Brassica oleracea (Botrytis Group) 'Aalsmeer'
cauliflower 'Aalsmeer'
An excellent Spring cauliflower variety with outstanding Winter hardiness that produces well-protected, creamy-white heads of a good depth and weight. It can be harvested between March and April when the kitchen garden can feel scarce
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Neutral, AlkalineColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
Grow in fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Sow indoors between April and May in good quality seed compost and place in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse, keep moist, and transplant when large enough to handle to outdoor position. Or sow direct between April and June into a well cultivated seed bed that has been watered, 1.5cm deep and 60cm apart with 60cm between rows. See cauliflower cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to birds, cabbage caterpillars, cabbage gall weevil, cabbage root fly, cabbage whitefly, cutworms, flea beetle, mealy cabbage aphid, slugs and snails, swede midge
Diseases
May be susceptible to black rot, club root, downy mildew, foot and root rot, grey mould, leaf spot, white blister
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