[oldcow]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I've never grown them before... I noticed yesterday that the violet cauliflower I sowed in the summer has produced a tiny head. I thought the plant would stay fairly dormant during the winter and would produce a head in the spring, but now I'm wondering if the fact that it's already started to produce a head means it's just going to go wrong with all the cold weather ahead... Any advice?

[Aidy]

No it dont work like that I am afraid, they have their own little clock that says, I am a summer veg so when the temps drop I need to produce my flower head which in turn turns to seed head etc in time before it gets so cold I die, kind of.
Graffiti, which I believe is the one you refer too is realy a summer cauli, sown in spring for july/ august harvest. You will need to grow and winter hardy version if you want them thoughout the winter.

[oldcow]

I checked the info about this variety, this is an autumn variety (Sicilia Violetta), to sow between April and June and should be ready between September and December. I sowed it in June . I guess it just grew too slowly...

[Aidy]

Cauli's are renowed to break hearts by their growing nature. 

[oldcow]

 

[Aidy]

It has been a strange end to the summer, Autumn has been a little wierd too, perhaps don't give up and give them a go next year.
Maybe have a go at Graffiti, I have excellent results with it, crops mid summer. Here is one I grew earlier....

[oldcow]

What a beauty! I'll leave the cauli where it is, we'll see what happens; at this time of the year, I don't have anything better to put there....