Harvesting Cabbages - Kakdah posing!

We kept them cabbages for far too long. It was the sight we wish to last forever, layers after layers, crowning the cabbage head at the top, welcoming everyone coming to the house. Four large containers with healthy looking cabbages attracted attention, whoever passing through the street. How we wish the plants to stay longer, but the time was up for the harvest. As usual Kakdah was ever ready to stand in as model,

Cabbage and Kakdah -1

Cabbage and Kakdah - posing -2

The photo session caught our neighbour's attention..!! -3

Kakdah and cabbage -4

Cabbage homegrown, seri kembangan -5

Beautiful display of homegrown cabbage. -6

Finally, what had been sown in March, was harvested in September, through a space of 6 months. One goes to Rose and another to Ila, both neighbour and friend. We keep two.

__________bangchik and kakdah__________

my little vegetable garden

seri kembangan

Kubis dalam pasu - CABBAGE IN POTS. Again.

Yes, we had bought more cabbage from the market than what we had grown ourselves .  That is a different story altogether.  Growing vegetables is fun. It is nice to be part of the green world, seeing vegetables growing in front of our own eyes.

It's cabbage now in our little garden. Huh,  It was one weeklong without rain, so Kakdah had to water them regularly.

next cabbage leaves will soon grow inwards to form cabbage head

cabbage

4 cabbages in pots

After growing cabbage several times, we can roughly guess which stage they in now. Spinach or kale will grow upwards over time. For cabbage, once the stem has grown strong and tough, it will grow inwards to form the cabbage head.

_______________bangchik and kakdah_______________

Growing cabbages in Johor

The four cabbages are Ok..., leaves getting bigger. I did regularly posts on cabbages following their phases and stages in Putrajaya. We had grown them in Tanah Merah and now Pasir Gudang Johor.

two month old cabbages

 Kadir, Syed and Sharifah's son is the one that will water our plants including cabbages whenever we had to be away. I had not personally said thank you to him yet..., and I guess it's like mutuality of understandings, words don't matter much. His boyish smile will warm anybody's heart... yea, that is Kadir, the young part-time gardener whenever we had to be away....

bangchik and kakdah

Pasir Gudang JOHOR

More vegetables to add.

Germinating indoor is useful during rainy season, where one can guarantee seeds let out roots and leaves popping up, and not washed away by rains. Seeds are queuing up, taking turn to see the light of day. Roselle, ulam raja, chili centil, lady's fingers, keladi, basil, kangkung and cekur had gone to the ground, doing well so far. Spinach and brinjal are still in germinating trays. Lettuce and cabbage are in bigger pots now.

SPINACH / BAYAM

CABBAGE / KUBIS

Cabbage

Quite a coincidence, everytime I set out to grow cabbage, only four manage to survive. Once in Putrajaya home, another in Tanah Merah. As if cabbage seedlings understand that I only have four large shallow pots to keep them. Fresh mixed soil is ready for them and by middle of the year,

 they should be ready for harvest.

LETTUCE / 

LETTUCE

LETTUCE

Lettuce

These are from the same variety I grew in Tanah Merah. I wasn't as 

ambitious as Tanah Merah days. 

Only 8 lettuce this time.

BRINJAL

BRINJAL

BRINJAL

The last one to germinate, with yellowish leaves.

BRINJAL seedlings, bowing to the sun.

A friend recently mentioned about not having green fingers, and another friend asked about three sisters concept and how to grow markisa from seeds.  I wish to elaborate what is green fingers all about. About growing markisa, a click on the label, will lead to my previous adventure. In fact I have transplanted 4 markisa    brought from Tanah Merah. The four seem to be doing fine. 

The other day, we were discussing about transformation, through rebranding perspective. I am looking at my big backyard, visualisizing changes that will appear, with quickwins, harvests and giveaways. Transformation or rebranding exercise is about planning and seeing it through. My backyard garden is like a lab.  The way forward should be realistic, and as a gardener I appreciate the two limiting factors; time and stamina, as I keep on visualising the eventual look of my little vegetable garden in Johor and as I keep germinating more seeds, and as I keep adding plants to the vegetable bed....

