califlower - or is it?

[Lizzy56]

In amongst my brassicas I have what I thought were cauliflowers (and by this I mean the white variety curd affair as opposed to anything "sprouting". However, the plants stand as tall as a sprout plant and appear to have nothing at the top other than leaves. What have I got and where have I gone wrong. have I bought the wrong seeds - I thought these were "all the year round"
I want some caulis next year. any recommendation for a seed which will give me the nice white variety - I am looking for something small-ish that I can eat in one go.

thanks

[rustylady]

Might help us identify your plants if you post a picture.

[Jeanied]

Some cauli varieties produce small caulis on the plant, like white broccoli- can't remember if all year round is one of those. It also depends on how you grow them and soil conditions.

[Alison]

What sort of caulis did you think you had? I've got some in that won't form curds until spring time and if they were sprouts then they'd have the little buttons forming in the armpits by now as they should be getting ready to harvest by now. Also,when did you plant them out as if you were late then that would clearly delay any harvest. By the way, my sprout plants turned out to be caulis last year - serves me right for not growing my own like I normally do and trusting Homebase's labelling

[Bigmallly]

Caulis can get to 2-3ft tall before setting curds Lizzy, just keep an eye on them and if they are caulis, fold the leaves over the curds to protect them. Or simply tie the leaves together to keep the light & the frost out.

[Two_Sheds]

I thought these were "all the year round"

This one?
Cauliflower 'All The Year Round' (Spring/ Summer/Autumn) - Brassica & Leafy Green Seeds - Thompson & Morgan

Should be sown April/May, planted out in the ground June/July, and will be producing caulis the following spring (so not yet)

If you didn't sow at the correct time, everything might be out of whack

[veggiechicken]

The T&M link also says
" Sowing Months: February, March, April, May, October".

[Bigmallly]

I think the October sowings must for the spring showings.

[Lizzy56]

thanks for this. my intention is just to leave them there as I might see something in the spring. what I intend to look for now is something which will be harvested in the same year and be much smaller. any suggestions greatly appreciated.

[Two_Sheds]

The T&M link also says
" Sowing Months: ... October".

... but if you sow in October, nothing much is going to happen until the spring. So you might as well just sow in the spring

[veggiechicken]

But, but, but......... if you sown in spring they should be ready in Autumn - or so say RealSeeds Vegetable Seeds : Cauliflower
Sow in Autumn and pick in Spring.