1. Cauliflower will not head in the heat. 2. It needs those leaves. In most areas the imported cabbage worm if not controlled will destroy cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage. Cabbage looper is not as prevalent but can be equally destructive. Bt works wonders. as do row covers. 3. Most varieties of cauliflower will head under 70 days from transplant.

I would Check your variety. If its past its DTM or your temps are holding around 90 or above pull and start over.

Cauliflower - and most other cabbage family plants - are cool season crops that do not do well in hot weather. You plant in very early spring for an early summer crop or now for a fall crop. If they haven't produced heads by now, they won't. Even in my very cool and mild summer weather, these plant do not thrive at this time of year.

OK, OUT. And maybe never again as they seem to be the hydrangea macrophylla of the vegetable world.

Ugh tell me about it! I give up already -- same with broccoli. Just can't get a good crop, and I've tried multiple times. Even under row cover, something got in there and made a mess of them this spring, who knows what.

I think that they are easy to grow in fertile soil...if you keep the pests off them and water frequently for the fall planting.

Broccoli is a bit easier than cauliflower but all brassicas are among the easiest vegetables to grow. Good soil prep, match the optimum growing season. Control cabbage worms, loopers and Harlequin bugs and you are good to go. They have average water needs.

Just keep trying, maybe with a fall crop. Bugs and mammals love destroying Cauliflower, you need to find means of defense.

Broccoli is way easier than Cauliflower I think, Broccoli grows like a weed in the heat and seems to suffer the pests better.

You asked when we gave up on Cauliflower. I gave up trying to grow them 40 years ago.

I've been gardening for over 50 years and I gave up on cauliflower over 45 years ago.