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Annual Biennial

Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group

cauliflower

A cultivated group originating from wild cabbage plant, from which all our cauliflower varieties have been bred. They were selected for large, pale-white, dense heads of undeveloped flower buds ( sometimes called ''curds'') which are enveloped by few large, blue-green leaves. There are many varieties of cauliflower available and they come in many colours and shapes

Other common names

broccoli
perennial broccoli

Synonyms

Brassica botrytis

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Brassicaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Brassicas can be annual, biennial or perennial plants, most are upright with alternate, often glaucous leaves, long taproots and clusters of cross-shaped, yellow or white flowers. The genus includes a number of species bred to produce food crops, such as cabbages, turnips, mustards and oilseed rape, as well as others grown for their ornamental value
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Sow seed outdoors in deep, fertile but firm, soil that isn't too acidic. If space is limited, start the seeds in modules or seedtrays and plant outside when big enough to handle easily (about 5 or 6 small leaves). Follow cauliflower cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to flea beetle, cabbage root fly, caterpillars, pigeons and snails, although once plants are established, this damage isn't usually severe. Heavy infestations of mealy cabbage aphid may also spoil the harvest

Diseases

May be susceptible to brassica downy mildew and brassica white blister. In areas where brassicas have been grown before, club root can build up in the soil

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