Cauliflower Neckarperle [Brassica oleracea var. botrytis]

The biennial cauliflower 'Neckarperle' is a traditional, frost-hardy early variety with high-domed, fine-grained and pure white heads and strong foliage. The taste is excellent, tender and sweet, like cauliflower. Ideal for pre-cultivation, sowing in spring or autumn, no pot cultivation, good for mixed cultivation, harvesting the cabbage heads.

 Description 
The 'Neckarperle' cauliflower is a two-year-old, old and traditional cauliflower plant from southern Greece/Crete, for spring and autumn cultivation. Cauliflower originally comes from Asia Minor and was mentioned as early as the 6th century, from where it spread throughout Europe via Italy in the 16th century. The frost-hardy early variety Neckarperle develops high-domed, fine-grained and pure white heads with strong foliage. The taste is excellent, tender and sweet, like cauliflower. Not suitable for harvesting in midsummer.

 General information 
Plant family: Brassicaceae
Life cycle: Biennial
Days to harvest: 70 days
Plant height approx.: 60 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: High
Water requirements: High
Winter hardiness: Up to -10°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 6 to 7

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 0.5-1 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-20 °C
Germination time: 7-14 days
Plant and row spacing: 50x50 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 3-4 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Basil, Marigold, Tagetes, Rosemary, Soy, Bean, Pea
Unfavorable mixed culture: Kohlrabi, Mustard, Radish, other types of cabbage

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Pre-cultivation is recommended from January to May or in autumn from September to November. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Pre-cultivation from March to July is recommended. The plants should ideally be placed in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Pre-cultivation and subsequent planting at the specified planting distance is recommended. For pre-cultivation, sow the seeds in a small bowl and let the seedlings grow until the first visible cabbage leaves appear, then transplant them into the desired container. After transplanting, let the seedlings grow at moderate temperatures until they are planted out as seedlings. Plant the seedlings in the bed from the second pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Cauliflower 'Neckarperle' does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Too much sunlight reduces the quality of the harvest. To remedy this, simply fold the outer cabbage leaves inwards to cover the head. Harvesting takes place before flowering, when the heads are the desired size and firmness. There should be a break of at least three years between two cultivation phases to prevent an imbalance of microbes in the soil. To prevent cabbage flies from laying eggs, we recommend using vegetable protection nets. To quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water retention capacity, we recommend additionally incorporating biochar and primary rock flour.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
In the event of severe frost, cover the cauliflower heads. The bed in which cauliflower plants are growing must always be kept evenly moist; fluctuations reduce the quality and yield of the crop. Cauliflower needs a lot of nutrients; if these are not available in sufficient quantities, it makes sense to fertilize with plant manure. Fertilizing should be stopped shortly before harvest so that the plants are not too contaminated with nitrates. No fertilization necessary.

 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 

 Origin 
Country: Portugal