Packed with rich nutrients, cauliflower or cabbage flower is one of the commonly used flower-vegetable. The flower heads contain numerous health benefiting photo-nutrients such as indole-3-carbinol, sulforaphane etc., that help prevent prostate, ovarian and cervical cancers. Botanically, it is a member of the cruciferous or Brassicaceae family.
It has got a similar nutritional and phytochemistry profile with broccoli and cabbage. Several cultivars exist other than the common snow-white variety, including green, orange, purple, and romanesco heads. You can eat cauliflower raw, steamed, stir-fried or cooked in casseroles. Lifecycle: annual, Biennial grown as an annual.
Seeds Specifications
Seeds per Packet
40
Common Name
Purple Cauliflower, Cauliflower Purple Sicily, Cauliflower Sicilian Violet, Cauliflower Violet Queen, Graffiti Cauliflower, Cavolfiore di Sicilia Violetto.Brassica oleracea(Botanical Name).
Height
Height: 1 to 2 feet Spread: 1.3 to 3 feet
Flower Colour
White
Bloom Time
Winter
Difficulty Level
Moderate to difficult
Planting And Care
Make sure that the plants have uninterrupted growth
Any interruption can cause the plants to develop a head prematurely or ruin the edible part completely
Cauliflower requires consistent soil moisture
They need 1 to 1
5 inches of water each week; with normal rainfall, this usually requires supplement watering
For best growth, side-dress the plants with a nitrogen fertilizer
Note that the cauliflower will start out as a loose head and it takes time for the head to form
Many varieties take at least 75 to 85 days from transplant
Be patient
When the curd (the white head) is about 2 to 3 inches in diameter, tie the outer leaves together over the head with a rubber band, tape, or twine
This is called blanching, and it protects the head from the sun and helps you get that pretty white colour
The plants are usually ready for harvest 7 to 12 days after blanching
Cauliflower Care
Most cauliflower varieties require about 2 months to mature, although some are a little quicker and others can take up to 3 months
Since they will not form heads in warm weather and can only handle a light frost, be sure to choose a variety that will have enough time to mature in your climate
That means a fast-maturing variety if your spring or fall is short
Longer maturing varieties are good choices for gardeners with mild or late winters
Sunlight
Full sun Can tolerate light shade but will slow maturity. Light shade can be beneficial in warm weather.
Watering
Cauliflower needs consistent moisture and plenty of water. Without sufficient water, the heads turn bitter.
Soil
Requires well-drained soil, Prefers well-drained, fertile soil high in organic matter, pH 6.0 to 7.5. Can tolerate slightly alkaline soil. Needs plentiful, consistent moisture.
Temperature
18 to 30 °C
Fertilizer
Since cauliflower takes so long to mature, some supplemental feeding will be necessary. Feed every 2 - 4 weeks with an organic fertilizer like kelp and fish emulsion.
Harvest Season
When the heads are compact, white, and firm, then it is time to harvest them. Ideally, the heads will grow 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Cut the heads off the plant with a large knife. Be sure to leave some of the leaves around the head to keep it protected.
If the heads are too small but have started to open up, they will not improve and should be harvested.
If the cauliflower has a coarse appearance, it is too mature and should be tossed.
If you want to store cauliflower, you can put the head in a plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator. It should last for about a week. For long-term storage, you can also freeze or pickle the heads.
Cauliflower Special Feature
Cauliflower is a cool-season crop and a descendant of the common cabbage.
It is more difficult than its relatives because it does not tolerate heat or cold as well. For this reason, cauliflower is usually grown commercially.
choosing a selection results in a full page refresh
