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Cauliflowers

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Grannyknot Wed 03-Jul-13 12:47:47

We planted cauliflowers for the first time this year and proudly watched the "hatchlings" - now suddenly most of them seem to be taking off with a life of their own and sort of bolting instead of the tight head that you would expect.

I have 2 questions - any idea why this has happened and only to some of them? And - husband seems to think we can still eat them - is he right? The tips of the bolting florets are a pale purple colour.

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FlicketyB Wed 03-Jul-13 13:42:13

a)Yes, you can eat them b) cauliflowers are really difficult to grow so your results are par for the course.

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annodomini Wed 03-Jul-13 14:06:06

I haven't grown them, but my Dad used to fold the leaves over the curds which presumably was to prevent them bolting. Their labrador developed a liking for cauliflowers and used to nick one from the garden to eat.

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Grannyknot Wed 03-Jul-13 14:41:48

Thanks flickety and anno <hopes to find a labrador>.

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Elegran Wed 03-Jul-13 14:48:36

Folding the leaves over keeps them white too, though it sounds as though these ones are naturally purplish. are you sure they are not purple sprouting broccoli? Or some other variety of sprouting broccoli?

You can also get coloured cauliflower, but I think you would have known that when you bought them

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Grannyknot Wed 03-Jul-13 15:55:16

Hi elegran no they are definitely cauliflowers. The tips of the bolting florets are a light purplre colour. We have now folded all the leaves over! Some of the plants have perfect cauliflowers.

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merlotgran Wed 03-Jul-13 18:46:47

Folding the leaves over won't stop them bolting. It's to protect them from hot dry conditions which cauliflowers hate and keeps the curds white.

They are greedy feeders so might need a liquid feed. I wouldn't bother with the ones that have bolted if you have some perfect ones.

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