Cauliflower Odysseus [Brassica oleracea var. botrytis]

The cauliflower 'Odysseus' is a biennial and very early cauliflower variety from Switzerland, for early spring and autumn cultivation. The rapidly developing cauliflower originally comes from Asia Minor and was already in the 6th century. Century mentioned, from where he was in the 16th century. Century spread across Italy throughout Europe. The hardy variety develops a pure white, firm and bright flower head. The taste is strong and typically cauliflower-like with an extraordinary aroma. Cauliflower is one of the most demanding types of cabbage.

General information
Plant family: Brassicaceae
Life Cycle: Biennial
Days to harvest: 70 days
Plant height approx.: 60 cm
Root Type: Deep Root
Nutrient requirements: Strong Eaters
Water Requirements: High
Winter hardiness: Up to-8 °C
Location: Sunny to partially shaded
Floor: Permeable, moist, loamy, humus, calcareous

PH: 6 to 7

Sowing and planting information
Germ Type: Dark germ
Seed Depth: 0.5-1 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-20 °C
Germination time: 7-14 days
Planting, row spacing: 50x50 cm

Optimal mixed culture: Basil, marigold, marigold, marigold, marigold, rosemary, soy, beans, peas
Unfavorable mixed culture: Kohlrabi, onion, garlic, mustard, radish, radish, other types of cabbage

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
From February after the last frosts, sow directly into the open air. We recommend pre-cultivation in small bowls from January to August.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Sow directly into the frost-free open air from April to June. We recommend pre-cultivation in small bowls from February to April.

General
We always recommend pre-culture for cabbage, for this purpose let the seedlings grow in a small bowl up to the first visible cabbage leaves, then pik into the desired container. After peckering, let the seedlings grow at moderate temperatures until they are planted out as seedlings. The planting of the seedlings in the bed is carried out from the 2nd Pair of leaves after the cotyledders.
Cauliflower plants prefer a sunny to partially shaded and sheltered location with sufficient water and nutrient-rich, humus-rich clay soil. Prepare the soil for cauliflower with deposited animal manure. Avoid waterlogging.

Additional tips
Too much sunlight reduces the quality of the harvest, as a remedy, simply bend the outer cabbage leaves inwards to cover the head. Harvesting is carried out before flowering, with the desired size and firmness of the heads. A break of at least three years must be made between two cultivation phases in order to prevent an imbalance of the microbes in the soil. To prevent the laying of eggs from cabbage flies, we recommend the use of vegetable protection nets. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and well-drained soil, an additional incorporation of biochar and primeval rock flour is recommended.

Type of propagation
Spread occurs via seeds.

Care Plants
In severe frost, cover cauliflower heads of plants. The bed in which cauliflower plants grow must always be kept evenly moist, fluctuations reduce the quality and the crop yield. Cauliflower needs a lot of nutrients, if these are not available enough, it makes sense to fertilize with plant manure. The fertilization should be stopped shortly before the harvest so that the plants are not too contaminated with nitrate. M It animal manure prepared beds and planting in mixed culture, replaces additional fertilization.

Germination ability of seeds: 3-4 years

Other Names
Botanical names: Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
English Names: Cauliflower
German names: Blumenkohl, Karfiol, Käsekohl, Blütenkohl, Traubenkohl, Minarett-Kohl, Italienischer Kohl
Portuguese names: Couve-flor
Spanish Names: Coliflor
French names: Chou-fleur