Cauliflower - Self Blanching

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CA$3.50
3.5 9 CA$3.50 - CA$9.00
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Approximately 250-315 seeds per gram.
Brassica oleracea
Lot# CW24205
Self-Blanching Cauliflower is a flavorful heirloom variety that produces 12-20 cm (5-8"), pure white-ivory heads.  It is a cool weather biennial that is an early maturing, high quality cauliflower.  It is known for vigorous, rapid growth and long harvest.  It grows on 45-61 cm (18-24") sturdy plants.  The curds are smooth, tasty, snow white and dense.  Silvery-green leaves offer excellent protection as the leaves curl around heads protecting them from sun so there is no need to tie up the leaves around the heads.  Cauliflower grows best at 15-24˚ C (60-75 ˚F).  A higher temperature will impede head formation.
Planting Instructions:
  • Start seeds indoors from early March to mid-June, 4 to 6 weeks before last frost in your area.  Sow seeds 5mm (¼”) and cover lightly with soil medium and water thoroughly.  Once seeds have sprouted be sure to keep soil lightly moist. Cauliflower seedlings should have at least 2 sets of true leaves before transplanting.  Space transplants 30-38cm (12-15") apart in rows 60-91cm (24-36") apart. Site them in full sun in a rich, moist, well-drained soil.  Direct seeding can be done when temperatures are reliably above 10°C (50°F) and after last frost.  Overwintered types are started in July and transplanted by August 15th. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C (50-85°F).
  • Soil Conditions:  Well worked, rich, loose well-drained soil. Ideal pH: 6.6-7.5.
  • Planting Depth:   5-12mm (¼-½") deep. Space transplants 30-38cm (12-15") apart in rows 60-91cm (24-36") apart. 
  • Germination:  8- 21 days.
  • Height at Maturity: 30-45cm (12-18”) tall.  Spread is about 25-30cm (10-12”).
  • Days to Maturity:   70-80 days for maturity
  • Watering:    Cauliflower requires a regular supply of water. At least 2.5-4cm (1-1½”) of water a week ensures good growth, whether vegetables are grown in single or wide rows. The amount of rain that falls during the week will help supplement how much you should water your garden.   
  • Sun/Shade:  Full Sun     
  • Spacing after Thinning:  Space transplants 30-38cm (12-15") apart in rows 60-91cm (24-36") apart.
Additional Information:
When the head begins to form (shows 5-7cm (2-3”) of white curd at the growing point) it is ready to blanch.  If you have a self-blanching variety, there is no need to tie. For non self-blanching varieties, tie the outer leaves together over the center of the plant to protect the head from sunburn and to keep it from turning green and developing an off-flavor. The variety Self-Blanch is named for its natural tendency to curl its leaves over its head. Several other varieties possess this trait, especially when maturing in the fall. Under cool conditions, these varieties blanch very well and tying is unnecessary.
The cauliflower head's curd develops rapidly under proper growing conditions. It grows 6 to 8 inches in diameter and is ready to harvest within 7 to 12 days after blanching begins. The mature heads should be compact, firm and white. Harvest the heads by cutting the main stem. Leave a few green outer leaves attached to protect the heads. Cut the heads before they become over mature and develop a coarse, appearance. Once individual florets can be seen, quality deteriorates rapidly. Because cauliflower does not ordinarily develop side shoots, plants may be disposed of or composted after heads are harvested.