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{{Infobox Cultivar | name = Cauliflower
{{Plantbox
| color = IndianRed
| common_names = Collard, Collard greens
| growth_habit = please add
| high = please add
| wide = please add
| lifespan = Annual
| exposure = Sun
| water = Regular
| features = Edible
| hardiness = n/a
| usda_zones = please add
| sunset_zones = please add
| name = ''Cauliflower''
| image = Cauliflower.JPG
| image = Cauliflower.JPG
| image_width = 172px
| image_width = 172px
| image_caption = Cauliflower, cultivar unknown
| image_caption = Cauliflower, cultivar unknown
| species = ''[[Brassica oleracea]]''
| regnum = Plantae
| group = Botrytis Group
| divisio = Magnoliophyta
| origin = unknown
| classis = Magnoliopsida
| subdivision = Many; see text.
| ordo = Brassicales
| familia = Brassicaceae
| genus = Brassica
| species = oleracea
}}
'''Cauliflower''' is a variety (Botrytis Group) of ''[[Brassica oleracea]]'' in the family [[Brassicaceae]] (the same species as [[broccoli]], which it strongly resembles). It is an [[annual plant]] that reproduces by seeds. Typically, only the head (the ''white curd'') is eaten while the stalk and surrounding thick, green leaves are discarded.
'''Cauliflower''' is a variety (Botrytis Group) of ''[[Brassica oleracea]]'' in the family [[Brassicaceae]] (the same species as [[broccoli]], which it strongly resembles). It is an [[annual plant]] that reproduces by seeds. Typically, only the head (the ''white curd'') is eaten while the stalk and surrounding thick, green leaves are discarded. Cauliflower is extremely nutritious, and may be eaten cooked, raw or [[pickling|pickled]].
==Cultivation==
The preferred garden soil for cauliflower is well drained, moist, has significant organic matter with a pH of 6 to 7. Cauliflower is typically started indoors six to eight weeks prior to setting out in the garden and is typically ready for harvest two months after transplanting. As with all brassicas, seeds germinate best with a soil temperature of 25±1 °C (77±2 °F). The vegetable requires a cool, moist climate - if temperatures go too high the plants will not produce flower heads, if too low a temperature is reached, the plants might button, creating small heads. It is cold tolerant, but will not survive hard frosts. Of all the brassicas, cauliflowers have the largest number of growth requirements, and the ability to successfully grow cauliflower in a home garden is often thought to be the hallmark of well-managed soil and a good gardener.
The preferred garden soil for cauliflower is well drained, moist, has significant organic matter with a pH of 6 to 7. Cauliflower is typically started indoors six to eight weeks prior to setting out in the garden and is typically ready for harvest two months after transplanting. As with all brassicas, seeds germinate best with a soil temperature of 25±1 °C (77±2 °F). The vegetable requires a cool, moist climate - if temperatures go too high the plants will not produce flower heads, if too low a temperature is reached, the plants might button, creating small heads. It is cold tolerant, but will not survive hard frosts. Of all the brassicas, cauliflowers have the largest number of growth requirements, and the ability to successfully grow cauliflower in a home garden is often thought to be the hallmark of well-managed soil and a good gardener.
The most common insect pests of cauliflower are [[cabbage worm]]s. Aphids and flea beetles will also attack cauliflower. Control can be achieved by using biological controls like Bt (''Bacillus thurengensis''), predatory insects or chemical pesticides. Diseases of cauliflower include black rot, club root and viral yellows. Crop rotation helps to prevent fungal and bacterial diseases. Viral diseases are primarily spread by insects.
The most common insect pests of cauliflower are [[cabbage worm]]s. Aphids and flea beetles will also attack cauliflower. Control can be achieved by using biological controls like Bt (''Bacillus thurengensis''), predatory insects or chemical pesticides. Diseases of cauliflower include black rot, club root and viral yellows. Crop rotation helps to prevent fungal and bacterial diseases. Viral diseases are primarily spread by insects.
===Commercial production===
===Propagation===
By seed.
===Pests and diseases===
== Botanical varieties ==
== Botanical varieties ==
===Different colors===
===Different colors===
[[Image:Graffiti 1.jpg|thumb|200px|Purple cultivar 'Graffiti']]
*Green cauliflower of the ''B. oleracea'' Botrytis group, called "Romanesco" has been commercially available in Europe since about 1990. Its head is a nice example of a [[fractal]] image in nature, repeating itself in [[self-similarity]] at varying scales.<ref>{{cite web | author = John Walker | title = Fractal Food: Self-Similarity on the Supermarket Shelf | url
*Green cauliflower of the ''B. oleracea'' Botrytis group, called "Romanesco" has been commercially available in Europe since about 1990. Its head is a nice example of a [[fractal]] image in nature, repeating itself in [[self-similarity]] at varying scales.<ref>{{cite web | author = John Walker | title = Fractal Food: Self-Similarity on the Supermarket Shelf | url
= http://www.fourmilab.ch/images/Romanesco/ | accessdate = August 28 | accessyear = 2006 }}</ref>
= http://www.fourmilab.ch/images/Romanesco/ | accessdate = August 28 | accessyear = 2006 }}</ref>
*Orange cauliflower (''B. oleracea'' L. var. ''botrytis'') called "Orange Bouquet" is available in [[North America]], sporting 25 times the level of [[Vitamin A]] of white varieties. This variety is a [[hybrid]] of a [[swamp]]-growing [[mutant]] found in [[Canada]] and a standard white cauliflower. Another orange cultivar goes by the name "Cheddar".
*Orange cauliflower (''B. oleracea'' L. var. ''botrytis'') called "Orange Bouquet" is available in [[North America]], sporting 25 times the level of [[Vitamin A]] of white varieties. This variety is a [[hybrid]] of a [[swamp]]-growing [[mutant]] found in [[Canada]] and a standard white cauliflower. Another orange cultivar goes by the name "Cheddar".
*[[Purple cauliflower]] also exists, originating in Southern Italy. The purple color is caused by the presence of the antioxidant group [[anthocyanin]], which can also be found in [[red cabbage]] and [[red wine]].<ref>[http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?SEQ_NO_115=179842 Anthocyanin in Cauliflower]</ref>
*[[Purple cauliflower]] also exists, originating in Southern Italy. The purple color is caused by the presence of the antioxidant group [[anthocyanin]], which can also be found in [[red cabbage]] and [[red wine]].<ref>[http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?SEQ_NO_115=179842 Anthocyanin in Cauliflower]</ref>
==External links==
==External links==
* [http://arxiv.org/pdf/cond-mat/0411597 Fractal dimensions of a green broccoli and a white cauliflower (Kim)] (PDF)
* [http://arxiv.org/pdf/cond-mat/0411597 Fractal dimensions of a green broccoli and a white cauliflower (Kim)] (PDF)
* [http://bip.cnrs-mrs.fr/bip10/choles.htm Cholesterol in Plants]
* [http://bip.cnrs-mrs.fr/bip10/choles.htm Cholesterol in Plants]