{"product_id":"cauliflower-alpha-1764","title":"Cauliflower Alpha Seeds","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrassica oleracea var. botrytis\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlpha is an early, quick-growing Cauliflower producing small, dense white heads of excellent quality. The tightly formed curds have a fine texture and mild flavour, with plants maturing in approximately 68 days. Its relatively compact size and quick growth make Alpha particularly useful for smaller gardens and successive plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCauliflower has been cultivated in the Mediterranean for centuries and became particularly associated with Italy before spreading throughout Europe. Mark Twain famously described it as “cabbage with a college education”, an apt description for this somewhat refined member of the \u003cem\u003eBrassica oleracea\u003c\/em\u003e family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe firm white heads have a mild, slightly sweet flavour and are exceptionally versatile in the kitchen. Enjoy raw, steamed, roasted, grilled, pickled, mashed, added to curries and soups or baked whole. The leaves and tender stems are also edible and need not be discarded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlpha performs best when its main head development occurs during cooler weather. In much of Australia, successive sowings beginning in late summer can provide an extended harvest through the cooler months. Plants prefer full sun, fertile, well-drained soil with a near-neutral pH and consistent moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximately 90 seeds per packet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen to Plant (Australia)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTropics: Autumn to winter in cooler locations\u003cbr\u003eSubtropics: Late summer to autumn\u003cbr\u003eMild climates: Late summer to autumn, with successive sowings into the cooler months\u003cbr\u003eCold climates: Spring to early summer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting \/ Sowing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow directly or raise in trays, approximately 5–10 mm deep. Keep consistently moist during germination and establishment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTransplant or thin seedlings to approximately 40–50 cm apart in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Maintain consistent moisture throughout growth, as water stress can affect head development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs white heads begin to form, loosely fold or tie the surrounding leaves over the curd to protect it from strong sunlight and help maintain its white colour. Harvest while heads are firm, compact and tightly formed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf saving seed, remember that Cauliflower will cross-pollinate readily with other compatible \u003cem\u003eBrassica oleracea\u003c\/em\u003e varieties, so adequate isolation is required to maintain the variety true to type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaturity: approximately 68 days.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDue to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eden Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Packet","offer_id":46375901659354,"sku":"prefix_681c1f733a5650.51685274","price":3.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5g","offer_id":46375901692122,"sku":"prefix_681c1f733a56c0.74079263","price":6.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20g","offer_id":46375901724890,"sku":"prefix_681c1f733a56f7.54733468","price":21.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":46375901757658,"sku":"prefix_681c1f733a5710.24931157","price":85.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/4866\/8890\/files\/download_38de02c9-662f-412c-aef2-89ef418d18cb.jpg?v=1754016942","url":"https:\/\/www.edenseeds.com.au\/products\/cauliflower-alpha-1764","provider":"Eden Seeds ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}