[Tattyanne456]

Hi, I have been growing veg on my allotment for about 4 years now. I am usually pretty pleased with the results, but not where cauliflowers are concerned! They either go a funny colour despite me folding the leaves over to protect the curds, or start to 'branch' while still quite small. What am I doing wrong?

[Cazzy]

I'm glad you asked coz I had problems too.

I grew them last year for the first time, one of my plot neighbours gave me the seedlings so I don't know what type they were.  They started to grow small heads but I didn't know about folding the leaves over them, they turned green then grew into yellow flowers 

[nobby]

allways grow caulies in the cool shade
as soon as they get too hot or dry they bolt
best to plant them behind the beans and cover with the thickest netting you have
that way they will stay nice and tight and white  

[Growbag]

I am sure that others with more experience than I will come along with more advice but I find that cauliflowers are one of the more tricky vegetables to get right.   They can't be planted too close together, they need to be grown on a suitable amount of fertilizer as they are greedy feeders, they need to be regularly watered and they need to grow in firm soil (so they tend not to do well in deep beds).   Heel the ground around them firmly so that they cannot move about in a wind.  If they don't get these minimum requirements then they are likely to bolt, the first signs of which are loose curds.  Some varieties keep their closed curds longer than others but really once your curds have formed a head they should be cut. 

[Tattyanne456]

I seem to remember in the deep recesses of my brain being told something about epsom salts for cauliflowers. Anyone shed any loght on that one?

[sharky]

I've got a tray of cauli seedlings but I may give them a miss - they sound difficult to grow.

[MoreWhisky]

I've got a tray of cauli seedlings but I may give them a miss - they sound difficult to grow.

Im the same sharky but im going to give em a go as i have a cauli cheese recipe to die for .

[richyrich7]

I seem to remember in the deep recesses of my brain being told something about epsom salts for cauliflowers. Anyone shed any loght on that one?

provides extra magnesium I believe. Which is a very important element for plants

[Bombers]

Just sown my 'latemans' for an August harvest.. They do not like full sun, or  exposed site. Mine are usually crammed behind a bean frame, or next to some parsnips or something to protect them. They grow happily in my raised beds at home or at the lottie. After the Cow poo, they might get a couple of handfulls of Chicken poo pellets. Oh, and don't let them dry out. then as the curds are forming, tie up the outer leaves (with some twine) to keep 'em nice 'n clean. - But you'll still get loads of slugs in them whatever you do!



-- Seeing as DD can show us his peas!

[Tattyanne456]

Thankyou for all your comments, I'll bear them in mind. I think I might try some between my rows of asparagus, that will keep them shaded, and that bed has had a good dumping of manure.

[sharky]

Nice one.   

[DD.]

-- Seeing as DD can show us his peas!

Don't forget me parsnip as well!

[MoreWhisky]

Nice Cauli  

[Bombers]

-- Seeing as DD can show us his peas!

Don't forget me parsnip as well!

Sorry, and his Parsnip!    (How could I forget  )

[DD.]

Sadly I can't grow caulis because of club root, so I'm a bit envious. I'm trying "Clapton" this year which is supposed to have the highest club root resistance ever.