Growing cauliflower in your own garden is a little more difficult than the usual for white cabbage.
After all, this type of cabbage is not so stable and more demanding in the care. However, taste, high content of vitamins and useful properties make the color of cauliflower indispensable for the diet of both children and adults.
Moreover, for lovers of gardening to master the procedure of growing a new plant will be very interesting.
But today we will speak not so much about agrotechnology and peculiarities of care for this crop, as about its best varieties.
We will try to acquaint you with varieties of different periods of cultivation, so that you could certainly choose the right one for yourself.
Early cauliflower varieties: what to choose for a good harvest?
We think that everyone will understand that the varieties of this category ripen the very first.
For a full-fledged ripening of a head of such cauliflower, a period of 85-100 days, which passes from the moment the first seedlings appear, will be quite enough. In this category there are both long-known varieties and newly created hybrids.
The latter, although often more high-yielding, are considered less sustainable. We will get acquainted with those and with others.
Cauliflower variety "Snowball" - an early gift of your garden
This cauliflower variety is one of the best of its kind. Its early harvests can produce very beautiful and solid white heads, which are characterized by a classic round-flat shape.
At the same time, despite the presence of a medium-sized outlet, their weight may fluctuate from 650 to 850 grams (with good agricultural technology and all 1.2 kilograms), which is quite a lot for early cabbage.
This sort of cauliflower is intended both for fresh consumption directly after cutting from the bed, but also for preparing different dishes. It has a very high taste.
With the achievement of maximum indicators of the mass of one head of this cabbage just 1.2 kilograms, it can be planted quite densely. Due to this, even from one m2 it is quite possible to harvest 2-4 kilograms.
At the same time, there are no problems with fruiting, which contributes to good resistance of this variety. In particular, it is realistic to grow the “Snow Globe” not only under the film, but also in the open field.
The vegetation of the plant lasts only 55-65 days (from the moment of planting seedlings in open ground, in general - up to 110 days).
In what lie merits Cauliflower varieties:
- The variety has high resistance to cauliflower diseases.
- Easily adapts and tolerates bad weather conditions.
- It gives good yields for very short periods.
In fact, it is very difficult to identify any shortcomings of this variety, which became clear after listing all the advantages.
The only thing that confuses many is low yield and small sizes of heads. Also, cultivation is recommended only by seedlings.
"Express" - the best of the best varieties of early cauliflower
The variety "Express" is characterized by an average rosette of leaves and very small heads. So, the weight of one well-matured can be only 350-500 grams.
Again, for early varieties such indicators are considered quite acceptable. The color of the head itself is white, but with a slight yellowness. Inflorescences are well distinguishable, the shape of the head is rounded.
As an early variety, it is planted at the very beginning of May, and already in 55-60 days it will be possible to cut fully matured heads of cauliflower from the bed.
It is recommended to grow it under a film, although if the spring is quite favorable - you can take the risk of growing it in an open way. From an area of 1 m2, it is usually possible to collect about 1.5 kilograms of cabbage, and from 1 hectare to 18 tons.
Benefits Described cabbage:
- The highest taste among the varieties of early cauliflower.
- Good bacteriosis resistance.
The disadvantages of this variety are difficult to call. The only thing is high plant susceptibility by pests cauliflowers, from which the beds must be covered, after processing.
Early ripe hybrid cauliflower "Movir-74": what can boast, and if the disadvantages?
The rosette of leaves of this cauliflower is medium in size, with a diameter of 45 to 95 centimeters. Heads are most often formed in a rounded or rounded flattened shape.
Depending on the quality of the seeds, weather conditions and care, the heads can grow to medium (diameter 12-15 centimeters) or large (23-25 centimeters in diameter) sizes. Accordingly, their weight can vary from 400 grams to 1.4 kilograms.
Distinguishes this hybrid bumpy surface and white color (sometimes whitish-yellow).
With larger heads, the yield of cauliflower "Movir-74" can be about 4 kilograms. It matures quite early, since the period of full vegetation of the plant lasts no more than 105 days.
In what lie merits hybrid variety:
- Cabbage has a good taste and can be used both fresh and for canning.
- Heat tolerance and resistance to cold is high.
- Allows you to get up to 2 harvests in one season.
- With simultaneous sowing of seeds for seedlings, adult plants ripen at the same time.
- This cauliflower responds well to watering.
Resilience this cauliflower of course not high. Often affected by both bacteriosis and pests. Requires control and protection.
Also interesting to read about the cultivation of cauliflower
Recommended mid-season varieties of cauliflower
For the full ripening of such cabbage takes about 120-130 days. Despite the longer periods of ripening, the fruits of such cabbage are able to be stored for a longer time than the early ones.
Polish cauliflower "Flora Blanca" - a real decoration of the beds
Distinguishes this cabbage slightly raised rosette of leaves, as well as a fairly dense head. The head weighs an average of 1.2 kilograms and is painted in a white-yellowish color.
Immediately distinguish it in the garden can be on such a feature, as well-covered head of the leaves. Also, has high taste.
Despite the fact that this variety belongs to the mid-season, the technical maturity of the fruits of this cabbage can begin as early as 110 days after the seedlings emerge. But nevertheless, there is no need to hurry with the beginning of the harvest, it is better to let it stay a little longer in the garden than there is an unripe cabbage.