-bangchik and kakdah-
Johor Malaysia

Cabbage has babies!

With  6-month rule of thumb for cabbage harvest, the four cabbages should be ready for dinner by August. They are not as healthy as the last attempt in Putrajaya. At least it answers the question "Can cabbage be grown in Tanah Merah?" Now they have babies around them, 35 altogether. I may try them on land this time round..... that would be quite a sight. There is a need for netting as well, anything  from cool climate cant grow in the open. 

Growing cabbage once again.

Cabbage is not too difficult to grow in tropical climates. I can safely say that because I had gone through the whole process last year in Putrajaya. Early this year I saw hybrid cabbage seeds which mentioned specifically it's suitability to be grown in hot climate, I quickly purchased a packet.

The seeds went through three different pots.  I did it that way for convenience, and it suits their need on space. Baby cabbage doesn't need 12 inch pot to start with!

• 2 inch pot: germination - up to 4  leaves
• 4 inch pot: first transplant - up to 6 leaves
• 12 inch pot: second transplant - til harvest.

April 2011
The four cabbages were fine in shallow pots... It's a short sun exposure. After midday, they bath in full sunlight for 3 hours, then slowly reduced, as the sun meandered through trees at the far end.

cabbage still a baby in 2 inch pot, 14.4.2011

cabbage in 4 inch pot , 25.4. 2011

May 2011
they are placed at the railings of side balcony. sun exposure is still 3 hours a day.

cabbage in 4 inch pot,  5.5. 2011

Early June 2011
Now cabbage heads are forming. They are placed at different location with   6 hours sun exposure. Whoever come to house will not miss them.
Because the leaves are large, overflowing the pots, people are asking " what's those, are they kale?"
"No, cabbage"
"What, cabbage can grow here?"

all the four cabbages in 12 inch pots, 8.6.2011

The last time we grew cabbages in Putrajaya, it took 4 months from seeds to harvest. So we are expecting a decent harvest in the middle of August. In the meantime Kakdah had just germinated the rest of the seeds.  A quick check today shows 30 little cabbage seedlings growing happily. Seeing them grow through the stages over 4 months is fun.

Growing cabbage in Tanah Merah

Cabbage seeds were soaked for a day on the 8th of April this year. They were wrapped in wet kitchen tissue for a couple of days. Once the roots started to appear they were placed one each in little pots. Four seedlings were of the same size coming to the fourth leaves, very heathy. The other three are somewhat dwarfed, therefore I don't expect much from them... So I am concentrating on the four young cabbage seedlings now.

Young cabbage seedling in  4 in pot, coming to the fourth leaves

This is the second attempt. The first in Putrajaya home, saw the whole stages through ending with four lovely cabbage heads (normal term to describe the round cabbage). Now I am trying to find the best site around the house: cool, no direct sunlight.

Has anyone tried cabbage to add fun to home vegetable gardening in Malaysia?

bangchik and kakdah

tanah merah garden

Harvesting home-grown cabbages.

 Menuai hasil tanaman kubis di Malaysia

the four cabbages
pictured on a dinner plate, 
so that will give a fair idea 
about the actual size of each cabbage.

the four cabbages
on a lighter colour tone.

What sold at the market are a lot bigger. Farmers with years of experience should be able to grow and harvest large and beautiful cabbages. In Malaysia, cabbages are normally grown in the highlands where the weather is cooler and thus promotes growth in its natural environment. Home gardening at low lying area like Putrajaya requires simulation of a cooler environment. So the pots are permanently placed by the side of the house away from the direct sunlight.

After months of waiting, both of us decided to call it a day, we cut off the cabbage head. They are not very big but they warm our hearts in a big way. The anticipation of what is going to come out of growing cabbages for the first time paid off. The shining leaves are so lovely...

A few details
Seeds bought:  28th of February 2010
Seeds germinated: the very same night, 28th February 2010
First Posting on Cabbage: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Playing with cabbage.
Cabbage Life before harvest: exactly 4 months

I may try cabbage again next year, 

but for the moment there are cucumbers and bitter gourds 

crying for attention.

cabbage heads.

