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Can someone please tell me why the caulis that should be nice and white and compact are a horrible green with the top purple and hairy.
Instead of compact they have burst open and are quite ugly, not at all appertising. They will definately end up in the compost heap this year.
I have had this happen before, but no one I asked about it new the answer. Usually my caulis are big white and yummy. Lesley.
Has it been hotter than usual? When they burst open it's because the have shot past the poi nt of being nice and compact. I usually pull the leaves over the top and wrap them so the cauliflower blanches. The green and purple might be from too much sun. I have no idea about the hairy stuff.
All of the above. Cauliflower in a warm sunny climate ( I don't know the climate in your part of New Zealand) has to be tied up to prevent direct exposure to the sun. When exposed they tend to green and with with some cultivars get a purple tinge. Once the heads form they go bad very fast. Here, they must be picked within 3-4 days of first show, I normally tie my mine up when the first button the size of a coin appears and start cutting three days later when the heads are 6- 8 inches in diameter. Once the curds start to seperate and get ricey they are over the hill.
Thank you all for your input. I think you got it spot on farmerdill, too much sun and they have gone off badly. I think I must usually grow them when the weather is cooler. Our autumn is just starting but it's still pretty hot. Lesley
