Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: chippy queen on June 19, 2009, 15:58:00

Title: Cauliflowers
Post by: chippy queen on June 19, 2009, 15:58:00
I am soooooo happy.  Just back from the lotty and have discovered that at least one of my 9 caulis have a curd.  The reason I am so happy is that this is my first year and a couple of the older people at the site said "you dont want to be planting cauliflowers, you will never get them to grow up here"   Mmmmmm cant wait to show them ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: davyw1 on June 19, 2009, 16:01:56
Why do some people adopt the attitude of if i can,t do it you can,t.

Good on yer Chippy and well done.

PS,... are you giving them a little drink of water every day.
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: cornykev on June 19, 2009, 16:54:53
Nice one Chippy.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: angle shades on June 19, 2009, 21:34:26
 :D good for you, i know how you feel/ shades x





Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: chippy queen on June 19, 2009, 21:55:27
Hi Davy
Yes I am giving them a little drink every day along with some soothing words (which seemed to have worked lol) One of the same people has now seen that I have planted some pumpkins and has said exactly the same - you wont grow them here!!! Here we go again (I hope) :D
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: non-stick on June 20, 2009, 08:25:59
I was given a tip my a relative many years ago for growing Caulies. He was a professional gardener and said an old boy had told him. He said that when planting out but an inch of rhubarb in the hole with the caulie. I thought "yeah right" but as I had got nothing the previous season thought why not. Had fabulous ones that year.

Couldn't test it long-term as things changed and option to grow veg disappearred for a while. Got my allotment about 20 months ago but haven't tried it the rhubarb trick yet. You can do it under the cover of darkness in your own back garden  ;) but in full view on the allotment. Might try it again though but some with and some without for comparison
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: davyw1 on June 20, 2009, 08:29:53
The rhubarb trick is to deter the cabbage root fly
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: boltonlad on June 20, 2009, 08:55:33
I know what this thread is about this is also my first full year.  I have found out people were saying oh he wont last.  My allotment is now clear from grasses and weeds.  The following is growing.

Marrow
Broad beans
Sprouts
Peas (2 sowings)
Potatoes
Cauliflower
Runner Beans
Brocolli
Purple sprouting brocolli
Stonehead Cabbage
Turnip
Second Hand 10' x 14' greenhouse with three types of tomatoe 3 cucumber plants and a black hamburgh vine.
Courgettes
Pumpkin
Sweetcorn
Garlic and variou herbs
Celery
Asparagus
Strawberry
4 different kinds of fruit bushes redc, blackc, goosegobs and raspberry.
savoy cabbage
Leeks
2 different lettuce left as tom thumb are now finished with

So the answer to them is up yours and am now showing them up.  Dont listen to any of the old guys on the allotments is the answer, think they are scared of you doing better than them.
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: davyw1 on June 20, 2009, 09:07:52
I have to disagree with this bit QUOTE[ Don't listen to any of the old guys on the allotments is the answer, think they are scared of you doing better than them.}
Don,t Tar them all with the same brush, some are a mind of information and will give you some of the best advice you can ever get from books, TV etc. Its only some old style gardeners who have never and won,t ever change to more modern ideas or move on to growing different more updated veg. Some that are so single minded in that they believe their methods are right and every one else,s is wrong regardless to the fact that the others results are better.
APART FROM THAT I AM AN OLD GARDENER LOL
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: shirlton on June 20, 2009, 09:43:04
I planted mine right at the top of the allotment cos they looked really scrawny. You should see em now. healthy as can be. Have another 6 waiting to go in.
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: hopalong on June 20, 2009, 10:22:13
Is it too late to germinate a few cauliflowers from seed? I've got loads of cabbages and brussels sprouts but forgot about the caulis.
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: saddad on June 20, 2009, 10:39:56
Not if you choose the right varieties... Caulis can be grown "all year round", and that's a fairly easy one to find... although the specifically Winter ones are probably a better bet. I've just done my Purple Cape which are an excellent over winter variety... if you don't mind that they are green on the plate...  :)
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: boltonlad on June 20, 2009, 11:10:28
Quote from: davyw1 on June 20, 2009, 09:07:52
I have to disagree with this bit QUOTE[ Don't listen to any of the old guys on the allotments is the answer, think they are scared of you doing better than them.}
Don,t Tar them all with the same brush, some are a mind of information and will give you some of the best advice you can ever get from books, TV etc. Its only some old style gardeners who have never and won,t ever change to more modern ideas or move on to growing different more updated veg. Some that are so single minded in that they believe their methods are right and every one else,s is wrong regardless to the fact that the others results are better.
APART FROM THAT I AM AN OLD GARDENER LOL

Sorry yep I do agree that some do have a lot of knowledge however am a bit tired of some of them sniping at new people and each other.  There are a few guys on the allotment I do listen to but they are far and few between. 
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: hopalong on June 20, 2009, 11:38:57
Quote from: saddad on June 20, 2009, 10:39:56
Not if you choose the right varieties... Caulis can be grown "all year round", and that's a fairly easy one to find... although the specifically Winter ones are probably a better bet. I've just done my Purple Cape which are an excellent over winter variety... if you don't mind that they are green on the plate...  :)

Thanks saddad.  Wife loves them and green is her favourite colour!  ;)
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: Deb P on June 20, 2009, 12:24:28
That reminds me....I have to sow some more late brassicas! ;D

And define 'old' gardener..........at your peril! ;D
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: davyw1 on June 20, 2009, 13:53:11
Quote from: Deb P on June 20, 2009, 12:24:28
That reminds me....I have to sow some more late brassicas! ;D

And define 'old' gardener..........at your peril! ;D

I can define wise gardener Deb.


He is the one that comes into your garden with an empty carrier bag.
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: davyw1 on June 20, 2009, 13:55:35
Quote from: hopalong on June 20, 2009, 10:22:13
Is it too late to germinate a few cauliflowers from seed? I've got loads of cabbages and brussels sprouts but forgot about the caulis.

Beauty,Cornel, Lateman and Aviso are about a 70 day cauli from seed to pulling.
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: chippy queen on June 25, 2009, 23:18:23
I am planning to cut (and eat) one curd for Sunday lunch.  Do i cut the whole plant down after I take the curd out. Just to let you all know I am leaving a couple to see how big they grow (just to show them) lol
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: saddad on June 25, 2009, 23:21:11
Yep... take it out, although like all brassicas if you cut across the stump it will produce tender new leaves that are good to eat  :)
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: 1066 on June 26, 2009, 08:24:09
Quote from: chippy queen on June 19, 2009, 21:55:27
Yes I am giving them a little drink every day along with some soothing words

Thanks for posting Chippy Queen, I wasn't sure how much water they needed, I tend to not bother watering the brassicas but was wondering if the caulis needed it.

So go tell those guys on your site you are now advising people on how to grow caulis......   ;)

1066
Title: Re: Cauliflowers
Post by: kt. on June 27, 2009, 14:17:44
Quote from: hopalong on June 20, 2009, 10:22:13
Is it too late to germinate a few cauliflowers from seed? I've got loads of cabbages and brussels sprouts but forgot about the caulis.

Candid Charm:  Sow Mar-Jun for harvest Jun-Oct
Deakin:             Sow April-May for harvest Oct-Nov
Snow March:     Sow late May-end of June for harvest March onwards.
Aalsmeer:          Sow June for harvest in May

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