Melinda Myers

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