Growing Cauliflower in Containers | Care & How to Grow Cauliflower in Pots

Learn how to grow cauliflower in pots in this article. Growing cauliflowers in containers is not very difficult but rewarding–if you know the details.

However, cauliflower is a cool-season crop, but there are many hybrid cultivars available for both temperate and tropical weather, which means it can be grown diversely in various climates.

How to Grow Cauliflower in Containers

Planting cauliflower in containers

It’s important to plant the variety that fits the season and climate you are living in. Cauliflowers can be planted anytime in a frost-free climate when the temperature is in the range of 50-85 F (10-30 C). When heads are maturing, the ideal temperature is around 60-70 F (15-20 C). This ensures the best flavor and growth.

Generally, in warmer regions (USDA Zone 9 – 11), you can start to sow cauliflower seeds in the fall and continue to sow the seeds until the end of winter. In cooler zones, it’s better to start seeds from early spring to summer to get summer or fall harvest.

Propagation

Sowing, transplanting, and planting are the same as for the cabbages. Sow the seeds in a seed starting mix, 1 or 2 cm deep and 4 cm apart. Once the seedlings germinated and plants have 3 or 4 leaves, you can start growing cauliflower in containers.

Choosing a Container

Choose a pot that is 12 inches deep and at least 10 to 12 inches wide to allow enough room for a plant to grow. Also, make sure it has enough drainage holes in the bottom. In such a pot, you can grow one plant.

You can also grow 2-3 cauliflower plants together in large buckets, half whiskey barrels, and even in sacks and grow bags.

Requirements for Growing Cauliflower in Containers

Position

Prefer to keep the pot in a sunny spot that receives a minimum of 6-8 hours of sunlight. In a really hot climate, growing this delicious vegetable in partial sun (4-6 hours) is also possible.

Soil

Like all brassicas, cauliflowers are quite demanding when it comes to soil. Fill the pot with quality potting soil that is light, deep, humus-rich, and slightly clayey. As cauliflower grows best in moist soil, choose the substrate that holds some moisture but also drains well. You can also add 1/4 part peat moss or coco peat in your commercial potting mix.

Watering

Because growing cauliflower requires moist soil, you’ll need to water it regularly. It’s important to prevent the drying of the soil in the period when the seedling is maturing and at the time of head formation. Drought-like conditions lead to the formation of smaller or separate heads or even to a complete loss of them. Overwatering also impedes its growth, which must be avoided.

Also Read: How to Grow Best Beets in Pots

Cauliflower Plant Care

When the head or flower (curd) of cauliflower becomes 2-3 inches in diameter (this is unnecessary for colored varieties), cover it with the inner leaves by breaking or tying them over the head. It is called blanching. This will protect the head from the sun, and you’ll get healthy and beautiful white-colored and more flavorsome cauliflower after harvest.

Fertilizer

The cauliflower plant is a heavy feeder. You can mix compost or well-rotted manure into the soil at the time of planting. Additionally, side dress the plant with a handful of compost or manure again in the middle of the growth. If you’re not adding compost or not seeing the desired growth, fertilize it with balanced liquid fertilizer once a month or according to the product’s instructions.

Mulching

Mulching can be skipped when you’re growing cauliflower in containers. But you can do it to keep the soil cool and preserve moisture in the soil. In winter, mulching will keep the soil warm and insulate the roots from cold.

Pests and Diseases

Pests that damage the leaves–flea beetles, the larva of cabbage butterfly, and moths love to feed on this plant. Aphids and whiteflies can infest it as well.

In diseases, it is infected by clubroot, which can be checked if quality soil is used. It also gets affected by powdery mildew. To prevent it, avoid wetting the foliage if it can’t dry out during the day.

Harvesting

The harvesting of cauliflower takes place virtually throughout the year, depending on the variety, sowing period, and climate. Generally, harvesting takes place about 3-4 months after planting.

You can check if cauliflower is ready for the harvest when the head is fully developed (6 to 12 inches in diameter, depending more on the variety) and still compact. Once the blanching is done, you can harvest the cauliflower in 7-12 days.

Also Read: How to Grow Cucumbers Vertically

Points to Remember

• Cauliflower heads (flowers) become ready for harvest in 3-5 months.
• Cauliflower requires moderate temperature, around 60-75 F (15-25 C) is ideal.
• Too high or too cold a temperature leads to premature heading.
• Cauliflower requires a constant nutrient supply and slightly moist soil with ideal pH around 6.5-7.
• Right watering is the key to growing cauliflowers. For the best result, water carefully. Both underwatering or overwatering must be avoided.
  

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