[simonwatson]

Hi All,

This is my first year growing cauliflower. I was given some seed for Christmas of a purple variety and I've grown three. The first head is now about 6 inches across and nice and tight. The variety is CAULIFLOWER DI SICILIA VIOLETTO PURPLE. So, the big question, how long should I wait before harvesting? If it starts to bolt a bit, will it be quick or slow?

Thanks

Simon

[mumofstig]

I find that all brassicas bolt quickly, you have to keep an eye on them...........

[bravemurphy]

try not to let the sun get at the curd bend a leaf over it or tie the leaves loosely.

[Fairy Plotmother]

I harvested 2 yesterday. Lovely looking things. I thought I had planted cabbage!

[Snoop]

The other thing you want to avoid is having three that you need to eat pretty well all at once.

[Headgardener22]

The other thing you want to avoid is having three that you need to eat pretty well all at once.

Or 10 like I had .

However, I did find a recipe for "cauliflower fried rice" which tasted great. I know somebody who is on a starch free diet (no rice, potatoes, flour,...). They eat a lot of cauliflowers as mashed potato substitute, rice substitute, ...

[sumitra]

My cauliflower plant were great when the heads were about 2 inches across, so on advice I tied  some string around the leaves to block out the sun, but the heads just bolted and within a couple of days they were very stringy and were popping through the tied leaves.  WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?

[Snoop]

I'd be surprised if you needed to protect the head when it was just two inches across. It was probably a bit constricted. I do the same thing, but when the head is bigger and exposed to the sun.

[beesrus]

Outside of rocketing temperatures, if cauli heads are too small, and then bolt, I would suggest the ground doesn't have the right nutrients. Caulis aren't the easiest of brassicas to grow and are well fussy.

[3759allen]

i'm useless at growing cauliflowers, especially in summer, so can't really help.

i would say take one now, and hope the rest will not bolt before you can use it. they do bolt in a split second, i've not found that folding leaves over makes any odds. they just seem to like to be awkward.

[luke34]

these are clapton cauliflower .that i pulled up ten days a go.they are now in the freezer

[pigguns]

Those is damn fine cabbages sir! 

[Goosegirl]

Well luke43, for a newbie and your first post as well, you should be exceptionally proud of your achievements!  Looking forward to more posts and pics.