First time growing Cauliflowers...

Hi guys,

This is only my second year attempting to grow veggies, mainly as my 2 kids were desperate to do so.. We had a lot of fun last year and didn't do too bad with tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins and a few other bits.. This year the kids were more adventurous and choose Cauliflower, sprouts and broccoli.

All seems to be going well so far and everything seems to be growing nicely. BUT I have over the past day or so seen a difference in the cauliflower it's seem to be a lot less "White" and has a slight purple kind of colour now. Sorry for the lack of technical terms but just wanted to check all was ok and if there's anything I should be looking out for or doing?

Thanks for your time

It did look like this:



and now looks like this :( ... ?

 

.

Hi. The going purple "might" be because of clubroot, if when you lift any and they have swollen, twisted "roots that would be your problem.

It is what happens to a few of mine occasionally as there is clubroot in the soil!

I try to keep it under control by sprinkling lime into each planting hole and this helps.

The marking of the caulio head is probibly slug damage!

I usually lift mine when they are about the size of the one in the top picture, and they taste sweeter at this point!

Ps. I should also say, very well done as cauli's are one of the hardest vegetables to grow!

Cheers!

 

Thanks Makka-Bakka, I've got another smaller one which is about the size of the first pic I'll have to get that eaten now then Is the other no good whats so ever now?

 

Well done Sascha. Cauli No1 looks great. I would grab them at that size and eat them.
Caulies are one of those things. They are no problem in fields but very difficult in gardens. It seems to be because they give off something which says "this is cauli land" and they get on great in fields, but in gardens they detect something which says "this is not cauliland". Not a very scientific explanation but I'm sure you get the drift.
I used to grow them and had the same problems as you. The little caulies were great then got a bit pink then kind of spread out. I don't struggle with them anymore.
All I can say is grab the little ones and eat them. Enjoy.
PS This year I'm trying Romanesco to see if it works any better.

 

Sascha, pick and eat the one in the second image first. What you need to do with caulis is, once the curds ( hearts ) start to form, break a leaf over it. This stops the light getting at them and keeps them white.

 

Yes Dai, but no farmer ever did any such thing and their caulies get on fine in the fields.

 

Thanks peeps... It was my daughter who loves cauliflower cheese who wanted to grow these, so that's tomorrows dinner sorted she'll be happy

I did put a leaf over the head as someone told my mum I'd need to protect it from the sun, maybe I was a bit too late in doing so, not sure.

I've just checked out Romanesco, looks interesting and might impress the kids, is it too late to get some seed and get some going?

Also any tips on sprouts and broccoli.. I've staked both, is there anything I should be doing around about now.... I'll start another thread maybe with some pics, just to make sure all is ok... hehehe!!