How to grow Cauliflower Flora Blanca Seeds
Planting: You can either start seeds indoors for transplanting later or sow them directly outdoors. Cauliflower 'Flora Blanca' prefers cool weather and is a good choice for an autumn harvest. Hot summers can stress the plants, causing them to bolt before forming a head.
Starting indoors (Optional): Begin 4-6 weeks before the last frost in your area. Use well-draining seed starting mix in trays or pots. Sow seeds thinly and cover lightly with soil (about 0.5cm deep). Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Aim for a warm location (around 21°C) with good light. Seedlings should emerge in 7-14 days. Once they have a few true leaves, thin them to the strongest plant per pot. Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors.
Direct Sowing Outdoors: In cooler climates, choose a sunny location with well-drained soil in late spring to early summer (around the end of May to July). Sow seeds directly into the prepared soil, spacing them about 5cm apart. Thin seedlings later to a final spacing of 45-60cm between mature plants.
Transplanting (if using seedlings): Harden off your seedlings for a week or two before transplanting outdoors. Select a sunny location with loose, fertile, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH (around 6.0-6.8). Amend the soil with compost or aged manure beforehand. Dig holes slightly larger than the root ball of your seedlings and space transplants 45-60cm apart. Water the plants well after transplanting.
Plant Care: Provide regular watering to maintain evenly moist soil, especially during dry periods. Deep watering that soaks the soil to a depth of 15-20cm is ideal. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Apply a layer of organic mulch around your cauliflower plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. You can provide additional nutrients with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season, but avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that promote excessive leafy growth over head formation.
Harvesting: Cauliflower heads are ready to harvest when they reach a mature size, typically 15-20cm in diameter, and feel firm and solid to the touch. The head should be white and compact, with no signs of yellowing or browning. Use a sharp knife to harvest, cutting the stem just below the head.
Additional Tips: In mild climates, Flora Blanca cauliflower can withstand winter temperatures if protected with fleece during strong frosts. Practice good crop rotation to prevent pest and disease problems. Watch out for cabbage white butterflies, caterpillars, aphids, and fungal diseases like clubroot and black rot. Use organic controls like neem oil or insecticidal soap if necessary. Avoid planting cauliflower in the same spot where other brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, etc.) have grown in recent years. As the plants grow, gradually mound soil around the base of the stems up to the lower leaves. This supports the developing heads and helps blanch them for a whiter color.