What went wrong with my cauliflower??

[Sharpy]

I don't understand what occurred here...help!

This stuff nearly killed me when I tasted it, it was more bitter than anything I ever ate.

Was it too ripe? or not ripe enough?

[img]https://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc60/IamSharpy/Garden/cauiliflower2.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc60/IamSharpy/Garden/cauiliflower1.jpg[/img]

[BrianSkilton]

Hmmm, this is my first year growing cauliflower, and mine never looked that way, so I am not really sure. Could be mold maybe?? Has it been raining, a lot in your area. Tried to look up what it could be, but I got nothing. Can anyone help him out? Also, could be some type of fungus, maybe you should have picked it sooner. Come to think of it, I better pick my other orange cauliflower soon.

[DoubleDogFarm]

Well, according to this site it was caused by heat. It's a cool season crop, don't you know.

I've also read that overcooking brings out the bitterness.

https://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/growing-cauliflower-4043.html

[LindsayArthurRTR]

romanescos got a little fuzzy like that before they started bolting, but they were not bitter.

[BrianSkilton]

If you have more plants, that are forming heads, put shade cloth over them, and keep them watered regularly. Let us know how it goes.

[Sharpy]

Thanks for the feedback!

I really don't think it is heat...it has not gotten all that hot here yet...

This plant was started covered by a cold frame in late April, I think it must have just been left too long and just a small head...

It was a self-blanching type (snowball) so it was already covered by leaves...and it wasn't cooked at all

I will have to try more in the fall

[TWC015]

I also found something online that says this problem was caused by heat.

I don't know what temperatures Ohio has, but heat for a Brassica oleracea is probably anything higher than about 80°F. My location has had regular highs above this since late April I harvested my cauliflower in March. I grow my Brassicas so they mature when the temperatures are in the 50s and 60s for highs, which is mostly in autumn for me.