Flowering Cauliflower
Fioretto Cauliflower is a distinctive cultivar bred specifically to harvest as individual florets rather than a single compact head. In about 70 days, this cream-colored variety produces heads that separate cleanly into floret sections, making it remarkably practical in the kitchen. Grow it in full sun with rich, well-drained soil and consistent moisture, and you'll have a cauliflower that simplifies both harvest and preparation.
Full Sun
Moderate
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?in H x ?in W
Perennial
High
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Unlike traditional cauliflower varieties that form tight, monolithic heads, Fioretto has been deliberately bred to break apart into individual floret sections as it matures. This trait alone transforms how you harvest and use the plant; rather than cutting and trimming a single large head, you're harvesting naturally separated pieces that are ready to use. The cream-colored florets emerge and expand at their own pace, giving you flexibility in when to harvest while the plant continues producing.
Fioretto's florets are designed to be used fresh or cooked. Because they divide cleanly and naturally into individual sections, they're less fussy to prep than standard cauliflower; there's no wrestling with a large head or trimming away excess stem. The florets work beautifully roasted, steamed, added to stir-fries, or served raw with dip.
Start seeds 4 to 5 weeks before your last expected frost. Sow seeds 1 inch apart in seed starting mix and cover with 1/4 inch of soil. Keep the mix moist but not soggy, and provide strong light until seedlings are ready to transplant. Once seedlings have 2 to 3 sets of true leaves, acclimate them to outdoor conditions before transplanting.
Transplant seedlings 12 to 18 inches apart into the garden in full sun. In mild winter climates, you can also sow seeds again in mid-summer for a fall crop.
Harvest Fioretto when the cream-colored heads have expanded and the florets begin to separate. The variety's defining trait is that it divides cleanly and easily into individual floret sections, so you can cut or separate pieces as they reach your desired size rather than harvesting a single large head all at once.
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