Hello, hardworking farmers and gardening enthusiasts! Today, “Nongnghiepvietnam.org” will share with you the techniques for growing cabbage – a popular and beloved vegetable in Vietnam. With the desire to help you achieve a bountiful harvest, this article will provide a detailed guide to the cabbage growing and care process from A to Z. Let’s dive in!
Part I: Characteristics and Environmental Requirements of Cabbage
1. Botanical Characteristics
Cabbage is a short-term crop belonging to the Brassica family. This plant is characterized by a high leaf area index, a large water use coefficient, and a strong, fibrous root system. The resilience of cabbage leaves is also remarkable. According to agricultural experts, “when 25% of the leaf surface area is cut in the pre-heading stage, the yield still reaches 97-98% compared to uncut plants.” This demonstrates the vigorous growth potential of cabbage.
2. Environmental Requirements
- Temperature: Cabbage seeds germinate best at 18-20°C, while the plant thrives best at 15-18°C.
- Humidity: Cabbage prefers moist conditions, with an ideal soil moisture of 75-85% and air humidity of 80-90%. However, excessively wet soil (above 90%) for 3-5 days will cause root toxicity due to lack of oxygen.
- Soil: Cabbage grows well in light loam, sandy loam, and ideally alluvial soil, with a pH of 5.6-6.0.
- Nutrition: As a plant with a large biomass, cabbage needs a sufficient nutrient supply. Adequate and balanced fertilization is essential for healthy growth and high yields.
Part II: Cabbage Planting and Care Techniques
1. Variety
In Lam Dong, the most commonly grown cabbage varieties are Shotgun and Green Nova. Farmers also cultivate other varieties like sweetheart cabbage and red cabbage.
Cabbage Variety Selection Criteria:
| Variety | Age (days) | Plant Height (cm) | Root Collar Diameter (mm) | True Leaves | Plant Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabbage | 20-28 | 10-12 | 1.5-2.0 | 4-6 | Healthy, no deformities, no damage, white roots evenly wrapped around the root ball, well-developed top, no signs of pests or diseases, especially clubroot (caused by the fungus Plasmodiophora brassicae.W) |
2. Soil Preparation
- Site Selection: Choose a site far from industrial zones, hospitals, factories, etc., to avoid contaminated water sources. The soil should be loose, rich in humus, have a thick topsoil layer, and drain well.
- Garden Sanitation: Remove all plant debris from the previous crop, spread lime, and plow thoroughly to a depth of 20-25cm. In gardens where cabbage has been previously grown, treat the soil with Nebijin 0.3DP to control clubroot.
- Bed Formation: Create beds 1.2m wide and 15cm high (10cm in the dry season) with drainage furrows.
3. Planting and Care
- Planting: Before planting, dip the roots in a 0.1-0.15% Sherpa solution. Plant in two staggered rows, 45cm apart, with plants spaced 35cm apart, at a density of 33,000-35,000 plants/ha. Water thoroughly after planting.
- Watering: Water twice daily in the early morning or late afternoon until the plants recover. Then, water once a day. Use clean, uncontaminated water.
- Weeding: Regularly remove weeds from the beds, furrows, and surrounding areas. Combine weeding with cultivating to keep the soil loose.
4. Fertilization
4.1. Recommended Fertilizer Amounts per Hectare/Crop:
- Decomposed Manure: 40 m3
- Microbial Organic Fertilizer: 1,000kg
- Lime Powder: 1,000kg
- Chemical Fertilizer (pure content): 140kg N – 70kg P2O5 – 150kg K2O
Converting Chemical Fertilizer Amounts to Single or NPK Fertilizers:
Method 1:
- Urea: 304kg
- Superphosphate: 437.5kg
- KCl: 250 kg
Method 2:
- NPK 15-5-20: 750kg
- Urea: 60kg
- Superphosphate: 203kg
4.2. Fertilization Method (Method 1):
| Item | Total | Basal Dressing | Top Dressing (1st: 10 DAT | 2nd: 25 DAT | 3rd: 45 DAT | 4th: 65 DAT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manure | 40 m3 | 40 m3 | ||||
| Microbial Organic Fertilizer | 1,000 kg | 1,000 kg | ||||
| Lime | 1,000 kg | 1,000 kg | ||||
| Urea | 304 kg | 54 kg | 30 kg | 50 kg | 70 kg | 100 kg |
| Superphosphate | 437.5 kg | 337.5 kg | 100 kg | |||
| Potassium Chloride | 250 kg | 100 kg | 50 kg | 100 kg |
Fertilization Method (Method 2):
| Item | Total | Basal Dressing | Top Dressing (1st: 10 DAT | 2nd: 25 DAT | 3rd: 45 DAT | 4th: 65 DAT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manure | 40 m3 | 40 m3 | ||||
| Microbial Organic Fertilizer | 1,000 kg | 1,000 kg | ||||
| Lime | 1,000 kg | 1,000 kg | ||||
| Urea | 60 kg | 40 kg | 20 kg | |||
| Superphosphate | 203 kg | 203 kg | ||||
| NPK 15-5-20 | 750 kg | 150 kg | 80 kg | 140 kg | 180 kg | 200 kg |
Note:
- Use foliar fertilizers according to the instructions printed on the package.
