Kitchen Garden Forum

This year I was determined to try and grow a few successful caulis after varying degrees of triumph and disaster in years gone by!
The best results I'd had before were from mini cauli 'Clarke' (which I can't find anymore) so I thought I'd try a few sowings of Avalanche. I sowed them 31st January at about 70 degrees along with some calabrese and pricked them out into individual pots of loam based compost (after reading they didn't care much for peat) Anyway the calabrese is going great guns while the caulis are at the point of demise. Since germination Ive tried to grow them on at about 60 degrees. Help!! What am I doing wrong?!! All advice gratefully received.
Thanks in advance, June

JUNE
Take them off the heat, so long as they are frost free brassica's are quite happy growing in the cool temp

Too much heat.

Yes, too much heat, but don't suddenly leave them out in the cold, cool them down over the few days. Otherwise they'll just bolt and form any curds. Cauliflowers are also very thirsty, so don't let them dry out.

Hello June
I would suspect that overwatering might be the problem. I agree with the others that they don't need much heat but 60°F won't do them much harm. I've always started brassicas off in peat-based compost and have never had any problems.
Caulis do like to be well grown right from the start and resent any stress if they are to finally form a good head. As you say your seedlings are looking a bit sad I suggest you try sowing again, perhaps cooler and in a different compst, and hope for better luck.

John

Thanks for the advice. I think part of my problem is that I don't really have the right growing conditions for them so early in the year. At the moment they are on a windowsill in an unheated room. I'm taking some consolation from the calabrese which is growing well in the same place. I only have a plastic covered growing rack outside, I'm awaiting delivery of a greenhouse so fingers crossed!!
I do take the point about temperature but I'm convinced I've read an article (which I can't just locate to quote from) about cauli growing which said the plants were grown on at 59 degrees which is why I thought indoors in a cool room was better than outside where the temperature in considerably lower.
Thanks again, June