[domw001]

Can anyone advise on growing cauliflowers? This is the first year in ages I have acutally managed to get them into the ground but they certainly dont look like the ones I buy in Tescos (see pic).

Now I do know they they can be a bit precious when growing but can anyone tell why this has happened (too much heat? too little water? not enough niutrients? Too firm/lose soil?).

My calabrese have been fine, but they're less fussy than caulis.

Help please

[Snoop]

I sometimes get this: small heads that I leave to develop a bit longer but never grow. So I'd be interested in what people have to say too.

It's hard to judge size in photos like this. Out of interest, how big is it across?

[devonbarmygardener]

They're just bloomin' fussy!

That's what mine have always looked like.
You can use the leaves to protect the developing curds from rain damage as I've been led to believe that, that can cause this 'flowering', not sure. But they are very fragile plants I find.
But then others have no problems growing them 

Sorry - I'm not very helpful

[beesrus]

It's all to do with the nutrient balance in the soil. Commercial growers get exact soil print outs and prep/feed/spray accordingly to get the modern supermarket cauli.  A friend of mine has just had to amend his newly tended field of kale with boron, after the seedlings started to go pear shaped. None of us small growers can afford to get that sort of testing.
Some of us strike it lucky with the soil we inherit, others take a few years of diligent research and prep to get there. Broccoli is so much easier and tasty than cauli. 

[devonbarmygardener]

I don't have a problem with any other brassica - just caulis - they must be VERY fussy!!

[RJR_38]

Is it a romanesco cauli as it's shape would suggest it is...

[ghost61]

Definitely a Romanesco and it has bolted.  They do tend to do this whilst they are small, so best to pick them then.

[Markw]

I have never had any luck with caulis , but the person on the plot next to mine just sticks them in the ground and always has a good crop. 

[Robster]

I had one good caulk several years ago in my garden where I'd basically neglected everything and one day found it sitting there pretty and neat and white.  Since then I've diligently tried growing in my allotment.  All the things you read about (feeding firming the ground etc etc).  I've never had another good one.  In fact the one in your photo would be considered a success for me and I'd make it into cauliflower bhajis