FARMER'S BOOKSHELF
An
information system of crops in Hawaii
Department of Horticulture
University of Hawaii at Manoa
CAULIFLOWER
Climatic Requirements
Cauliflower
generally performs best in areas where temperatures are warm during
the early stages of growth and cooler as the curd (head) begins to develop.
Cultivars
Varieties
Below
1000 feet elevation: Pua Kea. Between 1000 to 2500 feet elevation: Snow
King, Snow Queen, and Extra Early Snowball. Above 2500 feet elevation:
Super Snowball, Early Snowball, and Perfected Snowball.
Culture
Soil Preparation
Cauliflower requires
a fairly fertile, well-drained soil with a good water-holding capacity
and a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Work the soil to break up any hardpan, and
work in manure or compost to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. If soil must be
fumigated for root knot nematode, do this after the soil is prepared,
and allow an interval of 2 to 3 weeks after treatment before planting.
Irrigation
Irrigate regularly,
or whenever needed to prevent plants wilting from lack of water. If allowed
to wilt, the crop will be delayed in maturing and the size of heads will
be reduced.
Cultivation 
Cultivate
the garden frequently to control weeds and to prevent surface crusting
of soils that cake and prevent water penetration. Cultivation should
be shallow to prevent root injury.
Disease Control
The
most common diseases of cauliflower are wire stem and black leg in the
seedling stages, and black rot and downy mildew in the maturity stages.
Wire stem disease can best be controlled by treating seed with a disinfectant,
and black leg by hot water se ed treatment at 122 F for 15 to 20 minutes.
Downy mildew may become serious in cool, wet areas and seasons. Spraying
with zineb and maneb will control this disease.
CAUTION:
When applying insecticides and fungicides, be sure to read and follow
recommendations and directions on the label carefully.
Fertilization
General
garden fertilizer, such as 10-30-10, can be applied at the rate of 2.0
to 3.0 pounds per 100 square feet. Apply one-half of the complete fertilizer
at the time of transplanting or soon thereafter, and the second half
3 to 4 weeks later. An additio nal side-dressing of about l/2 pound
of sulfate of ammonia per 100 square feet at the stage of curd formation
will help increase the size of heads.
Harvesting
As the heads develop
and approach the right stage for harvesting, bend one or two inner leaves
inward at the midribs (some cultivars do this automatically) to protect
the curd from sunlight and keep the curd white. Curds exposed to sunlight
will turn yell ow.
Heads should be harvested
at the right stage of maturity, when the curd is compact and smooth in
appearance. Ricy or overmature curds appear irregular and uneven with
spaces showing in the curds.
Insect Control
Insects that infest
cauliflower, such as aphids, cab- bage looper, cabbageworm, and cabbage
webworm, can be controlled by carbaryl (Sevin), diazinon, malathion, or
naled (Dibrom). Red spider mites can be controlled by sulfur spray or
dust. The cut- worms which attack the seedling stages of the plant can
be controlled by applying diazinon before planting and working it into
the top 3 to 6 inches of the soil, or by spraying the base of the seedlings
with carbaryl.
Planting
Cauliflower can be
transplanted or seeded directly into the garden. If transplants are to
be used, sow seed in seedling flats, beds, or pots. Seeds will germinate
in 3 to 5 days and can be ready for trans-planting in 3 to 6 weeks. Water
the seedlings regu larly, preferably in the morning to allow the plants
to dry as soon as possible. Seedlings that are over-crowded and kept wet
will often become infested with diseases. Seedlings that are stunted or
checked in growth will usually form small button-sized he ads prematurely
after transplanting.
Transplant seedlings
2 to 3 feet apart between rows and 12 to 15 inches apart within the rows,
depend- ing upon the varieties grown.
