Content
Cabbage cracks mainly due to improper care. If watering is irregular or excessive, the leaves of the crop grow unevenly. The heads of cabbage are poured too much and are literally squeezed, which is why they crack. This phenomenon is aggravated by temperature changes, long cool periods followed by heat. To avoid the formation of cracks, it is recommended to follow the watering norm and not overuse nitrogen fertilizers, especially in the second half of summer.
Why do cabbage heads crack in the garden?
There are not many reasons why white cabbage and other varieties of cabbage crack in the garden. They are mainly associated with violation of watering rules. For example, if you give water in large quantities or irregularly, the forks can actually crack. There are other factors leading to this phenomenon. The main ones are described below.
Irregular watering
Experienced summer residents note that cabbage forks crack at the root due to irregular watering.For example, in the heat, the plantings did not receive water all week, and then they were watered too much. Or, conversely, the weather is rainy outside, and there is too much rainfall for several days in a row.
As a result, excess moisture accumulates in the cabbage heads, causing them to literally burst from the inside. That's why the forks crack. This is especially common if irregular watering is accompanied by temperature changes.
As moisture is absorbed, all leaves grow very quickly. But the young lower leaves grow faster than the upper ones. Therefore, the cabbage is literally torn apart, and it cracks at the root.
Temperature changes
Early cabbage very often bursts due to temperature changes. Heads of cabbage begin to ripen already in June, when in many regions of Russia even night frosts are possible. If the drop is too strong, it can cause the head of cabbage to crack.
A similar phenomenon is observed with late varieties. At the end of August - beginning of September, coolness often sets in, which is observed at night, in the morning and even during the daytime. For example, if during the day the temperature did not rise above +20 for a long time, the forks grow at a slower rate.
After this, it may warm up to 25 and above, and the lower leaves will begin to grow again. But the upper ones have already stopped developing, as a result of which the cabbage cracks right in the garden.
Heads of cabbage may crack due to temperature changes
Delayed harvesting
Late cabbage cracks in August due to violations of harvesting deadlines. Each variety has its own specific timing that you need to know. You can clarify them in the description, as well as by consulting with experienced gardeners and learning from reviews.
If the head of cabbage remains in the garden for a long time, it becomes overripe and cracks.This is especially often observed in the case of early ripening crops. Their above-ground formation is completed quite quickly, while the root system continues to develop and absorb water and nutrients. This imbalance causes the forks to crack quickly.
Excess moisture
Cabbage heads burst in the garden due to excess moisture. If you don’t follow the watering norm and don’t follow the forecast (when it rains, there’s no need for extra moisture), the fork gets too much moisture and cracks. Therefore, it is important to carefully monitor the volume of water and try to underfill a little rather than overfill. This is done taking into account the fact that sometimes the rains can fall unpredictably.
Diseases
Sometimes cabbage cracks due to diseases of various natures: vascular bacteriosis, clubroot, fusarium wilt.
In this case, the cracking is accompanied by graying of the tips and other characteristic external signs. Such phenomena are especially often observed in dry and hot summers, as well as when growing crops in the southern regions.
What to do if white cabbage cracks on the vine
To prevent cabbage from cracking on the root, it is necessary to create the right care conditions. It is enough to ensure normal watering and avoid excessive moisture. On the other hand, the temperature factor cannot be influenced. If the weather in the region is often unpredictable, it is better to grow especially demanding cabbage varieties in greenhouses or greenhouses.
One of the conditions for a good harvest is regular and moderate watering.
Regular watering
Cabbage cracks due to irregular moisture. Normally, it needs to be watered once every three days, i.e. two times a week. Each plant consumes 4-5 liters. If the weather is rainy, you should navigate by the surface of the soil. When it is moist enough, excess moisture is not needed.
If there is a drought, water is given as needed, taking care not to allow complete drying out. For example, if the soil is cracking, this indicates a severe water shortage, which also cannot be allowed.
If possible, it is better to organize a drip irrigation system. It is this that simulates rain as much as possible and ensures a uniform supply of moisture directly to the rhizome. Such a system is especially in demand in cases where summer residents cannot regularly come to their plots.
If the lump holds its shape after being squeezed out, there is enough water, but if it crumbles into dust particles, watering is urgently needed. Otherwise, you can see the head of cabbage cracking right in the garden.
Water drainage
While watering can be adjusted, it is impossible to cope with heavy rains. Sometimes there is too much rainfall during the season. In this case, you need to take care of the drainage system. Cabbage beds are organized on a small hill and a mound is made. You should also dig grooves along the slope and line the bottom with small stones.
Choosing the right variety
There are certain varieties of cabbage whose heads crack because they have a genetic tendency. These include most varieties, including hybrids. But there are several varieties whose heads do not crack. This, for example. Kolobok, Albatross and Marathon.
Mulching
The soil must be mulched. To do this, pour a 5-7 cm layer of straw, hay or sawdust. Lay it out directly around the plantings to cover the area as much as possible. When watering, move it a little and give water. Sawdust and other materials gradually rot, so they are periodically (2-3 times per season) replaced with a new layer.
Mulch performs several functions at once:
- protects the soil from rapid drying out;
- prevents insect invasion;
- inhibits the growth of weeds;
- protects roots from temperature changes.
In hot weather, you can additionally cover each head with agro-fabric, burlap or other “breathable” material. This shades both the cabbage and the soil well. As a result, it retains moisture longer, less watering is required, and the head of cabbage does not crack.
Plantings can be mulched with straw
Timely harvesting
Since cabbage forks burst, including due to violations of the harvest deadline, it is better to plan the event in advance, taking into account the characteristics of the variety:
- early ripening - 90-110 days after germination;
- mid-season - 120-130 days;
- late – 140-180 days.
Root cutting
Another proven remedy is to cut the root. If there is too much rain, the saturated head of cabbage will crack. To avoid this, it is slightly bent and turned 50-60 degrees in each direction.
Fertilizer application
The head of cabbage often cracks due to a combination of several factors, for example, irregular watering and at the same time an excess of nitrogen fertilizers.It is important to remember that nitrogen fertilizing should be applied only in the early stages of growth, when the head of cabbage is just beginning to fill up. After this, you can only give superphosphate and potassium as part of complex fertilizers. Already in July, any nitrogen compounds are excluded.
The standard application schedule looks like this:
- The first feeding is given at the seedling stage, 10 days after picking. You can apply complex mineral fertilizer in liquid form according to the instructions. Instead, it is permissible to independently compose a mixture of the following components (per 3 liters of water): superphosphate (12 g), ammonium nitrate (7 g), potassium chloride (3 g).
- The second feeding is given after transplanting the seedlings into the ground. This time it is enough to add 2-3 g of ammonium nitrate dissolved in 1 liter. Accordingly, take 25-30 g of water per bucket. This volume is enough to water a small bed with an area of 2 m².
- As soon as the heads of cabbage begin to form, it is necessary to give superphosphate (40 g per 10 l) and potassium sulfate (30 g per 10 l). If the soil is fertile, one feeding is enough.
If you regularly give fertilizers in the correct ratio, the heads of cabbage will not crack.
Is it possible to store cracked cabbage?
If the heads of cabbage crack, they cannot be stored. Even if the right conditions are created, there is a high probability that they will rot. Therefore, such forks are used for preparing homemade preparations: pickled, pickled, dried cabbage, salads.
Conclusion
Cabbage cracks for various reasons, mainly due to excessive or irregular watering. But there may be other factors, such as illness or temperature changes. For prevention, it is recommended to organize drip irrigation, and if the summer in the region is characterized by frosts, grow cabbage heads in a greenhouse.