- Only use fertilizers listed in the Fertilizer Catalogue permitted for production, trading, and use in Vietnam.
Part III. Pests and Control Measures
1. Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella)
Diamondback moth larvae on cabbage
- Damage Characteristics: The diamondback moth is the most dangerous pest of cabbage. They are present year-round. Larvae create grooves by chewing on leaves, and larger larvae consume the entire leaf epidermis, affecting yield and quality.
- Control Measures: Practice field sanitation, rotate with crops from different families, intercrop with tomatoes, onions, garlic, etc., to repel moths. Introduce parasitic wasps and use pesticides when necessary.
2. Aphids (Brevicolyne brassicae)
- Damage Characteristics: Aphids suck sap from the plant, causing leaves to curl, wilt, and turn yellow.
- Control Measures: Water regularly to maintain moisture, and use aphid-specific insecticides.
3. Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae)
- Damage Characteristics: Larvae feed on leaves, leaving a thin white membrane. Larger larvae create holes in the leaves, leaving the plant ragged.
- Control Measures: Catch butterflies, remove pupae, practice field sanitation, and rotate crops.
4. Flea Beetles (Phyllotrera spp.)
- Damage Characteristics: Adults feed on leaves, while larvae feed on roots, causing stunted growth, wilting, and death.
- Control Measures: Thoroughly till the soil before planting, rotate with crops from different families, and spray pesticides when necessary.
5. Cutworms (Agrotis ypsilon)
- Damage Characteristics: Larvae chew on leaves, and larger larvae cut the stem at the base.
- Control Measures: Practice field sanitation, handpick larvae, and use pesticides.
6. Armyworms (Spodoptera sp.)
- Damage Characteristics: Larvae chew on leaves, often congregating in groups.
- Control Measures: Practice field sanitation, handpick larvae, and use pesticides.
Part IV. Diseases and Control Measures
1. Damping-Off (Rhizoctonia solani)
- Symptoms: Weak plants, small heads, wilting and death, dry rot of the head.
- Cause: Rhizoctonia solani fungus.
- Control Measures: Crop rotation and use of specific fungicides.
2. Blackleg (Phoma ligam)
- Symptoms: Sunken, rotting lesions on the stem base and leaves, leading to wilting and collapse.
- Control Measures: Garden sanitation, crop rotation, destruction of infected plants, and use of fungicides.
3. Black Rot (Xanthomonas campestris)
- Symptoms: V-shaped yellow lesions on leaf margins that gradually spread towards the center.
- Control Measures: Garden sanitation, crop rotation, and use of bactericides.
4. Soft Rot (Erwinia carotovora)
- Symptoms: Water-soaked spots on leaf petioles, followed by soft rot.
- Control Measures: Garden sanitation, crop rotation, balanced fertilization, and use of bactericides.
5. Alternaria Leaf Spot (Alternaria brassicae Sace)
- Symptoms: Small black spots on leaves that expand into circular, brown lesions.
- Control Measures: Garden sanitation, hot water treatment of seeds, and use of fungicides.
6. White Mold (Sclerotinia sclerotirum)
- Symptoms: Soft rot of the base in seedlings, and soft rot of leaves and stems in mature plants.
- Control Measures: Garden sanitation, crop rotation, balanced fertilization, and use of fungicides.
7. Clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae.W)
Clubroot on cabbage
- Symptoms: Swollen roots, stunted growth, silvery-green leaves, and wilting.
- Cause: Plasmodiophora brassicae.W fungus.
- Control Measures: Choose resistant varieties, treat the soil before planting, rotate crops, and apply lime to raise soil pH.
Part V. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
For effective and sustainable crop protection, farmers should implement IPM with four main measures:
- Cultural Practices: Field sanitation, crop rotation, selection of resistant varieties, and balanced fertilization.
- Biological Control: Limit the use of chemicals, protect natural enemies, and use biopesticides.
- Physical Control: Destroy diseased plants, use yellow sticky traps, pheromone traps, and insect nets.
- Chemical Control: Use pesticides only when necessary, following the 4 Rights principle.
Part VI. Harvesting, Grading, and Post-Harvest Handling
1. Harvesting
Cabbage can be harvested 90-110 days after planting.
Signs that Cabbage is Ready for Harvest:
- The head is firm and compact.
- The surface is smooth, and the leaves are flat and taut.
- The base turns opaque white or milky white.
Harvesting Tips:
- Harvest in the early morning or late afternoon.
- Cut close to the base of the head.
- Remove outer leaves.
2. Storage
- Store at room temperature (20°C) in a dark, well-ventilated area for 7-10 days.
- Store at 10°C and 95-98% humidity for 2-3 months.
Conclusion
We hope this article has provided you with valuable information on cabbage growing and care techniques. We wish you successful implementation and a bountiful harvest! Don’t forget to leave comments sharing your experiences or ask us questions in the comments section below!