{"product_id":"cauliflower-purple-sicily-1379","title":"Cauliflower Purple Sicily 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\u003ePurple Sicily, also known as Violet Sicilian, is a striking Italian heirloom Cauliflower producing large, tightly formed heads in rich shades of violet to deep purple. Vigorous plants produce substantial heads weighing up to approximately 1.3 kg and are generally considered more forgiving to grow than many traditional white Cauliflowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe beautiful purple colouring comes from naturally occurring anthocyanins, the same antioxidant pigments found in purple cabbage, blueberries and other deeply coloured plant foods. The curds have a sweet, mild flavour and can be enjoyed raw or cooked. The vivid purple is best retained when eaten raw or only lightly cooked, while longer cooking transforms the heads towards green. The leaves and tender stems are also edible.\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\u003ePurple Sicily performs best when its main head development occurs during cooler weather. Plants prefer full sun, fertile, well-drained soil with a near-neutral pH and consistent moisture. Unlike white Cauliflowers, the purple heads do not need to be blanched by tying the surrounding leaves over the developing curd.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximately 40 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 45–60 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\u003eHarvest when the purple heads are firm, compact and tightly formed, before the individual florets begin to separate.\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 100 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":46649663684826,"sku":null,"price":3.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/4866\/8890\/files\/V_Cauliflower_PurpleSicily.jpg?v=1772495063","url":"https:\/\/www.edenseeds.com.au\/products\/cauliflower-purple-sicily-1379","provider":"Eden Seeds ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}