Cauliflower
- Botanical Name
- Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
- Height
- 1 to 2 feet
- Width
- 18 to 36 inches
- Light
- Full sun
- Soil
- Moist, well-drained, fertile
- Planting & Care
- Cauliflower is the most difficult of the cole crops to grow. Timing is critical. Heads will not develop in hot or dry weather.
- Too much sun, heat or nitrogen will result in deformed "ricey" heads
- Provide plants with consistent moisture and fertility. Shield plants from extreme cold, heat, drought or plant damage. Any one of these can arrest the development of the head.
- Sow seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the average last frost
- Provide direct light so that seedlings don't become leggy
- Transplant into garden when the soil temperature is at least 50° and the danger of frost has passed. Plants should have four or 5 true leaves.
- Space transplants 16 to 24 inches apart in rows 24 to 36 inches apart
- Never buy or plant stunted or leggy transplants that have been held too long
- Larger, older transplants are more likely to bolt when exposed to cool temperatures
- Because of the shallow root system of cauliflower, avoid even light cultivation
- Mulch soil around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and protect roots
- When the head is 2 to 3 inches in diameter, it's time blanch to protect the color and flavor of the head
- With a string or rubber band, secure the outer leaves together over the center of the plant to protect the head from sunburn
- With the proper growing conditions, the head develops quickly and can be harvested in 7 to 12 days after blanching or when the head grows to 6 to 8 inches in diameter
- Harvest the heads by cutting the main stem
- Problems
- Cabbage worms, flea beetles, ahpids, slugs, snails, clubroot, purple blotch, black rot, cabbage yellows
- Varieties
- Self-Blanche - leaves naturally curl over the head and usually doesn't require blanching
- Snowball Y Improved - another self-blanching variety, 6 inch head
- Andes - self-blanching
- Candid Charm - self-blanching, large head
- Serrano - self-blanching, 6 to 7 inch head
- Snow Crown - tolerant to heat and cold, resistant to yellows, All-America Selections winner
- Snow Grace - improved Snow Crown
- Snow King - 8 to 9 inch head, very early, heat tolerant
- White Corona - small 3 to 4 inch head, very early, ideal for compact gardens and short seasons
- Violet Queen Hybrid - purple head, self-blanching
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