Cauliflower Growing Problems Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Cauliflower Problems

If possible, plant disease resistant seeds. ...
Don't use old seeds or improperly stored seeds, which will produce weak plants susceptible to disease.
Avoid damaging cauliflower plants.
Practice crop rotation to prevent the common diseases of cauliflower. ...
Lime the soil to prevent fungal infections.

Why is my cauliflower growing weird?
Why is my cauliflower turning brown in the garden?
Why are my cauliflower plants dying?
Why are my cauliflowers bolting?
How do you know when cauliflower is done growing?
What happens if you eat old cauliflower?
What is wrong with my cauliflower?
What's killing my cauliflower?
What does mold look like on cauliflower?
Why won't my cauliflower form a head?
Why did my cauliflower turn green after cooking?
Why are my cauliflower heads so small?

Why is my cauliflower growing weird?

Any inconsistencies in the cauliflower's environment, such as extreme cold, heat, or drought, can result in malformation of the head, or curd, of the vegetable. To specifically answer the question of why you have loose heads on your cauliflower, hot weather is most likely to blame.

Why is my cauliflower turning brown in the garden?

Generally, browning is caused by a lack of boron, a micronutrient that is essential to healthy cell development.

Why are my cauliflower plants dying?

Stress – Cauliflower is a cool weather plant susceptible to wilting in hot weather. ... However, avoid overwatering because soggy, poorly drained soil may also cause cauliflower to wilt. A layer of bark chips or other mulch will help keep the soil cool and moist on hot days.

Why are my cauliflowers bolting?

Cause. Bolting is triggered either by cold spells or by the changes in day length through the seasons. ... In annual crops, bolting occurs before they are ready to gather and, in biennials, when an over-wintering organ (carrot roots for example) flowers before the winter.

How do you know when cauliflower is done growing?

Harvest/Storage

Plants are usually ready to harvest in about 50 to 100 days, depending on variety, or 7 to 12 days after blanching.
When the heads are compact, white, and firm, then it is time to harvest them. ...
Cut the heads off the plant with a large knife.

What happens if you eat old cauliflower?

If you catch these spots early, you can simply cut them off. But, once they begin to spread and take over the head then it has gone bad. Next, cauliflower will begin to smell and get a moist and even slimy texture. It will no longer be hard and crisp and should not be eaten.

What is wrong with my cauliflower?

Stresses that affect cauliflower development may be overly cold soil or air temps in the spring, lack of irrigation or nutrition, root bound plants, and insect or disease damage. Cultivars that mature more quickly are more susceptible to stress than those that need a longer growing period.

What's killing my cauliflower?

The most common cauliflower pests are aphids, flea beetles, slugs and snails, leaf hoppers, and several insect larva.

What does mold look like on cauliflower?

If instead of pale brown, the spots are dark brown to black in color, the curds have taken on a mushy texture, or have an off-putting odor, it's best to toss the head of cauliflower and get a fresh one. These are all signs of decay and spoilage.

Why won't my cauliflower form a head?

Poorly draining soil leaves roots vulnerable to nibbling nematodes, slugs, and snails that can impair the ability of the plant to take up water and nutrients. In addition, these insects may spread diseases to weakened plants. If your cauliflower has consistently wet feet, it may fail to produce heads.

Why did my cauliflower turn green after cooking?

Cauliflower can be served cooked or raw. ... Do not cook cauliflower in aluminum or iron pots. The chemical compounds in cauliflower will react with the aluminum and turn the vegetable yellow. While in an iron pot, it will turn a brown or blue-green color.

Why are my cauliflower heads so small?

If growth is checked, at any time during growth, they produce small, deformed heads. To avoid problems, water plants well the day before transplanting and make a hole deep enough to hold the plant with the lowest leaves at ground level.