By Stamatula
County Tyrone,
United Kingdom
I have a polytunnel for the first time in which I have planted various veg.
Savoy cabbages and cauliflowers have massive outer leaves but no hearts
yet. Is this ok, and will the hearts develop soon?
17 Jun, 2010
Answers
Thank you so much, I am encouraged by your comment !! I do look
forward to my crop.
17 Jun, 2010
I had the same experience growing cauliflowers in our large tunnel this year. I planted each plant in a square foot 'square' (based on the square foot method of Mel Bartholomew) , enriched with 4 handfuls of garden compost, 2 of weathered wood ashes and 4 of vermiculite (helps drainage and keep moisture in our clay soil). I also gave each square a handful of organic fertiliser around the plant. We watered regularly.
I had been extremely sceptical that we would get anything more than tiny hearts at this spacing, but of a dozen plants we had at least six very large caulis, 4 moderate size ones, one small, and one which succumbed to cabbage root fly. Like you, I began to think that they would be all leaf, but they hearted up perfectly well. Depending on when you planted them, I would guess they would start to heart up soon.
As long as plants are large and healthy they will always produce a reasonable heart; it's the plants which are weak growing and have dried out which produce only a tiny heart.
I must admit in general I find the polytunnel is better for brassicas in spring and autumn than for traditional tomatoes, peppers etc. You can get several crops a year and protect things well into winter.
Good luck with your savoys and caulis. I'm sure they will impress you.
17 Jun, 2010