Cauliflower is a vegetable that belongs to the varieties of the Brassica oleracea species and it reproduces from the seeds.
Cauliflower is a plant that is produced throughout the year, however, the best production time for this vegetable is between the months of September and January in the countries of the northern hemisphere, but it can be sown throughout the year.
Index
- 1 Characteristics of cauliflower
- 2 What are cauliflower care?
- 2.1 For irrigation
- 2.2 Nutrient content
- 2.3 Substrate
- 3 Cauliflower cultivation
- 3.1 Varieties of the summer autumn seasons
- 3.2 Varieties of the seasons summer winter
- 3.3 Varieties of the spring winter seasons
- 4 Diseases and pests of cauliflower
- 4.1 Cabbage hernia
- 4.2 Cabbage butterfly
- 4.3 Cabbage fly
Cauliflower Characteristics
Cauliflower is high in phytochemicals , such as sulfur-containing elements, especially dimethylsulfide and trimethylsulfide, which give off a fairly strong odor when cooked.
This is a variety that is related to broccoli and its appearance is quite similar to it, apart from the fact that it is a plant that is made up of a white head that is called dough or pella , which represents being the only one part that human beings can consume and is surrounded by fairly thick green leaves.
Cauliflower can measure approximately 30 cm in diameter and its weight can be around 2 kg.
The color of the edible part is usually white with shades of yellow, green or it can also be violet depending on the variety that is cultivated and its flavor is quite mild , being able to have a slightly sweet taste.
Among its main components is water, this being a food that has a low calorie content , something that is due to the fact that its content of carbohydrates, proteins and fats is quite low. However, this vegetable is considered an important source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B5, as well as small portions of other vitamins that belong to the vitamin B group, and also minerals.
It has a high content of diuretic properties , since it has a high content of water, potassium and at the same time it is a food with a great contribution of sodium.
Consuming cauliflower is of great help to our body because it eliminates excess fluids from it, apart from the fact that it has many benefits for the treatment of diseases such as hypertension, fluid retention and oliguria and is that by increasing production of urine gives us the possibility of eliminating, apart from liquids, all those substances that are dissolved in it, such as uric acid, urea, among others.
Therefore, this is a recommended food for those who suffer from hyperuricemia, gout and for those who are prone to developing kidney stones.
What are cauliflower care?
for irrigation
For the cultivation of cauliflower , it will need an excellent supply of abundant and regular water, so that it can maintain its humidity permanently.
At the moment the flower has formed, it is not highly recommended to water it from above, since this could cause the appearance of fungi or even cause rot, so it is best to use a drip irrigation system and/or or that it has an automatic programmer to regulate the water content in this way.
Nutrient content
Being a vegetable with an excellent nutritional value , it needs a high content of compost of decomposed organic matter.
Substratum
These are plants that have the ability to adapt to the pH, which have a preference for soils that are neutral , quite soft and fertilized, which in turn have regular humidity in their growing cycle.
cauliflower cultivation
To sow cauliflower we must bear in mind that this varies depending on its type, but in most cases we have to avoid damage to the roots at the time of transplanting:
Varieties of seasons summer autumn
To sow this vegetable we have to do it between the months of January and March in seedbeds that are protected.
Varieties of the seasons summer winter
We have to sow them in seedbeds that are outdoors between the months of May and June.
Varieties of spring winter seasons
In the same way we have to sow them in seedbeds that are outdoors between the months of July to September.
For the cauliflower transplant, this is a task that we have to do once the plant has three or five leaves, since we must plant them in a place that is open , with a lot of sunlight and with soil that has enough moisture. When sowing it, we must bury the roots and the stem until it reaches the base of the first leaves, being very careful that soil does not fall on the central shoot.
We must keep the soil with enough moisture , but keeping in mind that there should not be puddles, as they can cause root suffocation and stop their growth.
Diseases and pests of cauliflower
cabbage hernia
This is a disease caused by a fungus , which causes bulging on the stem and also on the roots, causing the leaves to wilt. So that we can avoid this, it is best to make rotations with enough space.
Cabbage butterfly
This is a white butterfly that has some black dots and they lay their eggs on the underside of the plant’s leaves .
Its larvae, which are usually green and covered with hair, advance by consuming the leaves, leaving only the central nerve. In order for us to prevent it, we have to exterminate its eggs and caterpillars using our hands.
cabbage fly
This is a type of fly quite similar to the fly we know. This is a fly that lays eggs in the neck of the plant stem and causes galleries, causing the main stem to be completely hollow. The plants that are younger wither and therefore die, in turn the leaves turn green with shades of gray, which are covered with a fairly thick layer of wax.
