[lisa80]

Hi all!!! i am so impressed with cauli i grew from seed 19p a packet from netto and although they were initially pecked at by pigeons they all have heads now.Question, how big do i let heads grow??? they are about the size of a tennis ball now and although i dont expect them to get as big as shop caulis i dont want them to go to waste.

[Aidy]

Keep an eye on them as soon as they look like they will blow, nip them off.

[lisa80]

sorry total newbie what do you mean by blow?

[DD.]

Curds start to open out, instead of being a tight head. Once you can see them without pushing the leaves back, they won't get much bigger. Keep a close eye on them, they can go over in a day or two.

[lisa80]

ok thanx that hasnt happened yet but have read you should bend leaves over the head to stop yellowing is that true? have just ordered some winter cauli seed so if all goes well with these shall give them a try.

[Aidy]

You are correct in you must cover them to stop them going yellow, just break one of the bigger leaves over the curd.

[lisa80]

thanx!!!!dont want all my hard work to go to waste!!!

[meterman]

Pick as soon as big enough for a meal each 1 will be slightly bigger than the last otherwise you may end up picking them all one sunday when they have all bolted and past their best and only having enough for 1 or 2 meals anyway.

[Jay Dubya]

Hi, if you don't want to break the plant you can just gather them and use an elastic band.