Common name: |
Cabbage |
Vernacular Languages: |
Hindi:
Bandha Gobhi; Santhali:
Potom Kubi |
Botanical Name: |
Brassica oleracea var. capitata |
Family: |
Brassicaceae |
Soil Preparation: |
Cabbage will grow fine in a wide variety of soils but prefers well-drained, loam soils rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0 and above. Sandy soil produces earlier crops but heavier soils give a later but larger yield. |
Sowing: |
Sow cabbage seeds 1/2" deep in a flat pot, about 8-10 seeds in a pot. Germination takes about 4-14 days. Once the seedlings are about three to four inches tall, transplant them to their final pot. |
Planting: |
After about 4-6 weeks, transplant the cabbage seedlings into pots, planting one seedling in a pot. |
Climate: |
Cabbage is a cool season crop, but it will grow in most areas or places because of its adaptability to a wide range of climate and soils. |
Light: |
It can be grown in full sun to light shade. |
Watering: |
Even watering is the key to preventing cabbages from splitting and to produce good yeilds. |
Humidity: |
Cabbage is a heavy user of water, so, soil moisture of 60% needs to be maintained. |
Staking: |
Staking is not required for the plant. |
Fertilizing: |
Cabbage is a heavy feeder of phosphorus and require plenty of fertilizer during the growing period. A high level of phosphorus in the soil is essential. |
Pest and Problems: |
Cabbage worms are the main pest threat. They don't do a great deal of damage and can be hand picked easily, if you can see them. Their coloring allows them to blend in with the cabbage. |
Growth Habit: |
Cabbages produces large leafy plants. |
Harvesting: |
Cabbages are ready for harvesting when the hearts are firm. Lift the entire plant with a fork and cut the roots off at a later stage, or, cut the stem just above the base of the lower leaves, and discard the outer leaves which are too coarse for eating. |
Special Care: |
No special care is required for this vegetable. |
Medicinal Uses: |
In earlier days, crushed cabbage leaves and clay were mixed by hand and applied to the body to ease the pain of rheumatism. |
Click here to buy seeds for this plant. |