Jolly Cauliflowers not!

[Betty123]

This is my First time growing cauliflowers I’ve nurtured them and kept them inside a pest free net.
But we are mid August and I still have nothing in the middle of them giant plants with huge leaves but nothing in the middle.....
Is it too early and they still have time to grow well as the crazy weather this year stop them from growing a middle?
Thank you very much for anyone who can give me some advice

[greenishfing]

Have you any idea what variety they are? Whereas some cauliflowers should be ready now some are ready in the Autumn, some in Winter and some not until next May. It depends on the variety.
When you say there is nothing in the middle is the middle opened out? If it is you may well not get a flower.

[bario1]

Be patient... they may have decided to wait till next Spring

[Betty123]

They are Romanesco and a good white one can’t remember the name planted in May.
There is just a small clutch on leaves in the middle with nothing inside mayb 3 leaves?

[greenishfing]

I believe Romanesco are an Autumn cauliflower so you may have to wait a while yet. Any chance of a picture?

[Mark_Riga]

Saw some today in a shop £2.50 each and not available in many shops now, Europe wide shortage, so hope they come good for you.

[Vegi potager]

I've tried caulis for 4 years now, never had success. Have decided that they are for advanced practitioners of the art of GYO. I will be using the space for something more productive I think. (maybe try again in a few years!)

[greenishfing]

I've tried caulis for 4 years now, never had success. Have decided that they are for advanced practitioners of the art of GYO. I will be using the space for something more productive I think. (maybe try again in a few years!)

I tried for several years with "All the year round". I couldn't grow them. Then I tried 3 different varieties one year and got my husband to march around them in his size 11s to firm them in. Watered them well. Inundated with caulis.Never had a problem since. Never tried "All the year round" again either.

[bikermike]

How do you tell when to give up? I have the same vigorous outsides but no middle..

[greenishfing]

If they look healthy leave them be. If they are Romanesco they produce a heart in late Autumn. We are barely into Autumn.
I've got a couple of varieties of cauliflower growing, no sign of "flowers" yet. I'm hoping they come when everything else has stopped (and preferably not all the same week).

[Vince G]

I'm usually quite lucky with Romanescos and brassicas generally, but normal white caulis are hard I think. Had 2 good years since I got the lottie 7 years ago. Heavy mucking might be the answer maybe, I'll try that next year!