What is the trick for growing cauliflower?

[Melissa]

My plants had a small head about the size of a tennis ball. Instead of getting bigger they sent purple shoots up. I cut the small heads off of the rest of the plants. Will a new head form? How can I get big nice cauliflower?

[solargeek]

I am following this because I have never successfully grown cauliflower. Even with store-bought plants, something similar to what you said has happened to me. What is the secret?

[Melissa]

solargeek, No one will tell us!!! lol

[mogal]

I have a friend who doesn't even bother with broccoli or cauliflower in the spring. She starts her seed indoors in mid July and by early Sept. it's ready for the garden where both veggies respond to the cooler temps of fall. I've never tried it. This is just what Penny does and has told me about. I never seem to have my ducks in a row to try.

[geoinmi]

It's called "buttoning". Usually happens due to stress, when the plant gets exposed to too cold days in the early stages. Another head won't form.

geo

[Melissa]

mogal, I will try that next year.

geoinmi, We did have really cold temps the second week of May. That may be what did it.

I love to make pickled cauliflower. Guess I will be buying heads again this year!

[ldc]

I had luck growing them in the fall, too! Here (south Louisiana) the fall growing period is longer. Spring has been heating up earlier than before.

[ldc]

I had luck growing them in the fall, too! Here (south Louisiana) the fall growing period is longer. Spring has been heating up earlier than before.