Why does cabbage have a long stem and what to do about it?

Planting cabbage isn't particularly difficult for many gardeners, as the crop isn't particularly fussy. However, failure to follow basic agricultural practices can result in a small harvest or even total failure.

One common problem is the stem stretching due to the lack of proper ovaries on the head. This can be combated with both simple folk remedies and specialized chemical fertilizers.

Reasons for stretching

This plant requires specific growing conditions. Most often, owners pay special attention to watering schedules and how much water they provide, but this doesn't always solve the problem. The main factors that influence the development of excessively long stems include:

• insufficient lighting;
• too tight a fit;
• lack of nutrients in the soil;
• negative proximity to other cultures.

In some cases, severe stretching can be caused by the wrong variety or incorrect planting time. Early varieties, contrary to popular belief, don't just ripen faster; they also develop fruit under specific climatic conditions. Planting after late March or early April can cause problems with overgrown stems and missing heads.

This plant, regardless of variety, requires a certain balance of shade and light. Without sufficient light, the leaves will not develop fully, turning into long stalks rather than developing into full-fledged ovaries. The stem will stretch, trying to reach the sun's rays. However, in the complete absence of shade, the same situation can occur, this time due to overdrying and lack of moisture.

A critically low nitrogen level in the soil will prevent leaf formation and, as a result, will not provide the necessary boost for head formation. However, too much fertilizer, especially organic fertilizer, can overstimulate growth in the stalk area, leaving no energy left for head formation.

Signs and symptoms

The first signs of problems with the growing technique or variety can be noticed even during the seedling germination stage. Excessively thin stems or disproportionately large heights with small leaves indicate that the soil is unsuitable for this variety. If the soil for the seedlings was taken directly from the plot, similar problems should be expected during the growth process after transplanting.

Typically, an excessively long stalk forms immediately, and incorrect proportions are easy to spot. However, this characteristic is quite normal for some individual varieties, especially late-ripening ones. Therefore, standard timing for the formation of head ovaries can be used as a guide. Early varieties should form a firm ovary as early as June, and they can be harvested as a ready crop in July. Mid-season varieties begin actively forming in August, so ovaries should be visible by mid-July. Late, autumn-ripening varieties begin growing in September, so ovaries should be visible by the end of July, regardless of when they are planted.

In some cases, the development of an excessively long stalk in cabbage is accompanied by the development of several defective ovaries. These can consist of two or even three small forks. They differ in color and have an irregular shape. The stalk will continue to grow. Such a plant can be destroyed, as it will not produce a fruit.

What to do: the most effective methods

If rapid growth of the stem is noticed with insufficient formation of ovaries, the frequency and volume of watering should be analyzed, in addition, some simple measures should be carried out:

• hill up the plants;
• apply top dressing;
• tie the leaves.

These folk methods are quite effective and don't require significant financial investment. On average, cabbage requires 35 liters of water per day per plant for normal growth. Avoid waterlogging, especially when planting in dense clusters.

Hilling is necessary to ensure that the long stalk not only absorbs nutrients from the plant, but also becomes a valuable source of them. This artificial deepening of the stalk will encourage new roots to emerge. This will both increase the flow of nutrients and secure the future head of cabbage in a stable, upright position. Hilling can be done up to twice a season, depending on whether the stalk has stopped growing.

The simplest fertilizing option is adding ash. It contains a small amount of nitrogen, which is essential for ovary formation, but at the same time does not overstimulate the growth of stems and secondary leaves. One cup of dry ash is diluted in 10 liters of warm water, steeped for 15 minutes, and then watered moderately at the roots of each plant. Fertilizing can be done twice, separated by two weeks.

If the stalk has already grown large enough and there are concerns that the heads will not develop fully, using chemical solutions is an excellent solution. "Mikasa" and "Zavyaz" have shown good results and can be used both in southern regions and in risky farming areas. Prepare the solution and apply it according to the manufacturer's instructions, taking into account the age of the plant.

Prevention

The primary preventative measure against unnaturally long cabbage stalks is proper planting density. When plants lack space, they actively stretch, seeking more open space. Even if the heads are set, they will be too small and overly dense. Early varieties are planted 35 centimeters apart with a 50-centimeter gap between rows; for mid-season varieties, these parameters are 50 and 65 centimeters, respectively. Late-season varieties require even more space: 65 centimeters between planting holes and 75 centimeters between rows.

Before planting, prepare the soil, especially if it's too loose and light or excessively acidic. In the former case, heavy fertilizers, such as peat-based ones, will help, while liming will help in the latter.

One important preventative measure is choosing the right neighbor for your cabbage. To avoid excessive growth of the stalk, avoid planting crops such as corn, Jerusalem artichoke, sunflower, or raspberries.

Adviсe

The key to a good cabbage harvest is timely planting and proper fertilizing. It's recommended to strictly follow the instructions provided by the seed producer or nursery that developed the specific hybrid. Deviating by a week, especially two, often results in overgrown stalks and missing heads. Therefore, fertilize plants strictly according to the calendar, not just in your free time.

To ensure partial shade without completely blocking the light, it's worth planning your planting plan in advance, choosing suitable neighbors for your cabbage. Dill, celery, and leeks can be planted nearby. Besides being low enough to provide partial shade during certain hours of the day, these crops will also release beneficial phytoncides that repel key pests.

Reviews

Mikhail: We plant large quantities of cabbage, and hilling up the soil always helps prevent long stems. The heads are much larger and never flop over or fall to the ground. We encountered the same problem when we first planted cabbage in a new plot. Fertilizing with ash helped. We did it once, then the following year we fertilized the soil in advance; it's much easier. It really helped with the long stems.

Svetlana: One year, all the cabbage stems were very long and slightly curved, and some plants even fell over. We treated them with Mikasa, and ovaries appeared immediately, but our cabbage stopped growing upward. Then we immediately earthed them up, which turned out to be very helpful, although we hadn't done that before. The harvest last year was excellent, so next season I'll plant them less often.