to nurture or not ?

[Normans Mum]

Hi all
I have sown and potted on some cauliflowers. Some fellow plotters have said to me that they are quite hard to grow on and look after (but I'm up for most things). What should I expect? Presumably, you get out what you put in... I'm prepared to look after all my veg, but don't want to be molly coddling all the time. Any info much appreciated.

[rustylady]

I presume you will be planting them out on the plot when they are big enough. No reason why they shouldn't succeed as far as I can see. Like all brassicas they like firm soil and will need netting against the dreaded cabbage white butterflies.

[Normans Mum]

Ah.... thanks rustylady. Have seen the dreaded white flutterbies around and about. Will get the netting out as soon as they are big enough. : )

[roitelet]

As Rustylady says firm soil, and as rich as possible. When you plant them don't bury the cotelydon leaves or the will be blind ie no cauli just leaves. I have grown them a few times and have usually be fairly sucessful but always seem to get a glut. They don't freeze well so I either give them away or they blow and go to the chooks

[Pa Snips]

Good luck with them, they're the only thing I couldn't get to germinate.

[Normans Mum]

erm... what are the cotelydon leaves? are they the first 'true' leaves on the plant?

[Potstubsdustbins]

No they are the seed leaves, the very first leaves to appear.

Colin

[Currysniffa]

They don't freeze well so I either give them away or they blow and go to the chooks

I've never had a problem with freezing cauli's. I guess its depends on which cauli you grow .

[Kleftiwallah]

Once the curds (the white bits) starts forming, keep your eye on them. They go from a nice tightly pact head to being blown (all open) in a day or so. Cheers, Tony.