When is the best time to plant autumn cauliflower?

Cauliflower is a common vegetable in daily life, and it can be grown in most regions, with some regions able to plant it several times a year. So when is the planting time for autumn cauliflower?

1. When is the planting time for autumn cauliflower?

Autumn cauliflower is generally planted from mid-to-late June to early-to-mid July, but in dryland areas it is generally planted from late May to late June. By mid-September it can be harvested successively. When planting, varieties such as Baimanman, Xueshan, and Holland Snowball can be selected.

2. What are the field planting and management techniques for autumn cauliflower?

1. Water management

Water once 3 to 4 days after transplanting to help the seedlings recover. In rainless seasons, water about once every 7 days. In the early stage of plant growth, since it coincides with the hot and rainy season, it is necessary to prevent both drought and waterlogging.

Cauliflower has two peak water-demand periods throughout its growth cycle: one is the rosette stage, and the other is the curd formation stage. Throughout the entire growth process, water use should be flexibly controlled according to the weather and the growth condition of the cauliflower. Generally, light and frequent watering is done in the early stage, and later, as the temperature drops, the watering interval gradually becomes longer.

2. Fertilizer management

In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, cauliflower needs more nitrogen fertilizer in the early growth stage because the stems and leaves grow vigorously. Generally, fertilizer is applied three times during the entire growth period, namely after seedling recovery, before row closure (the period when the cauliflower as a whole grows most vigorously), and before the curd begins to form, to ensure robust plant growth and normal curd expansion. When the curd expands to about 15 cm, a small amount of additional fertilizer can also be applied to increase curd yield.

3. Cultivation and weeding

High temperatures and frequent rain make weeds grow easily. When plastic film mulching is not used, cultivation should be carried out promptly after seedling recovery to promote the emergence of new roots. Cultivation should be shallow and must not damage the plants. Generally, cultivation is done 2 to 3 times.

4. Covering the curd

Under direct sunlight, the cauliflower curd easily turns pale yellow and may grow small leaves within the curd, reducing quality. Therefore, when the curd has formed to about 10 cm, the main veins of the large outer leaves are broken and bent over to cover the curd. In areas with frost, the leaves should be tied to provide protection. Note that the tying must not be too tight, so as not to affect curd growth.