Skywalker F1 (Coated) Certified Organic Main Cauliflower Vegetables Seeds - West Coast Seeds

PRODUCT DETAILS

Skywalker Organic cauliflower seeds are CERTIFIED ORGANIC! This hybrid cauliflower is perfect for late summer or fall harvests. It's a big, hefty variety with large leaves that partially wrap the medium sized heads. These are densely packed with tight, white curds. The plants are uniform and well adapted for growing regions across North America. In our field trials, the large plants all matured at the identical rate so harvest was very simple. For the home gardener it might be better to plant three or four short rows at two to three week intervals so the crop doesn't come all at once. Skywalker is cold tolerant and resistant to Fusarium Wilt and Fusarium Yellows.

These seeds are coated with an inert, organically certified layer which helps to minimize clumping in storage and seed sowing machines. The coating is approved by organic certifiers in Canada, the US, EU, and Japan.

Matures in 75 days. (Hybrid seeds)

• Hybrid uniformity
• Matures in 75 days
• Partially self blanching
• Best for late season harvests

All About Skywalker Coated Organic

• Latin

  Brassica oleracea var. botrytis Family: Brassicaceae

• Difficulty

  Moderately difficult

• Season & Zone

  Season: Cool season. Exposure: Full-sun. Zone: Overwintering types are only hardy down to -12 to -19°C (16 to -5°F).

• Timing

  Start indoors four weeks before the last frost to late spring. Transplant in 5-6 weeks. Direct seed when temperatures are reliably above 10°C (50°F). Overwintering types are started in July where winters are mild, and transplanted by August 15th. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C (50-85°F). Seeds should germinate in 7-10 days.

• Starting

  Sow 3-4 seeds 5mm (¼”) deep in each spot you want a plant to grow. Thin to the strongest plant. Space transplants 45-60cm (18-24″) apart in rows 60-90cm (24-36″) apart.

• Days to Maturity

  From transplant date.

• Growing

  Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Humus-rich soil amended with composted manure is best. Mix ½ cup of complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant. From seedling to harvest, cauliflower must grow steadily to make a large plant and curd. If growth slows, scratch additional fertilizer into the surface of the soil around each plant. Maintain even soil moisture with regular watering. Shade the developing curds from sun by tying up leaves or using newspaper. This is known as “blanching,” and will keep them white. Add 20-25 days to the maturity dates if direct sowing.

• Harvest

  Once curd forms, check every day and cut when the florets are just beginning to separate. At this point the flavour is at peak quality and the size is maximum.

• Seed Info

  In optimal conditions, at least 80% of seeds should germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years. Per 100′ row: 200 seeds, per acre: 44M seeds.

• Diseases & Pests

  • Slugs and snails – Slugs are attracted to beer, so place a little beer in a cup dug into the ground. Sprinkle broken eggshells around plants to deter slugs and snails.
  • Flea beetles – Use row covers to help protect plants from early damage. Put in place at planting and remove before temperatures get too hot in midsummer. Control weeds.
  • Cabbage root maggot – White maggots (larvae) attack all plants of the cabbage family. Larvae tunnel in and feed on roots of plants. Damage causes wilting early on, death of plants a little later on.
  • Cabbage aphids – A hard stream of water can be used to remove aphids from plants. Wash off with water occasionally as needed early in the day. Check for evidence of natural enemies such as gray-brown or bloated parasitized aphids and the presence of alligator-like larvae of lady beetles and lacewings.
  • Cabbageworms – Hand-pick and destroy. Row covers may be useful on small plantings to help protect plants from early damage. Put in place at planting and remove before temperatures get too hot in midsummer.

• Companion Planting

  All Brassicas benefit from chamomile, dill, mint, rosemary, and sage. Avoid planting near eggplants, peppers, potatoes, or tomatoes.