nearby - perhaps they thrive on neglect?

[tim]

Doesn't that just confound the experts?? All the teaching suggests:
1. Well manured.
2. Fertiliser.
3. Solid ground.
4. No check in growth.
5  Regular watering.
6. Slightly alkaline soil.

So - the last time we grew them -

1. None.
2. BF&B on planting.
3. No.
4. None.
5. pH6.5
Sown early March in plugs.

I believe in planting as deep as possible to avoid wind-rock or natural toppling.
The small heads are side-shoots. (Shown before).

Compare this with the complete failure of Romanesco this year.

[plot51A]

Complete novice here - grew for the first time this year. Managed to get some - looked nothing like Tims needless to say!! - and were a very strange disgusting grey/pinky colour. Being very optimistic and not wanting to waste anything particularly wot I'd growed myself, tried steaming them. Result? Cooked cauli was white.  Just sneak them in so noone sees before cooking  ;D

[Roy Bham UK]

::) I'm still growing too many of everything ::) and caulis are included, I've planted some similar to Tim so will let you know the out come, I have many seedlings still to go in but I fear will bolt as there are too many of everything. :P

I must learn to be cruel and dump stuff if lottie neighbours can't take the over spill ;D

[tim]

Trouble is, some don't curd well, some get eaten & some just fall over. So you're glad to have a few spares?

[terrace max]

By the way, mine were Mexico F1. They weren't quite as good as Tim's...!

[jennym]

Terracemax - I had exactly the same experience a couple of years ago - having forgotten I had put in some cauliflower, the weeds grew high (also I think potatoes but I forget) and was surprised one day whilst wandering in the wilderness at the far edge of the plot to see a gleam of white and there wer 2 really big, white, perfect cauliflowers. I think the variety was called Snowball, and I remember it was a mild spring and I put them in end March/early April and it must have been July when I saw them.

[terrace max]

Snap!

Makes you wonder if, in fact, they like shade and competition...

[jennym]

Absolutely!

[daveandtara]

ok, so i've got 10 plug thingies  ??? coming. i'll put them in different places and give different levels of care and see what happens.  ??? ;D
but while we're on the subject, is there anything i absolutely should never do when growing caulis?
(clean answers only please! ;D)
Tara xx

[Mrs Ava]

So why do mine look dirty?  Slugs mayeb?  And if so, how do you stop slug damage to the curds?

[tim]

Forgot to try an answer to that one. Are they discoloured from birth - ie when their leaves are still covering the curd - or only when mature?

If the latter, it is either a natural thing, which can be ameliorated by covering the curd  - tying the leaves over, or a piece of thin, dark cloth - or it could be aphid or weevil damage, or even my pet hate - earwigs - rather than slugs. I've never seen slugs on mine.

[plot51A]

I remember you gave advice earlier in the year Tim about bending over leaves to keep the heads white - as mine then were. So tried it, only to find a slug enjoying the protection said leaf offered! Will try cloth next time.

[Marianne]

Tim - that cauliflower looks wonderful !  Hope it tasted nice too.  ;D :D

[tim]

Sorry. pw!!

[redimp]

Doesn't that just confound the experts?? All the teaching suggests:
1. Well manured.
2. Fertiliser.
3. Solid ground.
4. No check in growth.
5  Regular watering.
6. Slightly alkaline soil.

So - the last time we grew them -

1. None.
2. BF&B on planting.
3. No.
4. None.
5. pH6.5
Sown early March in plugs.

I believe in planting as deep as possible to avoid wind-rock or natural toppling.
The small heads are side-shoots. (Shown before).

Compare this with the complete failure of Romanesco this year.

Your caulis look fantastic Tim - can I come round and eat some -not grwoing them this year myself.

[diver]

I,ve had good caulies this year mainly cos the oldtimers kept an eye on them and me.....apparently the secret is to break some of the leaves over the curd as soon as it forms, this way it doesn't discolour...at least mine didn't ,water well and watch it soon you can eat it before it bolts

[Mrs Ava]

My caulis look perfect when small, but as they age, and I don't mean old, litterally over the next week or so, they start to deform, and discolour!  I shall try again and provide more protection for them, plant them deeper on well manured/composted ground and water them as much as I can under the lack of water circumstances.  Such a shame as they are a fave in this house and I object to having to buy them!  However, brocolli I seem to do okay with, and that is number one daughters fave so it is all swings and doo dars!

[tim]

If it's pest damage, Emma, you can see the damage. If not, then back to protection.

Nutrient deficiency normally shows pinkish.

Just found this.

http://www.actahort.org/books/247/247_65.htm