Romanesco (sp??) cauli

[Mrs Ava]

Now you know how I fail time and time again to get caulis to grow properly....well, whenever I grow the sprial romanesco types, they act more like sprouting broc with lots of little heads - which is fine - BUT - I have one!  Yes, there is a proper one on the plot, about the size of a tea plate - you know, bigger than a saucer, smaller than a dinner plate.  It is firm and clean and looks amazing.  My question is, with 2 weeks to this very day until Christmas, will it keep on the plant or will it go over and would be better picked ASAP and scoffed?  I am really hoping that because it is so cool, growth will have slowed, and Saturday/Sunday week, I will be able to go cut it.  What are your thoughts? :)

[Mrs Ava]

[supersprout]

First romanesco this year too EJ, it 'went over' extremely slowly - I'd cross me fingers and just check every day, you might be lucky! :)

[sarah]

when i tried romanesco cauli a couple of years ago they did the same thing, i.e sprouted, like yours except for one which came out later in the season and (again, like yours) produced a good head.  i scoffed it quick. it was a thing of beauty. i wonder if there is a lesson here that they dont like it too hot? i might try again next year and plant out a bit later.  or maybe in a slightly shadey spot.  dont know if yours will last till crimbo though.  if its that size i would be tempted to eat it now and enjoy its delicate yummyness instead of mixing with all the other yumminess of crimbo dinner where it may get lost.  :)

[saddad]

Never had any success with Romanesco, but grow Purple Cape Cauli which I find very reliable!
;D

[jennym]

Never had success here with Romanesco - I'd eat it while you can!

[tim]

Strangely, Romaneso were our best cauli for years. And certainly the nicest.

But at the time ours finished, over a month ago, we picked them smaller than bigger. In the 'growing season' they very quickly become ' blousy'.

Remember?

[cornykev]

:) They still look to good to eat. :P :P :P :P ;D ;D ;D

[ruud]

E.j i have grown romanesco as well and they always turned to be pick ripe at this time of year.It has a long growing period.So two weeks more i dont know only advice i can give is watch it carefully.Something else we are now talking about cauliflowers.I want to ask anyone who has the same expierince with cauliflowers some of mine were heartless,the growing tip of the cauliflowerplant was gone.Some produce than some sideshouts who grow into little cauliflowers and some were rotten further and boy that is smelly stuff.

[tim]

So when did you'all plant, to get harvest now??

[Mrs Ava]

I have no idea Tim!  :-\  Useless with dates and things.  Better luck next year, the old man has brought me a gardening journal to keep notes in of what I do when!