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