skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

Cauliflower still has not head

14 years ago

I posted a message back in late July about my cauliflower not growing heads, and I've been patiently waiting. But, I'm wondering if something is wrong, since I planted it in mid-may and I still have no heads. Any advice? Should I pull it up? Here are some pics. The plants are quite big, they are bigger than they look in the pics.

{{gwi:112210}}

{{gwi:112211}}

{{gwi:112212}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

farmerdilla
14 years ago
The plants look good, so it is possible they will head as the weather cools. Cauliflower is not a summer crop in most areas. There are cultivars which take three + months under optimum conditions so you might have one of those. If those are current photos of your plants, I would give them more time in cool weather.
michelelc
Original Author
14 years ago
Yes, I took these pics today. The cultivar is "All the Year Round". I will be patient, and wait and see. I will be thrilled if they do get heads, and I have something fresh out of the garden long after everything else is done. Thank you for the advice!
Related Discussions
Cauliflower has foul smell
Q
Comments (3)
to be honest, I am not sure as I have not grown them, but I lived in a cabbage/cauliflower growing region, and the smell from the fields, got progressively stronger as the season grew warmer, and the individual smell when I brought them was stronger as well, a really strong cauliflower/rotting/musty smell? the cauli, tasted fine, maybe it is just before they bolt, the scent changes? who knows? just done a google search, nothing except the cooking smell! so clearly my sense of smell has been killed off by living near the fields as I have never notice that, but could the heat of the day be sort of cooking it, all be slowly? just a thought, by way of conversation but it might spark discussion. good luck in the quest.
...See More
cauliflowers are not producing the regular cauliflower.
Q
Comments (14)
Around here we plant broccoli so it can mature its first head in cool weather. This would be the largest head it would ever produce. If the weather stays cool it may produce side shoots of small heads (florets) after that. Trimming off all flowering shots and severely triming so only a few side shots develop can sometimes help the remaining ones grow larger. Also, some varieties produce more and larger side shots....can't remember what ones they are offhand. I usually just start new plants and go for the initial large heads. Young transplant can be grown from seed in four weeks or so. I can not imagine growing a broccoli plant for 2 years, but you probably cannot imagine living with 2 feet of snow and sub-zero temperatures. I think both places would get the biggest broccoli from young plants, though.
...See More
What is wrong with my cauliflower head?
Q
Comments (6)
Some call it "ricing" (fuzzy with leaves in the middle of the head), some call it "buttoning" (button size curds) and some call it bolting if it first looked normal but small. Bottom line it is a response to poor environmental conditions ie: early heat or frost exposure (I'd guess heat in your zone), excess nitrogen, inconsistent soil moisture levels, rootbound when transplanted, etc. Cauliflower can be very picky about its growing conditions. Dave
...See More
Will calliflower produce if it has no head as of yet? (zone 4.5)
Q
Comments (11)
Yes the white Cauliflower head does need to be protected or they will brown in the sun. I ordered some Cheddar cauliflower from Johnny's this year and the head is orange and does not require the blanching. The DTMs listed for veggies that are typically transplanted like Broccoli and Cauliflower are from transplant. Peter - Sarah's Choice has fairly short vines compared to pumpkins and watermelons that I have grown....maybe 10' max. I'm going to plant 3 hills in a 4x8 bed and they will probably spill out into the paths a little. The first time I planted them I put 5 seeds in a 3x3 bed and got about 15 nice melons and the critters got a few to boot. Put some on your list for next year!
...See More
grandad_2003
14 years ago
Beautiful cauliflower plants! My experience is that the larger plants produce the larger heads. Your plants look normal to me and I'm guessing you're going to see signs of a cauliflower head soon. Also, if your "All Year Round" is not self blanching then you'll likely want to tie the leaves to cover the head (which will keep it white). I usually use a 1 inch wide strip of cloth. The elastic band taken from old underware is actually (IMO) the best.
greenthumbsj
14 years ago
michelelc,

they look like they are about ready to head. My plants were about the size of your first picture when they started heading. They look very healthy, just make sure it gets lots of water and compost or whatever you are using it to feed - they require a lot of fertilizer.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Cauliflower blog

Related Stories

COTTAGE STYLE Houzz Tour: Snug London Cottage Has a Spacious Feel

Natural light, an ingenious layout and plenty of space-saving tricks are the secrets to this compact home’s laid-back charm

WOOD Knotty and Nice: Highly Textured Wood Has a Modern Revival

By Mary Jo Bowling

Whether it's cedar, fir or pine, if a wood has a knot, it's hot

REMODELING GUIDES One Guy Found a $175,000 Comic in His Wall. What Has Your Home Hidden?

By Mitchell Parker

Have you found a treasure, large or small, when remodeling your house? We want to see it!

LIFE Houzz Call: What Has Mom Taught You About Making a Home?

By Vanessa Brunner

Whether your mother taught you to cook and clean or how to order takeout and let messes be, we'd like to hear about it

COLORS OF THE YEAR Pantone Has Spoken: Rosy and Serene Are In for 2016

By Jennifer Ott Design

For the first time, the company chooses two hues as co-colors of the year

Houzz Gifts: 31 Finds for the Chef Who Has Everything

Delight serious cooks with the latest in kitchen gadgets, accessories, cookware and small appliances from Houzz

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: ‘Everything Has a Story’ in This Dallas Family’s Home

By Sarah Greenman

Gifts, mementos and artful salvage make a 1960s ranch warm and personal

WORLD OF DESIGN England’s Most Famous Garden Designer Has These Tips for You

Lancelot 'Capability Brown' was born 300 years ago, but his ideas about naturalistic landscape design may be more relevant than ever

BEDROOMS This Teen Girl's Room Has Total Grown-up Appeal

By Mitchell Parker

With a textured blue wall, a mod white bed and even a Lichtenstein, this teen's bedroom draws envy beyond her age group

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Counters: Granite, Still a Go-to Surface Choice

By Ivon Street Studio

Every slab of this natural stone is one of a kind — but there are things to watch for while you're admiring its unique beauty

Sponsored

Dream Baths by Kitchen Kraft

12 Reviews

Your Custom Bath Designers & Remodelers in Columbus I 10X Best Houzz

More Discussions

Veggie Tales - April 2024

55

Hardening seeding temperatures

17

How often to add soil sulfur?

5

How long do you harden off seedlings?

4

Planting beans in the same place twice in back to back year?

5