[Rhys]

I had a go at growing caulies as a fellow gardener gave me some a while ago. So, I planted them, cloched them and fed them.. A couple got to about 4 inches across and then they started to bolt. I ended up digging the lot up and we had them for dinner a few days later (they were really nice). How do you stop the * from bolting?
I used some fertiliser to begin with, but just watered them when they got bigger.


A workmate had a plot a few away from mine, and he always had the same problem, they'd just get going then they'd bolt.


I'm not giving up, just want to be prepared for next time.


Cheers

[Salmo]

It's because that's what caulis do. Sometime you can get it right and then you have too many. Too dry/cold/wet, who knows?

All I can say is, as soon as there is a curd formed cut whatever size.

[Goosegirl]

Although I haven't grown any for a year or two, I find them and calabrese don't bolt the same when I plant them in part shade.

[John]

Cauliflowers are greedy feeders - if they don't have enough food they bolt. If they don't have enough water.. they bolt and if the wind rocks them, breaking the root hairs.. they bolt.

Feed well, water well, keep the wind off and you should be OK... until the cabbage white butterfly comes

[Rhys]

Right, next time I'll plant them with a windbreak. They were fed with Fisons Solinure (doubt anyone will find it lol) and watered. I thought maybe the heavy recent rainfalls might've made them bolt.



I was given them anyway as seedlings so no real loss. Had a nice dinner though 


Maybe my winter cabbage will fair better (got some seedlings on the kitchen windowsill coming on, and some turnips.)