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Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

I'm growing a giant cabbage that until recently was growing very well. Over the past week the cabbage has started to curl up the leaves in the middle to create the cabbage ball. My concern is that it may be way too early for this to happen in order to get a nice size cabbage. My understanding is that the cabbage should be growing leaves from May to August and only then start to curl up into a ball. Any ideas what might be causing this premature maturing?

6/19/2012 10:32:29 AM

Littlerock, WA

Mine are getting heads on them and I think it's a good thing. It takes a long time to form a big, dense head.

6/19/2012 11:34:43 AM

Englehart, Ontario

Mine just started to make heads too. Last year, I remember that I thought it was too early but they turned out nice.

6/20/2012 7:41:31 AM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

Hi Peter,

I was noticing the same thing on my early cabbage. Earlier is better if you can keep them growing and from splitting. I am considering using some shade to try to keep them cooler as they are a cool weather loving crop.

Also, I am using Relief on them, which should help with this heat also.

John

6/20/2012 7:43:23 AM

Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

Hi John,

My cabbage get full sun from 10:am to about 4:00pm. I also have mosquito netting on them but I doubt it offers much shading. I mist all my plants at least three times a day when the sun is direct and it is hot out.

What is the cause of splitting?

6/20/2012 9:41:20 AM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

Splitting is caused by uneven moisture...i.e a dry spell followed by a big rain. Not really much different than big pumpkins. The trick is steady even moisture. I water mine ever few days with a 2-3 quarts of water. Big problem is getting moisture under the big leaves, as their root system is fairly localised. I am planning to put some weeping hose around the main root of min this year but I havent got it done yet. Also, you can feed them once a week with some 20-20-20. They dont respond to Mychorrisal collinization so you dont have to worry about damaging it with the water soluable fertilizer.

6/20/2012 5:14:12 PM

Western PA

I grew giant cabbages the past 2 years, (os cross, and megaton). They are fast growers and will be done growing before you know it.I would say they will be done in the middle of July.
I have a lot of pics in my 2010 diary of the growth and they are dated. Look under ZAPPA.

Keep them moist especially if you have the os cross variety, they split 2 years in a row on me.

6/21/2012 11:41:26 PM