Cauliflower

Brassica oleracea, Botrytis group

Cauliflower is actually a form of cabbage, like Kohlrabi and Broccoli. I’ve purchased two varieties — one from the store in the form of 3″ plants, and one from seed. The Snowball Early is the variety from seed; the White Cloud variety was purchased.

Like other cabbages, the “fruit” of the cauliflower is actually the head of the plant. The leaves and stem are typically discarded. It grows low to the ground and needs to be separated by about 18″, but I’ll probably plant one to a square foot.

Care and Chores

  • When the head is the size of a doorknob, tie the leaves over the head with a bit of string or a rubberband to keep the “flower” white.
  • Some sources indicate that Cauliflower requires more frequent watering.

My Notes

  • Snowball Early, 2009 Batch 1: I lost track of planting and germination date, but for a plant that proclaims to be an “early” variety, seed germination took a heck of a long time. All died.
  • Snowball Early, 2009 Batch 2: Planted 12Feb09, Sprouted 15Feb09. All died.
  • White Cloud, 2009: Purchased at Lowes on 12Feb. Planted 22Feb09 in the garden.

Other Resources

Pictures

11March09, southwest quadrant with onions and cauliflower

11March09, southwest quadrant with onions and cauliflower

White Cloud in the garden with onions, 26March09.

White Cloud in the garden with onions, 26March09.

White Cloud cauliflower with the leaves tied up over a golf-ball sized head as of 16Apr09.

White Cloud cauliflower with the leaves tied up over a golf-ball sized head as of 16Apr09.