[Annie]

How do I get the cauliflower curd to get bigger but not sprout?There are some small curds,about large orange size which are nice and closed,all earlier larger looking curds have on cutting looked like sprouting brocolli but were cunningly hidden by the leaves.Have tried to use these in stir fries but the stems are a tad chewey,so any sugestions on how to cook if all goes horribly wrong.

[Oliver]

How do I get the cauliflower curd to get bigger but not sprout?

I really don't know - would love to find out. Cauliflowers are one of the most difficult things to grow! I think they need really good soil - lots of grub and lots of water. Perhaps Eristic can help! Hers are about as big as a marble!!!

[GrannieAnnie]

Once the curds are ready, I think that's it.  You eat them small or not at all.  I had 4 reasonable sized ones, but the others are tennis ball sized.  If you leave them they will go to seed or start to separate and/or go brown. Like 2 of mine did.

[Sadgit]

I left mine as they were small, but now I have an even bigger compost heap. 1st and last time I grow caulli.

[Annie]

Reasuring to know I am not alone,but I do hate to be beaten by a vegetable! :evil:

[Eristic]

Cauliflowers are one of the more tricky crops to grow and there are a number of things to go wrong. Soil chemistry is important as it is for all brassicas and they also require fertile soil and lots of water. Once a curd starts to form, there is nothing much that can be done to improve its size. Small plant- small head.

The exceptionally hot weather in June and July must also have had an impact on the crops, and if these temperatures become more normal, we may have to re-think what varieties we grow.

[Oliver]

Cauliflowers  ...  Small plant- small head.

Thanks for that. Keeping an eye on hers - they are a small variety - IDOL, so when they get a bit bigger, will eat them!