Cauliflower

[jikabeim]

Sorry all I seem to do is ask questions but since this is my first year growing I hope that I might be able to contribute next year, depends if I learn anything this year!

I have grown some cauliflower but the curds have split. I have two questions, can I still eat it separated and two, do I now have to remove the plant altogether or will it grow separate little florets like broccoli?

Thanks for everyone's help in advance.

[PAULW]

J
Yes you can eat it just try to cut them a bit earlier next time, 2 thats it no secondary growth, chop the roots off and take home and put in the bin compost the rest.

[Scottishnewbie]

PaulW - did i read this right? that you bin the roots of cauli and only compost the leaves? is this the case with all brassicas?

[realfood]

Yes, I burn the roots of brassicas in case they have clubroot.

[gojiberry]

I don't compost brassica roots in the normal compost bin as they take to long to rot down. I put them down the bottom of the plot up against the hedge where they rot down over several years.

Ian

[PAULW]

SN
Just a precaution that helps maintain a healthy plot, you read of people getting clubroot from people walking on their plot just think of the disaster if you composted an infected root then spread it all over your plot in the compost.

[teakdesk]

do I now have to remove the plant altogether or will it grow separate little florets like broccoli?

It's many, many years since I grew caulis because my first year the curds split like yours and the second year I was invaded by caterpillars just as I was harvesting perfect caulis


However, if I remember right, you can cut the cauli leaving the leaves, then using a sharp knife put a cross into the top of the remaining stalk and you will get leaves growing that you can eat like cabbage.

I'm sure someone will either confirm that or tell me it is only with cabbage!!

[jikabeim]

Thanks to everyone, I guess I will have to wait til next year to grow proper shape caulis!