Growing Romanesco Broccoli | How to Grow Romanesco

Learn how to grow romanesco, growing romanesco broccoli is rewarding. It is a very decorative and ornamental cauliflower with exotic taste.

USDA Zones — 3 – 11

Propagation Method — Seeds

Difficulty — Moderate

Other Names — Brassica oleracea botrytis (latin name), Romanesco broccoli Romanesco Cauliflower, Romanesque cauliflower, Buzzy Broc

Romanesco broccoli is also called “Broccoli Apple” and “Cauliflower with Turrets”. It is a Mediterranean plant, native to Italy, especially of Rome and is an Italian cousin of broccoli and cauliflower.
It is a very decorative and ornamental cauliflower with exotic taste. You can even grow it in the flower garden and admire it.

Romanesco is rich in vitamin C and minerals. It has a mild taste than other cauliflowers and slightly sweet flavor.

Planting

Seed sowing is done in spring and summer. If growing romanesco in cooler zones, sow the seeds 4 – 6 weeks prior to planting outside. Sow the seeds 2 cm deep. While planting the seedlings outside leave 50 cm (2 feet) of space in all directions.

If growing in subtropical and tropical zones you can plant it in fall or in winter.

Companion Plants

Dill, artichokes, chard, beet, borage, chamomile, nasturtium, carrot, celery, cucumber, spinach, beans, hyssop, lettuce, mint, marigold, oregano, peas, potatoes, rosemary, sage, thyme.

Incompatible Plants

Garlic, chives, shallots, strawberries, turnip, onion, parsnip, leek, radish, rutabaga, tomatoes.

Requirements for Growing Romanesco

Soil

Humus and compost rich soil that is well drained is recommended.

Sun

Growing romanesco in sunny spot for more yield.

Watering

Like most of the brassicas it enjoys frequent and regular watering.

Romanesco Care

Romanesco broccoli care is similar to other cauliflowers and cabbages.

Fertilizer

Mix compost and 10 – 10 – 10 slow release fertilizer at the time of planting. Fertilize it with high in nitrogen fertilizer one month after planting.

Mulching

Do mulching to keep the soil weed free and conserve moisture.

Pests and Diseases

Flea beetles, gall weevil, whiteflie, aphids and moths. Snails and slugs are fond of seedlings. Besides this it is infected by blight, clubroot and mildew.

Harvesting

Generally, romanesco is ready to harvest in 75 – 100 days after planting. Pick the head when they are tight and dense and use fresh as soon as possible.

Crop rotation

Romanesco greatly exhausts the soil and should not be planted on the same spot before 4 or 5 years.