[gorymorph]

I went down the allotment last weekend and noticed that most of the winter cauli,s that are visible have gone a brown biscuit colour. I have a feeling its because of the largeamount of rain wevehad overthe last month. is there anything i an do to save anymore that come through over the next few months. The cauli,s arestill solid they hav'nt gone soft or anything

[DD.]

I'd have thought more likely the recent cold.

What size are the curds?
What variety are they?
When did you last see them and could you see the curds then?
Whereabouts are you?

[gorymorph]

The size,s are about as big as golf balls or bigger up to the size of tennis balls.
Cant remember the variety would have to search out the rest of the packet of seeds.
Last time i saw them was approx 1 week ago. Before thecold snap.
My location is Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

[DD.]

I still suspect the cold.
Were the curds visible last week?

[DD.]

Found this from nearly a year ago:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=28633.0

[gorymorph]

yes i could see the curd's, maybe i should have folded the leaves over. I will have to go down and remove the brown ones. What can i do about any that show from now

[DD.]

As soon as they show, have them off, if you can actually see the curds, they won't get much bigger.

[gorymorph]

so how can i get cauli,s like big as  in small football size

[DD.]

There's no simple solution - the answer lies in the soil!

As with all brassicas they like well manured, firm soil. If, like me, you have club root, it's even more difficult.

[gorymorph]

many thank, merry Christmas

[DavidT]

There's no simple solution - the answer lies in the soil!

As with all brassicas they like well manured, firm soil. If, like me, you have club root, it's even more difficult.

Can I amend that? They prefer soil which was manured for a previous crop. You don`t manure for brassicas. They need the soil liming. Which helps to prevent clubroot. Another tip to prevent this disease is to make a paste of 50% soil and 50% lime, dip the roots of the plants in this and then put in the ground.

[Jonajo]

at least you have some curd! lol. My winter cauli (Alpen) are just greenery...no sign of curd forming yet. But they've not died off yet which is something so many in the new year....I live in hope