Growing Cauliflower

brassica oleracea var. botrytus botrytus : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S                    
      T T              

(Best months for growing Cauliflower in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 60 - 100 cm apart
  • Harvest in 15-22 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Your comments and tips

24 Jul 12, wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
Why do my cauliflower heads seperate. Is this do do with nutrient or is there another cause. Happens all the time with me and I feel like giving up on them, ??
25 Jul 12, Joseph (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am a little unsure but it may be two possible scenarios one masking the other. Firstly, It may be a Boron deficientcy, this micro nutrient required in minute quantities, over use is a really problem make sure if you use only apply up to the recommended quantity and NO MORE. Secondly Low nitrogen levels inconjuction with heat in a micro situation. Please let me know how things progress for you. Seasol may help?
11 Aug 12, wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
Will have to wait till next year as its to late to go again now. thanks for the advice boron might be the answer as I have tried most things.seasol and other nutrient providers.
30 May 12, Jim Mair (Australia - temperate climate)
My Caulis., 1 month in soil, are growing tall and seem to need support. Should I hill up the soil up around them?
07 May 12, terry harris adelaide (Australia - temperate climate)
Cauliflower start off well then heads seem togo to seed without forming a strong headplant has healthy leaf. is it the soil lack of fertiliser or what? thankyou for any help terry
23 Apr 12, David (Australia - arid climate)
Put Fruitfly mesh over plants from day 1. Prevent all insect contact.
21 Apr 12, mick (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
just wondering if anybody has good tips for natural and organic pest control.seem to have a lot of aphids and white moths. plants are nice and healthy apart from leaves being eaten
23 Apr 12, Julia (Australia - temperate climate)
I use just plain flour, sifted onto the leaves of my plants, it acts as a stomach poison on the caterpillars but doesn't harm anything else, no harm to you and breaks down quickly
06 Feb 12, "Kid"s rice (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
If you steam the cauliflower to slightly underdone (about 10-12min) Pulse shred it in a processor to a rice consistancy. Serve with a sauce... My kids did not even realize what they were eating...they hat veggies, love rice. It is also an excellent idea for dieters.
05 Jan 12, Joe (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Cauli-Community, Here on the Sunshine Coast QLD have problems with white butterflies and worms eating away the leaves. A decent daily spray of garlic and chilly infused water seems to fight off both successfully. Caulis seem to be strong feeders; I applied good general fertilizer weekly and added aged cow manure a shovel load per plant per month. Heads are now developing, yeah! I grow them under 90% shade cloth and hope this keeps the heads white. temperatures are going up which they dont seem to like a lot; supply decent deep root drinks daily. Fingers crossed! Joe
Showing 131 - 140 of 204 comments

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