As such, practice blanching only when necessary not in the cool, shorter days of fall, or with colored varieties that need sunlight to achieve their full color. Tied or covered heads may experience increased humidity and greater likelihood of contracting alternaria. Be sure not to break the leaves, or they may blow away. Another method is to crack the leaf midribs and fold them over the heads until completely covered. To prevent yellowing and promote better head quality in hot weather, follow this blanching technique: at the moment when small white heads are just visible through leaves, gather the outer leaves over the head and tie with string or a large rubber band to preserve white curd color. BLANCHING: Exposure to the sun can cause white cauliflower heads to yellow. cutworm prevention: cultivate soil 24 weeks before planting to work in cover crops and destroy weeds. For cabbage worms and loopers, use bacillus thuringiensis (bt). Treat flea beetles with insecticides such as pyrethrin or azadirachtin if heavy pressure is observed. INSECT PESTS: Repel flea beetles and root maggots on young seedlings by covering with floating row covers from day of planting. We are glad to help with specific questions. However, no method of seed treatment can positively insure freedom from disease. It does not guarantee a seed lot to be disease-free. NOTE: A disease-free test result means that in the sample tested, the pathogen targeted was not found. campestris) and black leg (Phoma lingam). Johnny's Selected Seeds only sells seed lots of cauliflower that have tested negative for black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. DISEASES: Adhere strictly to a preventive program including: (1) long crop rotations with non-brassica crops, (2) clean starting mixes and outdoor seedbeds, and (3) strict sanitation practices. DIRECT SEEDING: Sow 3–4 seeds 18" apart, ½" deep, rows 24–36" apart, thinning to one plant in each group. Transplants can be set out from September to February in these regions. WINTER CROP: Successful cauliflower crops can be grown where winters are mild (temperatures rarely below 32☏ (0☌)). To ensure mature heads, seed the crop early in areas where heavy freezes occur early in fall. Start seedlings as above in May and transplant to the garden in June–July. FALL CROP: Use midseason and storage varieties. Harden plants carefully by gradually increasing cold before transplanting out, 18" between plants and 24–36" between rows. Older plants tend to be stressed and do not perform as well as actively growing seedlings. Transplant outdoors when seedlings are no older than 4–5 weeks old. If possible, keep soil at least 70☏ (21☌) until germination, and 60☏ (16☌) thereafter. Seedlings should be ready to transplant in 4–6 weeks. EARLY SPRING CROP: Use early and midseason varieties. Cauliflower does not do well in hot weather the best success is with spring and fall crops. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Brassica oleracea CULTURE: Cauliflower prefers a well-drained, fertile soil high in organic matter, a pH of 6.0–7.5 with consistent moisture throughout the growing season.
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