I Think I've Messed Up Me Cauli's!

[Helgalush]

This is the first year I've had a go at brassicas. I think me and cauliflowers don't get on.

I think I've not done things properly, as there is a lot of foliage but still no sign of a curd. I can't tell you how long they have been planted for...several months though...and the leaves are massive and still no curd.

The variety is candid charm. As brassicas were new to me, and I had a bit of a "gun-ho" attitude to it, I didnt realise until about 2 months ago that they needed feeding. I've been feeding them weekly since though.

Do you think that they will produce a curd or do you think they've just put all the energy in to growing leaves?

I was mainly trying to grow caulis for my pet rabbits (well us to have the florets, them to have the leaves) - will the leaves be ok for them to eat?

All is not lost as my red cabbage is doing very well, its just the cauli's....

[rustylady]

Any pictures Helga?

[bearded bloke]

Dont panic you are only 8 weeks in,that variety take 20-26 weeks from sowing to maturity

[Florence Fennel]

Be patient, the curd will appear when you least expect it!

[Helgalush]

Oh really? Oh ok, sorry for being impatient!!

I took piccies yesterday and can upload them later. Its just that the leaves are massive and there seems to be no whitey bit. I feel a bit of a plonker for not realising that they would end up so big!

[Florence Fennel]

It's handy when the leaves are massive Helgalush. When the flower has formed, the leaves can be bent/snapped over to protect it from the sun which can make it go yellow/brown.

[bearded bloke]

Coo,yer that variety do grow big leaves .......



Your gonna have some well happy wabbits come harvest time

[Helgalush]

Oooh that looks lovely Bearded Bloke!

Thank you....any idea how much longer I may have to sit on my hands for??

[jonohanson]

On th topic of Cauli, some of mine have masses of growth and really tight curds, however some were not as fortunate in the growth department and there curds are a bit loose, daft question but will these still be fine to eat?

Many Thanks

[rustylady]

They're OK to eat, just not as pretty.

[jonohanson]

Brilliant, thanks.

[Jeanied]

The trick with cauliflowers is to pick the exact right time when the flower is ready - not to wait for it to get bigger/ more open. I have lost many that way - they are bitter if they are left too long.

[Florence Fennel]

I missed a couple last year that were "blown" by the time I got to them, but my daughter salvaged them by making soup. Delish.

[Helgalush]

First of all, sorry I forgot to come back and look at my own thread, but things went crazy for a little while and I've not been on in the last few weeks.

Crikey oh riley though, tonight I have just gone out and looked in to my cauli's for the first time in a few weeks - and there are massive curds in there. One is on the turn to going too far I think so needs to be harvested asap. I know it may come across as bragging but I am over the moon as its the first time I have tried to grow them, and I am bitterly disappointed about my beetroot and red cabbage which have pretty much been destroyed...So anyway - talk about beginner's luck - because thats all it is, luck! A shere fluke. I am on a right buzz!!

Anyway one is covered in little black spotty things, that look like eggs or bugs of some sort. Will it still be ok to eat, once washed?

I hope so because its got me salivating and Muesli my rabbit loves cauliflower and is going to go beserk! Tee hee!

[sewer rat]

If you have good leaf cover in the centre of the plant, it will do no harm to take a look. I grew a variety called Cheesy (Johnsons seeds) this year as I am, or rather was, still searching for a cauli that provides the leaf cover the catalogues promise - well, I need look no more - I didn't see any curds at all - but when I peeled back the central leaves, I found gorgeous white curds all at an edible size.