Approximate storage life under these conditions is 3 to 4 weeks. A good yield would be 7 to 8 tons per acre. Nearly three-fourths of the cauliflower grown in the United States is grown in the coastal valleys of California where temperatures and other environmental conditions are fairly constant over the growing season. The variable temperatures and moisture levels of the southern states are far from ideal for cauliflower production, especially in the spring. Some of the problems caused by this environmental variability are presented in this section.
Temperature is particularly critical for successful production of cauliflower.
Transplants exposed to cold are large and thick stemmed with attached leaves. The growing point may be killed, by cold or other stresses, resulting in 'blindness'. Early maturing cultivars such as 'White Contessa' and 'Stovepipe' are most susceptible. Temperatures too low during curd development cause internode elongation and open curds. In fact, any stress that slows growth will decrease the head quality, making them small or open.