Yield Cauliflower "Flora Blanca" enough high, makes about 25 tons from the area of 1 hectare. Heads ripen almost simultaneously, which allows you to quickly harvest.
pros varieties: why is it worth growing this particular mid-season variety?
- Fruits can have any use, from fresh consumption, to canning and freezing.
- The resulting crop can be stored for a long time and well.
- This cauliflower is not afraid of autumn frosts and is resistant to bacteriosis.
Cons of growing this cauliflower variety has not been established
Mid-season cauliflower "White Beauty": features and advantages
The head of this cabbage itself has a white color and a very dense structure. The shape is rounded. The weight of one head on average can have indicators of 1.2 kilograms.
The leaves have a light green color, almost completely cover the head. Deserves special attention due to its taste and high content of minerals.
This variety is rightfully the title of high-yielding, aided by very large and heavy fruit. In particular, even 1m2 of your garden is able to please with crops up to 6 kilograms.
At the same time, this variety of cabbage matures not so long - only about 125 days from the time of sowing the seeds. It is best to use seedlings for planting in open ground, although the seeds grown under the film also give good results.
Positive traits of cauliflower varieties described: why love and why grow?
- The ability to get high yields on average.
- Excellent taste and the ability of a long period of storage of the resulting crop.
- Good appearance of the inflorescence white.
- Inflorescences are suitable for fresh consumption, for freezing and even for canning.
The disadvantages of this variety are the same as in most other varieties: low ability to withstand diseases and pests.
The most famous late cauliflower varieties
These varieties of cauliflower ripen long enough - more than 130 days. In this regard, their cultivation is possible only in the southern regions. Otherwise, there will be a high risk of frostbite of either seedlings or already mature heads.
Best of all, this group of varieties is represented by F1 hybrid forms.
"Cortes F1" - the most high-yielding late cauliflower
First of all, this cabbage is characterized by a very beautiful and dense white head. Weight single head can fluctuate from 2 to 3 kilograms, which is a record figure among all the varieties described above.
Often, the cultivation of this hybrid form of cauliflower is carried out for sales directly in fresh form, although it is also well suited for all types of processing and for freezing.
Since this hybrid is classified in the group of late varieties, the maturation of its harvest occurs late.
From the moment the seedlings are planted until the full technical maturity is reached, the plants need at least 75 days. Thus, cabbage ripening heads can even meet with autumn frosts, which are not particularly damaging due to leaves that cover the head.
What kind merits hybrid worth mentioning?
- This hybrid has the ability to “protect the head” with leaves in the hot summer period, which protects it from damage by sunlight.
- High yield.
Unfortunately, but this cauliflower is not capable of producing high yields when it is grown on badlands. Therefore, to obtain heads weighing 3 kilograms, it is necessary to devote a lot of time to feeding the plants and fertilizing the beds.
Hybrid form of late cauliflower "Amerigo F1" - what deserves the popularity?
The head of this cauliflower has a snow-white color, which has an unusually good commercial quality. Also, it has a thick rosette of leaves that can cover the head in hot weather.
The heads weigh an average of 2 to 2.5 kilograms. The use of the fruits of this cabbage is probably the same as for the previous hybrid form.
This cauliflower is a hybrid of a new generation. It shows itself in a very intensive development of plants and a fairly high growth force. Productivity is very high.
Cabbage ripens late, only 75-80 days after planting seedlings in open ground. However, for growing in the fall, "Amerigo F1" is recommended because it is not afraid of frost.
Other important merits cauliflower hybrid
- The hybrid has a high resistance to hot temperatures, independently covers leaves of the head.
- Wide scope of use of fruits.
Unlike other varieties, the described is very picky about the presence of mineral fertilizers. Thus, no matter how fertile the soil is, the plants will still have to be fed.
How is the competent planting of cauliflower on the beds: short instructions?
- Seeds for planting cauliflower must be treated with boiling water and nutrient solutions and then sown in boxes with fertile soil.
- At 12-14 day of growth of seedlings it needs to be pinned up.
- Planting of seedlings in the open ground is carried out in steadily warm weather. At a temperature of just + 15ºС after 30 days, cabbage can shoot an arrow.
- The ideal scheme for planting these plants is 25 centimeters between the seedlings of the water row and 50 between the rows.
- After planting, the plant requires careful supervision and regular watering.
The main rules and necessary measures for the care of cauliflower or how to achieve good yields?
- Watering. Moisture cauliflower needs a lot, but you can not overdo it with it. In the first weeks after planting, seedlings are watered 2 times a week (at least 6-8 liters of water should be used for 1m2), then only one (water volumes increase to 8-10 liters).
- Pest protection. This plant can be affected by very different pests, which are quite difficult to fight. However, it is also quite effective to use folk remedies for prophylaxis: dusting cauliflower with wood ash or tobacco; spraying infusions of onion peel, burdock or tomato stalks.
In order for cabbage not to be affected by various diseases, it is very important to alternate crops in the beds.
- Fertilizer beds and plant nutrition. Soil fertility is a very important aspect of cauliflower growth. Before planting, the soil digs up and a large amount of organic matter is added to it. Subsequently, to stimulate growth, plants are added to solutions from mullein or chicken manure. Some varieties also require mineral fertilizers.
- Stabbing cauliflower seedlings. As mentioned above, the hardening should be started from the 12th day of growth of the seedlings to help it better adapt to the open air and exposure to sunlight. Carry boxes of seedlings on the street is only in the daytime. When growing it under the film, the latter just rises for the day.
