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Can You Grow Cauliflower From Scraps

You may have seen articles and videos about growing vegetables from scraps. It can be a fun way to reduce kitchen waste and save money. Lettuce, celery, green onions, and herbs are the most popular. Can you grow cauliflower from scraps?

You can easily grow cauliflower from scraps. A cauliflower stalk can be rooted in water and then planted in a pot or garden. The head won’t be full-size, but the plant may produce a few small heads.

It’s a simple way to get started with gardening.

Now that you know you can grow cauliflower from scraps, you may have other questions. Let’s dive in to learn how to grow this versatile vegetable, any problems to look out for, and more.

Why Grow Cauliflower?

Cauliflower is a member of the cruciferous family, like broccoli and cabbage. It’s a popular and healthy vegetable, providing vitamin C, folate, calcium, potassium, and fiber. It contains antioxidants that are protective against cancer and heart disease.

It’s become quite popular with those on the keto diet as a substitute for potatoes and rice.

How Do You Grow Cauliflower from Scraps?

Cauliflower can be grown from the stalk. One or more small heads will develop on the new plant, but they won’t be full-size when grown this way.

This can be a suitable method if you don’t have a garden but have space for a few large pots in a sunny spot.

You start with rooting the cutting in water. When roots and new leaves appear, it’s ready to be transplanted like you would a seedling.

Preparation of the Stalk

  1. Rinse the cauliflower.
  2. Cut the florets from the stalk and set them aside for cooking. Make sure there are no bits of the florets on the stem.
  3. Put water in a shallow bowl or container and place the cauliflower stalk in it.
  4. Place on a sunny windowsill.
  5. Check the top of the stem every day or two to see if it’s drying out. If it is, use a spray bottle with water to moisten it.
  6. Change the water every 3-4 days or if it looks cloudy.
  7. Be on the lookout for roots to form. It should take about a week.
  8. Once the roots are 2-3 inches long and new leaves start, transplant the stalk into a pot or garden.

Growing Requirements

Temperature

Cauliflower is a cool weather plant that likes the temperature to be below 80 degrees F. It is usually planted in early spring. Apply mulch to keep the soils cool and retain moisture.

Light

Cauliflower requires full sun, at least 6 hours per day.

Soil

Rich, well-draining soil is needed.

Water

Cauliflower needs consistent moisture. It will become bitter-tasting without enough water. Give it 1-2 inches of water per week.

Fertilizer

Feed the plant monthly with a balanced fertilizer or fish emulsion.

Can You Grow Cauliflower in a Pot?

Cauliflower is a large plant, but it has shallow roots. So, it can be grown in a pot. The pot should be large (12-18 inches wide and 8-12 inches tall) or a 5-gallon bucket. Make sure there’s a drain hole in the bottom.

Use commercial potting soil—water when the soil is dry until the water comes out of the drainage hole.

Transplanting to the Garden or a Pot

Take the rooted stalk out of the container carefully, so the roots aren’t damaged.

Plant the stalk, covering all the roots and up to the new leaves at the top. Add mulch to help the soil stay cool and prevent the plant from drying.

It will take about two months for the cauliflower to mature before you can harvest it.

Blanching Cauliflower

Blanching is used to protect the head from the sun and keep the cauliflower head white. Start this when the head is two inches. Pull large outside leaves up around it and use string or a clothespin to hold it in place.

Don’t make them too tight; allow a little space for the head to grow. Check once in a while for any insects under these leaves.

Cauliflower Pests and Diseases

Pests that can plague cauliflower are cabbage maggots and cabbage worms. Young transplants are susceptible to aphids and flea beetles—groundhogs like cauliflower. You may need fencing or a cage around the plant if they are in your area.

Diseases that can affect cauliflower are blackleg, black rot, and club root.

Final Thoughts

It is possible to grow a cauliflower plant from scraps. It’s a simple process. The new cauliflower head won’t be as large as the original, but there may be a few small heads rather than one larger one.

Cauliflower is a tasty and nutritious vegetable to grow in your garden. If you don’t have a garden, growing a plant in a pot using this method is an easy way to begin gardening.

Other vegetables can be grown from scraps, also. Some, like celery, lettuce, and green onions, can be grown in water without transplanting into a pot or the garden. You can save money and have less kitchen waste using this method to grow cauliflower and other vegetables. If you have cauliflower on hand, you can get started today.

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