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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: posie on October 31, 2008, 21:31:00

Title: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: posie on October 31, 2008, 21:31:00
Went into Morrisons the other day and saw a rather fab brocolli/cauli - can't remember which!  It basically was pink/purple in colour but definitely wasn't purple sprouting.  I haven't found any seeds which resemble the plant at all.  Anyone have any ideas as I'd love to grow it.  I think it was just labelled as purple calabrese.
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: star on October 31, 2008, 21:50:37
I have just searched as well, no luck either Im afraid.

I have got Late purple sprouting from T&M if they will help........not pinkish though ;)
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: amberleaf on November 01, 2008, 07:28:15
They will be around in the shops in Spring. You will find it easy to grow.

I can do it
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: saddad on November 01, 2008, 08:44:59
Colour can be subjective but there is an old Cauli variety called Purple Cape which is still in the catalogues... I have an image somewhere but Photobucket is messing me about this morning... it is in season now. Always dark purple for me...  ???
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: posie on November 01, 2008, 09:08:50
Saddad you're a genius! That's the one, what a fab colour, I'll be getting some of them me thinks! Thank you  ;D

And I've just found an even brighter one that's an F1 Hybrid cauli/brocolli called Violet Queen  :)

Oooo and an orange one!
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: gwynleg on November 01, 2008, 09:34:20
i've been growing a purple cauli but lost the details - its really florid purple. I make a cauliflower cheese and it turns the sauce purple - this is actually a problem as the other half is really put off by this!
I like the taste a lot, and it has grown really well but I dont think I will grow again because of the dying effect on everything you cook with it.
Gwynneth
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: posie on November 01, 2008, 09:36:36
Wow my kids would love that! I just want some colour on the lottie next year and I like strange looking things lol
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: Paulines7 on November 01, 2008, 10:47:55
I bought a purple cauli from the market a few weeks back but didn't think it tasted as good as the white ones. 
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: calendula on November 01, 2008, 12:13:48
Quote from: posie on November 01, 2008, 09:36:36
Wow my kids would love that! I just want some colour on the lottie next year and I like strange looking things lol

sorry to sidetrack but if your kids love a bit of fun colour in their food try them on beetroot, apple and spud mash, ridiculous colour, fab tasting, great with sausages and they get to eat really good vegetables/fruit all at once  ;D
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: posie on November 01, 2008, 12:16:43
Ooo that sounds like a good idea.  Thanks Calendula.  I might go and buy a purple cauli today just to see if I like it.
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: RSJK on November 01, 2008, 15:32:33
there is one or two different colours in cauliflower you can get

F1 celio ( green )
F1 Trevi ( green )
F1 Graffiti ( purple )
F1 Sunset ( orange )                       
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: saddad on November 01, 2008, 16:58:29
We had to warn Nursery that if he (Son) coloured in things wrong ask, as he might be right... "Eat your Purples"!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: tim on November 01, 2008, 17:48:06
Three choices? Not this year!
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: saddad on November 03, 2008, 07:37:50
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/Plot52/Vegfeb07.jpg)

Here's the purple cape jan/feb...
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: PurpleHeather on November 03, 2008, 07:58:17
There are varieties of coloured cabbages and gourds too which are for decoration. Purple carrots and peas too.

I think that they look great in the garden but have to admit that I do not find them attractive on the plate.

Somehow, I like my veg to look like veg so choose white cauliflower and beans to be green not yellow.

Wouldn't do for us all to be the same would it?
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: realfood on November 03, 2008, 19:04:51
Purple Cape is very useful as it is the earliest Cauliflower for me in Glasgow in March/April and helps to fill the "hungry gap". It is an heirloom variety, and I suspect that it is closely related to Purple Sprouting Broccoli.
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: posie on November 03, 2008, 21:32:29
Thanks for all the info and advice.  I definitely want to give this a try and some purple beans if I can find them. Might actually get my boys up to 5 a day that way lol  ;D
Title: Re: Purple brocolli (not sprouting)
Post by: saddad on November 03, 2008, 23:25:38
Purple Cape is from @1850 and the Cape is South Africa....
:)