If you think veggies are boring, then you've never seen the likes of Romanesco broccoli. See the way each little peak spirals around? And then notice how each little bunch then spirals around the whole head? This is called a fractal form, or a self-similar pattern. There are lots of examples in nature of fractal forms, but I think the Romanesco broccoli is one of the coolest, because you can get right up close to it and admire it for as long as you want, and then you can eat it!
Romanesco broccoli is not really a true broccoli, it's more properly classified as a cauliflower, and a lot of people do know it as such. I can tell by the way it grows that it's a cauliflower. The plant is much larger than a broccoli - about 0.90m in height when mature - and once the main head is cut, that's it. This beauty is so interesting, with a nice nutty flavor, that it's worth it.
How to grow and keep Romanesco Broccoli happy
Broccoli grows best and produces highest yields when temperatures do not exceed 25°C and is not seriously damaged by temperatures down to -2°C. High summer temperatures reduce growth, decrease quality, and cause loose heads to form, which taste bitter.
Water: Water broccoli deeply and infrequently while trying to maintain even soil moisture. About 1-2 inches of water are required per week. Use drip irrigation if possible to conserve water. Applying mulch around the plant also helps conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth.
Fertilization: Apply 1 cup per 10 feet of row of a nitrogen-based fertilizer (21-0-0 or 34-0-0) 4 weeks after transplanting or thinning to encourage vigorous plant growth. Apply an additional ¼ cup of nitrogen fertilizer when the broccoli head is the size of a quarter. After harvesting the main head, apply additional nitrogen fertilizer to encourage side shoot development. Place the fertilizer 6 inches to the side of the plant and irrigate it into the soil.
Mulches and Row Covers: Plastic mulches help conserve water, reduce weed growth and allow earlier planting and maturity, especially with transplants. Hot caps and fabric covers are used to protect seedlings and transplants from frosts. Fabric covers also protect young plants from insect pests. Apply organic mulches when temperatures rise. These will cool the soil and reduce water stress. Organic mulches such as grass clippings, straw, and shredded newspaper also help control weeds.
(http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/HG_Garden_2005-01.pdf)
Water: Water broccoli deeply and infrequently while trying to maintain even soil moisture. About 1-2 inches of water are required per week. Use drip irrigation if possible to conserve water. Applying mulch around the plant also helps conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth.
Fertilization: Apply 1 cup per 10 feet of row of a nitrogen-based fertilizer (21-0-0 or 34-0-0) 4 weeks after transplanting or thinning to encourage vigorous plant growth. Apply an additional ¼ cup of nitrogen fertilizer when the broccoli head is the size of a quarter. After harvesting the main head, apply additional nitrogen fertilizer to encourage side shoot development. Place the fertilizer 6 inches to the side of the plant and irrigate it into the soil.
Mulches and Row Covers: Plastic mulches help conserve water, reduce weed growth and allow earlier planting and maturity, especially with transplants. Hot caps and fabric covers are used to protect seedlings and transplants from frosts. Fabric covers also protect young plants from insect pests. Apply organic mulches when temperatures rise. These will cool the soil and reduce water stress. Organic mulches such as grass clippings, straw, and shredded newspaper also help control weeds.
(http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/HG_Garden_2005-01.pdf)
