I'm growing these for the first time this year. I've got some great
big plants. I just harvested the broccoli and the first two
cauliflower. Cauliflower was harvested late--heads started to spread
at the edge and some .. uhm, popped--not sure how to desribed the
change. Also there are tiny points on the surface.

Anyway, I understand I'm supposed to cut off the head and side shoots
will form. When I cut the cauli I ended up taking the top layer of
large leaves withthe head.. . Is this normal, okay?

DO the shoots sprouts near the cut, in the crotch of leaves or from a
new sprout lower on the plant? Do I leave all the existing leaves?

I assume broccoli is the same.


DiGiTAL ViNYL (no email)
Zone 6b/7, Westchester Co, NY, 1 mile off L.I.Sound
2nd year gardener
http://members.aol.com/DigitalVinyl66/Garden2004.html

I'm growing these for the first time this year. I've got some great
big plants. I just harvested the broccoli and the first two
cauliflower. Cauliflower was harvested late--heads started to spread
at the edge and some .. uhm, popped--not sure how to desribed the
change. Also there are tiny points on the surface.

Anyway, I understand I'm supposed to cut off the head and side shoots
will form. When I cut the cauli I ended up taking the top layer of
large leaves withthe head.. . Is this normal, okay?

DO the shoots sprouts near the cut, in the crotch of leaves or from a
new sprout lower on the plant? Do I leave all the existing leaves?

I assume broccoli is the same.

Broccoli forms side shoots where the leaves attach to the stem. How big and how
many depends on the cultivar. Cauliflower, one head that's all. There may be a
few exceptions but it would be exceptional.

DigitalVinyl wrote in message . ..
I'm growing these for the first time this year. I've got some great
big plants. I just harvested the broccoli and the first two
cauliflower. Cauliflower was harvested late--heads started to spread
at the edge and some .. uhm, popped--not sure how to desribed the
change.


the heads "split" (and became inferior tasting). I have long given up
doing brassicas in the summer. they are a natural fall crop. collards
can grow through the summer, because they don't head, and of course
long season cabbages and brussles sprouts which need the time, but
that's it. the time to plant broccoli and short season cabbages in
zone 6 is right now.

(FarmerDill) wrote:

Broccoli forms side shoots where the leaves attach to the stem. How big and how
many depends on the cultivar. Cauliflower, one head that's all. There may be a
few exceptions but it would be exceptional.

I just went to pull the cauliflowers and two of them has grown
entirely new shoots from the bottom of the main stem. This new plant
is distinct form the big head of leaves I just harvested. One was
already branching out into multiple stems and started forming its own
cluster of leaves. Is this common? Would I get just leaves and no
head. I know these plants are already well established so I'm
wondering if I should cut away the big leaves and leave the stem and
its new flower of leaves for fall.

I bought these as starters in Home Depot so I have no reliable variety
info.



DiGiTAL ViNYL (no email)
Zone 6b/7, Westchester Co, NY, 1 mile off L.I.Sound
2nd year gardener
http://members.aol.com/DigitalVinyl66/Garden2004.html