Menanam kubis di Malaysia

 cabbage head: a close-up

cabbage 1

cabbage 2

cabbage 3

cabbage 4

Four pots in a row.

The plants are healthy looking a few weeks back. As the heads form and bulge, the rest of the plants are showing signs of general weakening. The bottom most leaves has dried up into a thin brown piece of paper. The aging process is going up along the main stem, taking the green away and putting yellow and light brown as replacement. The rest of the leaves are losing lush and lustre. The whole energy seems to be channeled towards giving its best on the formation of the cabbage heads, where new baby leaves will form within the protection of the cabbage head.  I hope caterpillars will not come and sniff....

bangchik

Cabbages are taking shape.

cabbages

The cabbage heads are forming nicely for all the four. I touch them with my hand, and I wish to confirm that the heads are really building.  From now on, no new leaves will be visible because the growth of new leaf will be inside the head itself.  I am expecting the head to get bigger and the lower leaves to get older and turn yellow.  For a first timer with cabbages, I am expecting too much and too soon. But I really have to say this.

"The wait seems to be like  forever "

Earlier posts: 

Wed, Mar 10, 2010 ~ Playing with cabbage.

Tues, April 06, 2010 ~ Cabbage after a month 

Frid , April 23, 2010 ~ Our cabbages at stage 4 

Sat, May 29, 2010 ~ Cabbage: updates on growth stage.

bangchik

Stages of cabbage growth

References

1. What are the growth stages of cabbage
2. CABBAGE GROWTH STAGES

• Cotyledons
  
• Seedling
  
• 6-8 true leaf
  
• 9-12 true leaf
  
• Precupping
  
• Cupping
  
• Early Head Formation
  
• Head Fill
  
• Mature

Cabbage: updates on growth stage.

cabbage 1

cabbage 2

cabbage 3

cabbage 4

cabbages in a row.

Earlier posts: 

Wed, Mar 10, 2010 ~ Playing with cabbage.

Tues, April 06, 2010 ~ Cabbage after a month 

Frid , April 23, 2010 ~ Our cabbages at stage 4 

Mon, May 03, 2010 ~The progress of 4 cabbages.

 Update:

At this stage I really find it difficult to count the number of leaves on each. A rough estimate will point the stage of growth at number 6 or cupping. A little cabbage head is about to form in the middle. I have been trying hard to refrain my inquisitive childhood mind from disturbing the inner leaves to ensure it is really the cabbage head, each plant is crowning at the center.  Now the earliest pair  leaves had dried. It is fascinating to see the drying process of cabbage leaves. The change is so gradual that we dont realise it, until we lift the leaves up, to see the underneath. The leaves just dry off and shrink to a thin material, almost like light brown tissue paper.

Cabbage growth stages
Stage 1: Cotyledon (seed leaves). No true leaves present.
Stage 2: Seedling, up to 5 true leaves
Stage 3: 6-8 true leaves
Stage 4: 9-12 true leaves. Base of stem is still visible from above.

Stage 5: Precupping (approximately 13 - 19 leaves).

By the end of this stage, the base of the stem and the bases of all leaves are concealed when  the plant is viewed from above. The innermost  heart leaves are growing in an upright fashion and are visible without moving any of the leaves. 

Stage 6: Cupping (approximately 20 - 26 leaves)

The innermost heart leaves which are still growing in an upright fashion are concealed by the larger, older leaves surrounding them. All visible leaves will later become the frame leaves (leaves not touching the mature head) of the mature plant.
Stage 7: Early Head Formation 2.5 - 4" diameter head
Stage 8: Head Fill 3 - 8" diameter head 
Stage 9: Mature 6 -12" diameter head 

bangchik

The progress of 4 cabbages.

 a close-up

 four in a row

 cabbage 1

 cabbage 2

 cabbage 3

cabbage 4

Earlier posts: 

Wed, Mar 10, 2010 ~ Playing with cabbage.

