Allotments 4 All

Hi there

this my first year on my allotment so its trial n error 

I have no photo or this but i was wondering if anyone can tell me why was my cauli all spaced out and small compared to those seen in shops?

liza x

It sounds like it was left in the ground too long once the head formed.  It seems to have "blown".  Once most caulis show their full head they usually have to be harvested within 3 weeks or so.  If not they will blow and go to seed.  They can be frozen as not many stand well once the heads are fully formed.  Small cauli heads are usually caused by irregular watering throughout its growth.

It is the natural thing to leave a plant to 'grow' but cabbages and cauliflowers once they get to a certain stage do burst out of that rounded form what ever size they get to.

Those wonderful uniform sized vegetables we see in the shops are a set standard. Some EEC ruling means that decent vegetables are thrown away, used for pig food or what ever because they are too big too small or wonky shaped.

When you grow your own you eat the lot. Part of the fun of it.

right i see now here was me waiting for the cauli to grow so there would be enough to eat for the 4 of us then it blew i guess.

These picture might be a guide;

Twisting leaves indicate that the head is about to form;



Head forming;



Head developing;



Ready for harvesting;

2 years and I still haven't had a cauliflower that remotely resembles those photos >:(  ;)

I have never grown a decent cauliflower.   Always believed it was the soil.  Have different soil at the allotment which is only half mile from garden.  So hope to do better there. 

My PSB is puny as well.  I tend to grown lots of plants to get a few small sprouts.  And talking of sprouts a total lack of success there too.  But at allotment things are looking much better.  Cabbages bulking up nicely.

QuoteAlways believed it was the soil.

And you would be right!!

I always remember Arthur Billet's catch phrase;

Quote from: Tee Gee on May 13, 2009, 15:50:54
These picture might be a guide;

Twisting leaves indicate that the head is about to form;



Head forming;



Head developing;



Ready for harvesting;

mine were tiny compared to these to thats why i let them blow i think i was waiting for them to get bigger how do ya know when to stop waiting and get eating

Quotehow do ya know when to stop waiting and get eating

When the individual florets start parting company!

Quote from: lizagrowbag on May 13, 2009, 12:42:46
right i see now here was me waiting for the cauli to grow so there would be enough to eat for the 4 of us then it blew i guess.

That is when you pick a few of what you have and serve mixed seasonal vegetables!