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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: AndrewB on August 23, 2005, 20:29:51

Title: Pink cauliflowers
Post by: AndrewB on August 23, 2005, 20:29:51
Anyone know why this has happened? it happened last year as well.
Title: Re: Pink cauliflowers
Post by: redimp on August 23, 2005, 20:34:30
We've just got pink cauliflower with our box scheme - we'd assumed it was varietal.
Title: Re: Pink cauliflowers
Post by: jennym on August 23, 2005, 21:05:20
I believe this is just a reaction to growing temperature - in colder temperatures some cauliflowers have a pinkish/purplish colour to the curd, also when exposed to light the curd can colour this way. Not all do it.
Title: Re: Pink cauliflowers
Post by: AndrewB on August 23, 2005, 21:43:10
Is that why you are supposed to bend the leaves over the curd?  I have done it but couldn't remember why, I must have read it somewhere.
Title: Re: Pink cauliflowers
Post by: jennym on August 23, 2005, 21:49:38
Most probably. However, I am speaking as an 'cauliflower expert' who only ever managed to grow 2 good cauliflowers when I forgot they were there, the weeds grew up around them and I discovered them when cutting weeds down.  ;)
Title: Re: Pink cauliflowers
Post by: john_miller on August 23, 2005, 22:50:55
Quote from: AndrewB on August 23, 2005, 21:43:10
Is that why you are supposed to bend the leaves over the curd? I have done it but couldn't remember why, I must have read it somewhere.
As jenny mentions pinking in cauliflower, which is excess production of the anthocyanin pigment, is caused by low temperatures. Bending leaves over the curd will help prevent the curd taking on an unattractive brown hue.
Title: Re: Pink cauliflowers
Post by: jennym on August 23, 2005, 22:56:40
Hi John, haven't seen you around for a while!