{"id":2251,"date":"2023-04-03T09:59:45","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T09:59:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/?p=2251"},"modified":"2023-04-03T10:19:54","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T10:19:54","slug":"everything-about-the-cauliflower-plant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/everything-about-the-cauliflower-plant\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything about the Cauliflower plant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The European native Cauliflower (<em>Brassica oleracea<\/em>) is part of the cabbage family, and Mark Twain once referred to it as &#8220;a <em><strong>cabbage with a college education.<\/strong><\/em>&#8221; However, there&#8217;s much more to this vegetable than just being a fancy cabbage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With its distinct nuttiness and flavor, cauliflower &#8211; just like <a href=\"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/how-long-do-tomatoes-take-to-grow\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1171\">tomatoes<\/a> &#8211; is an excellent addition to any dish. The heads, which are formed from undeveloped flower buds, are the main edible part of the plant. Although growing cauliflower can be a bit tricky due to its sensitivity to temperature changes, it can be a rewarding addition to your garden with a little bit of TLC. The leaves and stem of cauliflower are also edible, and the plant &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/garlic-growing-stages\/\">similarly to garlic<\/a> &#8211; is ready to harvest in just two to three months from planting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Common Cauliflower varieties: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Attribute Hybrid<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fioretto 60<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cheddar Hybrid<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Early White Hybrid<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sicilian Violet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cauliflower plant care can be tricky for beginner gardeners because this plant is especially sensitive to temperature changes. Here are the key things to keep in mind: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Soil:<\/strong> the soil needs to be rich in organic matter with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 and well-draining, but it also needs consistent moisture to prevent buttoning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> For healthy cauliflower, consistent moisture is important as heads turn bitter without enough water. A weekly watering of 1 to 2 inches, soaking 6 to 8 inches into the soil, is recommended to avoid dry soil that may cause buds to open slightly and heads to form &#8220;ricey&#8221; instead of tight curds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Temperature:<\/strong> this plant thrives in cool weather but cannot tolerate frost and <strong>struggles in temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit<\/strong>. To keep the soil cool and retain moisture, mulching the plants at planting time is recommended.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Light:<\/strong> Although these plants require full sun, providing partial afternoon shade in hot climates can help avoid sun scorch.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group giveItARead is-horizontal is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\">Give it a read<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image readArrow\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Group-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-228\" style=\"width:25px;height:25px\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" title=\"\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"postLink has-text-color\" style=\"color:#285c26\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Propagation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To propagate cauliflower, start by planting seeds indoors about <strong>4 to 6 weeks prior to the average last frost date<\/strong>, using biodegradable pots to avoid root disturbance. <strong>Keep the soil moist<\/strong> and the seeds warm at around 80 degrees Fahrenheit for faster sprouting. Harden off your transplants before planting them in the garden, spacing them about <strong>18 to 24 inches apart<\/strong> with rows spaced 30 inches apart to provide sufficient room for the outer leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common pests<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cabbage_moth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cabbage Moths<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Aphid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Aphids<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rhs.org.uk\/biodiversity\/cabbage-whitefly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cabbage Whiteflies<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.missouribotanicalgarden.org\/gardens-gardening\/your-garden\/help-for-the-home-gardener\/advice-tips-resources\/pests-and-problems\/insects\/caterpillars\/cabbage-looper\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cabbage Loopers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu\/pubs\/MF3505.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cross-Striped Cabbage Worms<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.almanac.com\/pest\/cabbage-root-maggots\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cabbage Root Maggots<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pieris_rapae\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cabbage White Butterflies<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umn.edu\/yard-and-garden-insects\/flea-beetles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Flea Beetles<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-b207df05-9ce8-4bb7-a75a-bd79565b3769\" data-mobilecollapse=\"false\" data-desktopcollapse=\"false\">\n\n<div style=\"border-color:#f1f1f1\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-panel wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-\"><div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color:#f1f1f1\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title\" style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>How long does cauliflower take to grow from plant?<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator dashicons dashicons-arrow-right-alt2 open\"><\/span><\/div><div style=\"height:;padding-top:;padding-bottom:\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap\">\n<p>It typically takes two to three months to grow from planting to harvest, depending on the specific variety and growing conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n                <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\"\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-b207df05-9ce8-4bb7-a75a-bd79565b3769\" tabindex=\"0\">\n                    <p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-b207df05-9ce8-4bb7-a75a-bd79565b3769\"><strong>How many heads of cauliflower do you get from one plant?<\/strong><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down open\"><\/span>\n                    <\/div><\/div><div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-b207df05-9ce8-4bb7-a75a-bd79565b3769\">\n\n<p>Generally, you can expect one head of cauliflower per plant. However, this can vary depending on the specific variety, growing conditions, and plant size. Some varieties may produce multiple smaller heads, known as side-shoots, after the main head is harvested.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n                <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\"\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-b207df05-9ce8-4bb7-a75a-bd79565b3769\" tabindex=\"0\">\n                    <p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-b207df05-9ce8-4bb7-a75a-bd79565b3769\"><strong>Is cauliflower a flower or bud?<\/strong><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down open\"><\/span>\n                    <\/div><\/div><div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-b207df05-9ce8-4bb7-a75a-bd79565b3769\">\n\n<p>The part of cauliflower usually eaten and referred to as the &#8220;head&#8221; is a cluster of undeveloped flower buds, also known as curds. The curds are tightly packed and look like a single head, but they are actually multiple flower buds that have not yet opened. So, <strong>cauliflower can be considered both a flower and a bud.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n                <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\"\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-3-b207df05-9ce8-4bb7-a75a-bd79565b3769\" tabindex=\"0\">\n                    <p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-b207df05-9ce8-4bb7-a75a-bd79565b3769\"><strong>How do I know when cauliflower is ready to pick?<\/strong><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down open\"><\/span>\n                    <\/div><\/div><div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-3-b207df05-9ce8-4bb7-a75a-bd79565b3769\">\n\n<p>The head should be firm and dense, with tight, compact curds. It should be white (or the color of the specific variety), without any discoloration or blemishes.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n                <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\"\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-4-b207df05-9ce8-4bb7-a75a-bd79565b3769\" tabindex=\"0\">\n                    <p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-b207df05-9ce8-4bb7-a75a-bd79565b3769\">Is cauliflower toxic to pets?<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down open\"><\/span>\n                    <\/div><\/div><div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-4-b207df05-9ce8-4bb7-a75a-bd79565b3769\">\n\n<p>Thankfully, cauliflower is non-toxic to pets.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The European native Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) is part of the cabbage family, and Mark Twain once referred to it as &#8220;a cabbage with a college education.&#8221; However, there&#8217;s much more to this vegetable than just being a fancy cabbage. With its distinct nuttiness and flavor, cauliflower &#8211; just like tomatoes &#8211; is an excellent addition [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2254,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[92,40],"ppma_author":[77],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Cauliflower-plant.webp","author_info":{"display_name":"balint_admin","author_link":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/author\/balint_admin\/"},"authors":[{"term_id":77,"user_id":3,"is_guest":0,"slug":"balint_admin","display_name":"balint_admin","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4fd3cc71853fc4304b7e295fdb48ee22?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"","first_name":"","description":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2251"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2251"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2251\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2266,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2251\/revisions\/2266"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2251"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=2251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}