Tues, April 06, 2010 ~ Cabbage after a month 

Frid , April 23, 2010 ~ Our cabbages at stage 4


1. Cabbages in four pots are growing with stems getting thicker and stronger. I suppose strong stem is the prerequisite for the formation of cabbage head. So far grasshoppers have been shying away. But other veggies, pakchoy and sawi,  just a metre away had been savaged to the bones. Grasshoppers are having great days this week. It is a sign for me to put a rest at leafy vegetable gardening. Let grasshoppers, after realising there is no more food around, pack and move somewhere else. A month would be enough I guess.

2. Surprisingly other veggies, where marigolds are close by,  as companions are doing just fine. It probably proves a point that have mentioned by many about marigold's ability to shove pests away. From past experience, marigolds too will be feasted by pests, when they are old, as flowers are about to dry up. Nature has a system in store for any living organism, that body defense will weaken upon old age......

3. Now back to cabbages. They are now at the early stage of precupping, judging by the number of leaves. There is an average of 13 leaves in each. The innermost heart leaves are very much in upright position. I put down the stages of cabbage growth:-

Cabbage growth stages
Stage 1: Cotyledon (seed leaves). No true leaves present.
Stage 2: Seedling, up to 5 true leaves
Stage 3: 6-8 true leaves
Stage 4: 9-12 true leaves. Base of stem is still visible from above.

Stage 5: Precupping (approximately 13 - 19 leaves).

By the end of this stage, the base of the stem and the bases of all leaves are concealed when  the plant is viewed from above. The innermost  heart leaves are growing in an upright fashion and are visible without moving any of the leaves. 

Stage 6: Cupping (approximately 20 - 26 leaves)
Stage 7: Early Head Formation 2.5 - 4" diameter head
Stage 8: Head Fill 3 - 8" diameter head 
Stage 9: Mature 6 -12" diameter head

Huh.., The waiting  is much longer than I thought.

bangchik and kakdah

putrajaya malaysia

Our cabbages at stage 4

cabbage 1
about 10 leaves

cabbage 2
about 10 leaves

cabbage 3
about 10 leaves

cabbage 4
about 10 leaves

1. I was reading an article the other day about the many stages a cabbage has to go through before harvest. I found this information very useful, to deal with growing cabbages for the first time. It eases anxiety as the formation of cabbage head is peculiar and  not in the same light as other vegetables. Fruiting vegetables are very predictable, where plants will grow and the hint of maturity appears as soon as the flowering starts. Then we can expect fruits to form as soon as the flowers drop off. Even spinach is very predictable. 

2. But growing cabbage is totally different. Plants start growing almost in the same manner as Kailan or chinese Kale. The leaves are so identical which is thick, flat and glossy blue-green. At the moment, our cabbages behave just like another leafy vegetable. I can only expect cabbage heads to start forming when the total number of leaves is beyond 26. At the moment, it is 10, which is at stage 4. Now I am expecting the plants to enter stage 5, which is precupping.

3. To simulate a cooler environment, the containers are placed at the side of the house. There will not be any direct effect of rains on these plants. They are experiencing about 6 hours of afternoon sunlight. For now, being away from the lawn, and other plants in the garden, cabbages are growing free of pests.

Even though the plants are growing well, 

I just wonder, 

whether the cabbage heads 

will eventually form.

Cabbage growth stages

Stage 1: Cotyledon (seed leaves). No true leaves present.
Stage 2: Seedling, up to 5 true leaves
Stage 3: 6-8 true leaves
Stage 4: 9-12 true leaves. Base of stem is still visible from above.

Stage 5: Precupping (approximately 13 - 19 leaves).

By the end of this stage, the base of the stem and the bases of all leaves are concealed when  the plant is viewed from above. The innermost  heart leaves are growing in an upright fashion and are visible without moving any of the leaves. 

Stage 6: Cupping (approximately 20 - 26 leaves)
Stage 7: Early Head Formation 2.5 - 4" diameter head
Stage 8: Head Fill 3 - 8" diameter head 
Stage 9: Mature 6 -12" diameter head

(http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pubs/fls/OCRPDF/101a.pdf) about cabbages going through several stages before harvest.  Click for more: CABBAGE GROWTH STAGES

bangchik

Putrajaya Malaysia