Brassica oleracea (Botrytis Group) 'Aalsmeer'

RHS Plant Profile
cauliflower 'Aalsmeer'
Award of Garden Merit
Annual Biennial

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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral or Alkaline

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical 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