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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: George the Pigman on February 14, 2020, 19:29:37

Title: Red Cabbages not heading up properly
Post by: George the Pigman on February 14, 2020, 19:29:37

Over the last couple of years I have had problems with my overwintering red cabbages not heading up properly. They produce lots of outer leaves but very small heads or no heads at all.
Has anyone an idea why this might be happening?

Title: Re: Red Cabbages not heading up properly
Post by: Beersmith on February 14, 2020, 21:16:40

It could be worth checking your timing.  On what dates did you originally sow, plant out, etc?

Growth is always rather slow in winter.  If a late autumn / winter cabbage has not formed a reasonable head by October you cannot expect much to happen during the cold winter months.

But loose leafy growth could also be a sign the roots are not in sufficiently firm ground.

Title: Re: Red Cabbages not heading up properly
Post by: George the Pigman on February 15, 2020, 17:33:38

They were planted out in Late Summer. Previously I used to plant them out this time of year and they headed up OK
My other brassicas did reasonably well. Our plot as it is clay soil so ideal for brassicas (more of a problem for root veg!)

Title: Re: Red Cabbages not heading up properly
Post by: pumkinlover on February 17, 2020, 12:16:15

Have you changed variety?

Title: Re: Red Cabbages not heading up properly
Post by: saddad on February 17, 2020, 13:58:02

I like to get mine out by the end of May... so they head up by October... my recent problems are with the mild Winters they are continuing to grow and split... causing extra slug damage and rotting.

Title: Re: Red Cabbages not heading up properly
Post by: George the Pigman on February 17, 2020, 17:37:10

The year before last I grew Ruby Ball from seed and it headed up poorly. Last year I had a germination failure so I bought some plants from the garden centre, otherwise I would have been very late in planting.
Can anyone recommend a variety. I am about to start buying seeds for this coming year!

Title: Re: Red Cabbages not heading up properly
Post by: saddad on February 17, 2020, 18:23:26

I've always had a good result from "Red Drumhead"...

Title: Re: Red Cabbages not heading up properly
Post by: George the Pigman on February 19, 2020, 22:13:48

Well Saddad I've just bought some Red Drumhead seed from a local family run garden centre. Our allotment society arranges an Allotmenteers Night with them and we get reductions on seeds, compost etc (50% in the case of the Red Drumhead seed!)
We'll see how it goes.

Title: Re: Red Cabbages not heading up properly
Post by: saddad on February 20, 2020, 07:54:42

Fingers crossed... try to get them out into their final positions by the end of May...

Title: Re: Red Cabbages not heading up properly
Post by: saddad on February 28, 2020, 07:40:11

Finally lifted my last Red Drumhead yesterday, a good solid 3kg. There were a couple more in the bed but they had split and started going to seed. Going into town to get some belly pork to keep it company.. :happy7: