Why cabbage doesn't set into a head and what to do to fix it

In order for the cabbage heads to turn out big and large, you need to plant the seedlings in time and choose the right place for the vegetable. But it happens that the heads of cabbage do not set. To correct the situation, you need to find the cause and eliminate it. Read our article about why cabbage does not set into a head and what to do in this case.

Signs that cabbage is not setting well

To understand whether a head of cabbage is forming, just look at the center. The main sign that there will most likely not be an ovary is the formation of a rosette of small leaves in the very middle. In addition, the stem grows upward, and the leaves in the middle may show signs of rotting or drying out.

In some cases, instead of one large head of cabbage, several small ones are formed, which is also considered a deviation from the norm.

Why cabbage doesn't set heads: reasons

The reasons for stopping the vegetative period of cabbage may be different., from improper care to plant damage by various pests and diseases.

Cabbage planted at the wrong time

Cabbage has a large number of varieties, which are divided into groups - early-ripening, mid-ripening and late-ripening. If you plant a crop without taking into account the recommendations, this may cause a lack of ovaries.

Planting dates for cabbage are as follows::

• early – from April 25 to May 5;
• mid-season - the last two weeks of May;
• late - from the end of May to June 5.

The risk is especially high if non-compliance planting dates early varieties. If you do this earlier than the recommended period, the cabbage will die from frost.

Lack of light

Cabbage is an extremely light-loving vegetable, so you should not plant it in areas where there is no direct sunlight most of the day. It is not recommended to place tall plants next to it that block sunlight.

Micronutrient deficiency

The reason for the lack of ovaries in a crop may be a lack of essential microelements in the soil. Deficiency is determined by the following criteria:

1. Small heads of cabbage with dried edges and areas near the leaf veins indicate a potassium deficiency.
2. The heads or heads of cauliflower are small and rusty in color - signs of boron deficiency.
3. If the leaves of cabbage are destroyed and the head of cabbage turns out very soft, this may be a sign of molybdenum deficiency. Cauliflower suffers most often from this.
4. With a severe lack of calcium in the soil, the edges of the leaves darken and gradually die. Cabbage stops growing and heads of cabbage do not form. Almost all types of vegetables are susceptible to this, but Chinese cabbage suffers especially severely from calcium deficiency.

To avoid micronutrient deficiencies, you need observe crop rotation rules and apply fertilizing on time.

Bad Seeds

Poor quality planting material can also cause the plant to fail to set heads. That's why It is best to purchase seeds from trusted producerswhich have a good reputation in the market.

Besides, You should not plant seeds that have been stored for several years, since they not only germinate poorly, but also produce weak plants.Such seedlings do not form heads and most often die.

Inappropriate landing site

Cabbage is a finicky vegetable; it requires careful selection of its planting location. To make the plant strong, healthy and with good heads of cabbage, the following rules must be observed:

1. You cannot plant cabbage after horseradish, carrots, rutabaga, turnips, radishes, pumpkins and zucchini. The best predecessors for it are cucumbers, potatoes, parsley, garlic, onions and legumes.
2. The plant can be planted in the same place for up to four years in a row.
3. Choose a well-lit place for planting.

Increased soil acidity

The soil for cabbage should be slightly acidic with a low alkali content.. The optimal acidity level (pH) is 6-6.5. To normalize it, it is necessary to add calcium nitrate granules to the soil.

Soil too dense, etc.

Cabbage does not like too dense soil; it grows poorly in it and does not form heads. Light and loose soil, which is obtained from a mixture of the following components, is considered optimal:

• pieces of foam;
• expanded clay;
• turf;
• leaf humus;
• hydrogel;
• vermiculite;
• perlite and others.

This soil composition allows the roots of the plant to develop, which ensures normal growth and formation of a head of cabbage.

Important! To prevent the top layer from hardening, the soil must be carefully loosened periodically so as not to touch the roots of the plant.

What to do to get cabbage to set

In most cases, knotting problems are easy to fix.. To do this, you need to take the advice of experienced gardeners.

Elimination of causes

Many causes of poor fork formation are preventable. For this comply with the following rules:

1. Buy good quality seeds without signs of rotting, damage, even and regular shape.
2. Maintain crop rotation.
3. Choose the right place and time of landing.
4. Apply fertilizing and watering in a timely manner.
5. At the first signs of disease or the appearance of insects, treat the plantings with special preparations.

If you follow all the rules for growing cabbage, the harvest will be good and the heads of cabbage will be strong.

What to water and feed

An important point when growing cabbage is timely feeding. fertilizers, ready-made mineral compounds.

Most effective:

• nitroammophoska;
• "Growth-1";
• nitrophoska;
• urea;
• ammonium nitrate;
• superphosphate.

Optimal the dosage of preparations for preparing the nutrient solution is indicated on the packaging. In order not to damage the plant, it is necessary to strictly follow it.

Important! The first feeding is carried out only 14 days after planting seedlings into the ground after it gets stronger.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies are as effective as ready-made drugs. The best fertilizers for this vegetable:

1. Manure. It can be used several times when digging the soil in the fall and planting, as well as during plant growth in the form of watering at the root. To prepare a nutrient solution, a small amount of manure is poured into 10-15 liters of water and left for 2-3 days. Then 1 liter of concentrate is diluted in 10 liters of water and watered the plants. The first feeding is carried out two weeks after planting the seedlings in a permanent place, the second - after another two weeks.
2. Nettle infusion. To do this, cut the grass, put it in a deep container, add a little water and leave it in the open sun for several days. Then 100 ml of concentrate is diluted in 10 liters of water and watered over the plants.
3. Yeast.To prepare the composition, add 10 liters of water to 100 g of yeast and add 1 tbsp. l. sugar and leave until fermentation occurs. For irrigation, 250 ml of concentrate is diluted in 10 liters of water.
4. Boric acid. To form cabbage ovaries, you can spray with a nutrient solution from this drug. To prepare it, 2 tbsp. l. The powder is diluted in 2 liters of hot water, then another 9 liters are added and the plants are treated.

It is best to water cabbage with nutrients in the evening.. The soil must be moist.

Interesting things on the site:

The best green manure after cabbage in the fall

What to plant after cabbage next year

Useful tips from experienced gardeners

To get a rich cabbage harvest, a novice gardener needs to pay attention to advice from experts in this field:

1. Cabbage needs to be watered abundantly and evenly.
2. To normalize acidity and prevent diseases in the fall, it is necessary to add lime to the soil according to the scheme of 5 kg per 10 square meters. m.
3. During the growth period, plants must be watered with organic and mineral compounds.
4. Periodically loosen the soil, ensuring normal air access to the roots.

Conclusion

Heads of cabbage do not set for a number of reasons: poor-quality seeds, inappropriate time and place of planting, deficiency of microelements and water, dense and acidic soil. If the causes are eliminated in time, productivity can be stimulated. The main thing is a bright place and abundant watering, feeding with organic matter and ready-made mixtures, soil deoxidation and loosening. Compliance with these recommendations will provide even a novice gardener with a rich harvest.