FAQs on Cabbage Growing

This is a follow up article from how to grow cabbage. If you have not read that already please click here to go to that article. Here is a list of frequently asked questions about cabbage growing.

1. Why cabbage heads split? 
   
   
   The main cause of head splitting is that more water is entering into the head than necessary. A healthy root system though is necessary for the survival of the plant sometime too much growth of the root system can cause huge amount of water supply to the head. 
   
   
   To prevent the split you can pull the plant little bit to break some of its roots once the head becomes moderately firm. This will limit the water supply. If your plant roots are getting uneven water mulching might be a great way to solve this.
   
   
2. Can you get second crop from early cabbage plant? 
     
   Yes, getting a second head is possible. Once you got the primary solid one, cut carefully just beneath the head but leave the older leaves as it is. After sometime, you will get one or more smaller lateral heads (developed from axial buds of older leaves). 
    
3. What are different cabbage cutivars? 
   
   
   There are many cultivars but these three are the most common.
   White Cabbage: These are by far the most common types. They have pale green smooth leaves and are also called Dutch cabbage. 
   Savoy Cabbage: these have softer heads, crumpled leaves and a very rich flavor. 
   Red Cabbage: These have purple coloured small to medium size heads.
   
   
4. Why do butterfly fly around cabbage plant? 
   
   
   Cabbage worm lay eggs on the plants which hatches into worms and after sometimes turned into butterflies. So to prevent it you need to control the worms. Try different organic pest controlling techniques discussed in this article.
   
   
5. Why there are holes in my cabbage leaves? 
   
   
   This is also a pest attack. Worms chew the leaves of the cabbage plant leaving those occurred holes in the leaves. Try organic pest controlling to prevent this.
   
   
6. What causes cabbage to develop seed stalks rather than solid heads? 
   
   
   Generally, cabbage will either head up or go to seed at some point in time. If the temperature falls below 45 degrees it will start growing seeds instead of forming heads. 55 to 65 degrees are the ideal temperature slab for growing heads.
   
   
7. Why there are swelling in my cabbage roots? 
   
   
   This is a disease caused by a fungus that remains in the soil. It is spread by moving infested soil and by infected transplants. To discourage the disease, add lime to raise the soil pH to 6.8.

Hope you have enjoyed the article. If you have any other questions please add in the comment box.