Brocolli has bolted and Cauliflower rotted! help

[briggsy2011]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone can give me tips tp stop my next batch of cauliflower from rotting. I got them fromplug plants - they were very healthly, watered regularly and when hot watered am and pm. the crowns started to grow nicely but then the leaf start browning and rotting, and then dropped off. The head has gone now. This has happened to 2 of my caullys.

Any tips?

Also, my 2nd batch of brocolli has flowered but i have read up that they dont really like heat or hot soil. So i will try and grow them earlier.



thanks x

[Aberdeenplotter]

What size was your broccoli when it flowered? The one thing I strongly recommend with brassicas of all sorts is to firm them into the ground really well at planting time. This helps get firm hearts on cabbages and helps prevent sprouts "blowing" early and also helps caulis and broccoli produce nice firm curds.

Not sure at all why your cauli's have rotted but it may just be that you drowned them by over watering. To avoid the need for watering, dig in loads of FYM or compost/moisture retaining material before planting.

Don't be too despondent, there is always next season.

As a sub note, after lifting the shallots I grew in my polytunnel this year, I planted in some caulis. Really bad soil in there for clubroot (add plenty lime when planting - I didn't ) and despite the clubroot, they are growing really well despite the high temperatures. Biggest pest I have with them are bright green caterpillars which are hell and all to find.

[oldie]

My brocolli has also bolted, due no doubt to the very hot spell we have just had. I suspect that as AB said you have possibly over watered the cauli. Mine gets watered once a week if it is lucky, but I do have a thick straw mulch round them.

[Florence Fennel]

Two of my coloured caulies bolted and "blew" and I know it wasn't due to overwatering. Maybe it is the fluctuation in temperature. Better luck next time Briggsy
My broc is nowhere near the harvesting stage yet, so perhaps as you said you were a bit early.

[Snadger]

The second stages of clubroot could be confused with root rot? Also cabbage root flies seem to favour caulis over all other brassicas and will also rot the roots!