 |
Cauliflower
Frank J. Dainello,
Extension Horticulturist
Department of
Horticultural Sciences,
Texas A&M University |
Click photo to enlarge in new window. |
|
VARIETIES
Snow Crown, Imperial 10-6, Snowball Y Improved, Candid Charm, Incline,
White Magic, Minukman
Green Types: Alverde, Macerata,
Green Harmony, Spiral Point (test planting only). |
SOIL PREFERENCE
Fertile, medium textured, well-drained soils; can be grown on a wide range
of soil pH (6.0 - 7.8) and is well suited to the higher pH level. |
OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS
Cool temperatures, days 55 - 70oF, nights 45 - 55oF.
Does not tolerate heat. |
ESTABLISHMENT METHODS
Direct seeded or transplanted
| Optimum time= |
Soil seed zone temperature |
| Spring- |
>40oF. |
| Fall- |
<100oF. |
| Seeding rate lbs/A= |
0.5 - 1.5; (precision planting 0.25 - 0.5). |
| Seeding depth= |
0.25" |
| Approx seed / oz= |
9,000 |
| Seedling spacing= |
12 - 18" in-row with one row/36 - 40" bed. |
|
FERTILITY/FERTILIZATION
Rates are presented as actual lbs/A N2, P 2O5, and K2O (base actual rates
on soil test results).
| Generalized rate lbs/A |
150 - 85 - 60. |
| N- |
150 - 175; half pre-plant + 1 - 2 side-dressings 2 - 4 weeks prior
to anticipated harvest. |
| P- |
70 - 100: banded 2" below seed at planting. |
| K- |
60 - 120; not needed in most areas of Texas. |
|
WATER/IRRIGATION
20 - 30" total; uniform consistent moisture supply needed for optimum
yield. Key stages= stand establishment and 6 - 7 leaf stage. Do not over
water during first 4 - 5 weeks after direct seeding or 2 - 3 weeks after
transplanting. |
PEST MANAGEMENT
| Major Diseases |
Control |
| Black rot |
Treated seed, resistant varieties |
| Wirestem or damping-off |
PCNB |
| Alternaria |
Bravo, maneb, Quadris |
| Downy mildew |
Aliette, Bravo, maneb, Ridomil Gold Bravo |
| Riceyness (Curdness) |
Factors related to warm weather |
| Nematode |
K-Pam, Telone II, Telone C-17 |
|
| Major Insects |
Control |
| Cabbage looper |
Asana, Avaunt, B.t.'s, Fury, Intrepid, permethrin, Proclaim, Spintor |
| Diamondback moth |
Asana, Avaunt, B.t.'s, Fury, Intrepid, permethrin, Proclaim, Spintor |
| Beet armyworm |
Avaunt, B.t.'s, Intrepid, Lannate, Larvin, Proclaim, Spintor |
| Aphid |
Assail, Admire, diazinon, dimethoate, Di Syston, Fulfill, Metasystox-R,
Provado |
| Harlequin bug |
Asana, Capture, Danitol, endosulfan, Fury, Sevin, Warrior |
| Whitefly |
Assail, Admire, Danitol, endosulfan, Provado |
| Mite |
Capture, Danitol |
|
| Weeds |
Control |
| Preplant incorporated |
Dacthal, Devrinol, Prefar, Treflan |
| Preemergence |
Dacthal, Prefar, Goal (transplants only) |
| Postemergence |
Poast, Select, Stinger |
|
| * NOTE--The above is
a partial listing of controls intended as examples. Some labels may have
been revoked since the publication of this guide. Refer to product labels
for specifics and use accordingly. Failure to do so may result in crop
injury, death and/or citation for law violation. Humans, animals and the
environment may also be adversely affected by misuse. |
HARVEST
| Days after planting= |
50 - 125 |
| Normal method= |
Hand |
| Containers= |
Bulk wagons |
| Grades= |
U.S.#1, uniform heads 4" minimum diameter,free of blemishes and
discoloration. |
| Packaging/Handling= |
2 layer cartons, 12 - 16 trimmed heads/carton. |
| Anticipated yield/A= |
400 + cartons. |
|
STORAGE/TRANSIT CONDITIONS
32oF at 95 - 98% RH; 3 - 4 weeks. |
COMMENTS/PRODUCTION KEYS
- Due to its exacting environmental requirements cauliflower is more
difficult to grow than other Brassica such as broccoli and cabbage.
Erratic conditions in Texas often do not favor successful production.
- Two key growth stages: juvenile and mature vegetative.
- The length of the juvenile stage varies according to variety and
is correlated to number of leaves developed prior to curd initiation
(curds will not form in this stage).
- Curd initiation can be delayed in the mature vegetative stage by
high temperatures(>80oF).
- Curds can be prematurely triggered (button) by moisture stress or
periods of cold(50 - 60oF) following warm growing conditions
in the vegetative stage.
- Daily mean of 58 - 68oF is ideal for quality curd formation
and development; temperature above 68oF during curd development
often results in poor quality. Some of the newer hybrids have the
ability to develop heads at 68 - 80oF.
- Most varieties require tying to keep curds white. Tying should be
done when heads are approximately 1" in diameter. Wrapper leaves are
tied with string or bound with rubber bands.
- The Broccoflower types are actually green cauliflower which do not
require tying.
- Heads are harvested when approx 5 - 6" in diameter. Begin when 10%
of heads reach this size and continue at 4 - 8 day intervals.
|
Texas Cooperative
Extension, Horticulture Crop Guides Series
Revised November, 2003
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/vegetable/cropguides/cauliflower.html
Prepared for Web delivery by Brooke Bludau, Amanda Zan, and Dan Lineberger |
