Romanesco Broccoli Head displaying it's mosaic pattern.

The Author displaying a Romanesco Broccoli Head in a Brassicas patch.

DESCRIPTION
Romanesco Broccoli has slightly waxy large grey green leaves similar in appearance to Cauliflower leaves. When the plant  is approaching maturity it forms a single head about twenty to thirty centimetres across that has a slightly green hue and a wonderful mosaic pattern.  It is a member of the Brassicas Family Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts.


GROWING CONDITIONS
Romanesco Broccoli require  cooler conditions to do well.  Here in the BALLARAT DISTRICT it is planted to mature as a winter crop.   It prefers a well drained soil that is not too acid. 


CULTIVATION
Preparing the bed.
Unless you have very alkali soil add some agricultural lime, dolomite or ash from your fireplace to raise the PH of your soil.  For fertiliser apply some blood and bone.  Do not add any sheep, cow or chicken manure or only a small amount if that's all you have as they are very acidic and will lower the PH of your soil.

Planting and Growing
Romanesco Broccoli can be seeded directly into the soil or raised in seedling tray and planted out as seedlings the author's preferred option.  If you are using a seedling tray don't forget to add some lime or dolomite to your propagating mixture to raise the PH. Planting times for Romanesco Broccoli seeds and seedlings are the same  as for CAULIFLOWER.  As they are fairly big plants allow about forty to fifty centimetres square for each plant.  Romanesco Broccoli seedlings can be grown in a heavily mulched soil but the author prefers to use the cycle mulching method, only applying a heavy mulch after the seedlings have become established.  As they are quite hungry and thirsty plants feed them a liquid fertiliser every two or three weeks and water them regularly.

Pest Control.
Romanesco Broccoli is prayed upon by the Cabbage moth.  This is a particularly destructive insect and is one of the few garden pests that has to be actively controlled at all stages  The author recommends that you dust seedlings and you young plants with derris dust and then apply Bacillus thuringiensis  marketed under the brand name Dipel when plants get larger.

Bacillus thuringiensis is a biological insecticide that is deadly to the Cabbage  moth.  The beauty of it is that it is not a broad spectrum insecticide.  While it is deadly to the Cabbage moth it  will not harm other insects such as Lady Beetles, and Lacewings.

Harvesting.
Romanesco Broccoli is usually ready for harvesting in about four months, when the head has formed into a hard ball.  Cut the head off at the base and use it chopped up in a stir fry, steamed or in a white sauce like Cauliflower.  Romanesco Broccoli doesn't put out very many secondary shoots, so once the main head has been harvested remove and compost the plant and prepare the bed for your next crop.