Description
The Orange Romanesco ‘Amo 125’ is a breeding breakthrough that offers the visually stunning fractal shape of Romanesco combined with the unique, vivid orange colour of certain cauliflower varieties.
Colour & Nutrition: The vibrant orange colour is due to high levels of beta-carotene, the precursor to Vitamin A, which enhances its nutritional value and makes it highly attractive. The colour and density hold up exceptionally well even after cooking.
Texture and Flavour: It has a dense, compact texture and a reputation for being sweeter, milder, and nuttier than both white cauliflower and traditional green Romanesco.
Aroma: A notable advantage is its low odour during cooking compared to standard brassicas.
Culinary Use: A gourmet favourite, perfect for adding colour to dishes. Ideal eaten raw as a healthy snack, or cooked by roasting, steaming (to preserve nutrients), or incorporating into traditional Sicilian recipes like bastaddi affucati (smothered cauliflower).
Growing Guide: Cauliflower and Romanesco are cool-season crops that require a long, uninterrupted growing period with consistent moisture and mild temperatures to form their heads.
When to Plant: Romanesco requires a long, cool season.
Ideal Time: Transplant seedlings from Late July through September/October. This allows the plant to establish its roots and grow foliage during the mild autumn and mature its head during the cool winter months (Harvest: November–February).
Note: Avoid planting too late, as growth can stall in the coldest weather, prolonging the cycle.
Location/Sun: Prefers a full sun position.
Soil: Requires a rich, heavy, and very fertile soil. Incorporate plenty of well-rotted manure or compost before planting. Romanesco does not tolerate acidic soil; if your soil is acidic, add lime.
Spacing: Requires a lot of space for its vigorous foliage:
Spacing: 45–50 cm (18–20 inches) between plants and 45–60 cm (18–24 inches) between rows.
Planting Tip: Plant the seedling deeply and firmly—ensure the soil around the base is well-firmed to stabilize the plant against wind.
Watering: Extremely demanding of water. The soil must be kept consistently moist throughout the entire growth cycle (115–125 days). Drought is the main cause of heads not forming properly or becoming “ricey.”
Feeding: Romanesco is a heavy feeder. Feed regularly with a high-nitrogen fertiliser early on to boost foliage, then switch to a fertiliser high in Phosphorus and Potassium just before the head starts to form.
Harvesting: The head is ready when the curd is dense, compact, and the edges of the spires are still tightly clustered.
Harvest promptly by cutting the head from the main stem once it reaches a good size, as delay can cause the head to loosen or go to seed.
Tip: This variety offers good natural head protection from its leaves.
