Cauliflower Advice Please

[susieq100]

I bought some cauliflower plants in May and planted them out around the end of the 1st week in May. They have grown really well, but only one of them has anything that looks like a 'flower'. This one solitary plant has a cauliflower about the size of a tennis ball. The others are all 'leaf'. Is it just an early developer or are the others late developers or are they cabbage? How can I tell, other than by wait and see?

[Benacre]

You have a "Bolting " flower head which is caused by planting out and not firming down, being too dry or sometimes lettingt hem get too big before transplanting. I would not expect any flowers until late Sep or even next year depending on the variety

[susieq100]

Thanks Benacre. Does this mean that my bolter is edible? Should I just cut it and eat it now, or will it be nasty?

[Alice]

What are your cauliflowers like Susieq100. Mine are just starting to make curds now. If I look right down the centre of the plant I can see white curds about the size of a 50p piece. Yours might just be coming up to that. Hovever, if they are making flower flowers, they've bolted and had it. If they have any curds you could use them before they go completely past. I hope your caulies are OK.

[rustylady]

If the one you've got is looking firm and tight I would leave it a little while to see if it gets any bigger. As soon as it starts to loosen up you need to cut it before it produces flowers. Or you could cut it and eat it now as a baby cauli.

[susieq100]

Thanks guys - I think I will probably cut it and eat it. Alice, I'm not entirely certain what you mean by 'curds' - is that the proper name for teeny tiny baby caulis? There are small tightly wrapped leaves, folding in over each other in the middle, but are so tightly folded, can't see what, if anything, is 'inside' them. Probably about the size of my thumb.

[jacob marley]

Thanks guys - I think I will probably cut it and eat it. Alice, I'm not entirely certain what you mean by 'curds' - is that the proper name for teeny tiny baby caulis? There are small tightly wrapped leaves, folding in over each other in the middle, but are so tightly folded, can't see what, if anything, is 'inside' them. Probably about the size of my thumb.

Like babys they will pop out when ready get ready for them all to come together jacob

[sewer rat]

Hi Susieq100
When Alice , or anyone else for that matter, talks about curds in relation to cauliflowers, what they are referring to is the heart of the plant - the white bit made up of florets that you eat.

[Alice]

Hi Susie, I'm confused, and trying to work out about your cauliflowers. Curds are the white bits in the middle that you eat. If you've got them you have been very successful . Enjoy at any size you like. On the other hand, if you have flowers - like real flowers - your caulies have had it, and you should harvest any curds ( white cauliflower bits) you have and eat them as there is nowhere for them to improve from there. Sounds like you have little caulies (curds) in the middle. If so congratulations. Let them grow on and enjoy them.

[moggssue]

Susie - I planted 8 caulis out in May and have just had the first big edible cauli (lovely it was too!). The rest of them are just like you describe (Ithink!), lots of leaves curling over protecting the baby curd (edible bit of cauli) in the middle so I guess that the first one was just an early developer and the rest will follow along when they're ready (but listen to the more experienced if they tell you different, this is my first time!).

[Nicos]

I've only grown caulies once and when the curds appeared,I left them to get larger. Within 3 days they had blown.
Moral of this story ....keep an eye on them!

[Cutecumber]

Yes, they go over quickly - don't delay.

I did and so yesterday had to chuck two small heads that smelled exceptionally bad!!

That's the end of my summer caulis.