Cabbage leaves are purple, why, what to do?

Planting cabbage is only the first step to successfully growing a crop. The most difficult task is to properly care for the plant and protect the cabbage beds from diseases and pests.

Gardeners often complain that their plants are starting to wilt, and the leaves are turning purple. What causes this problem, and how can it be prevented?

What causes cabbage leaves to turn purple?

There are several reasons why cabbage may start to change color:

1. Phosphorus and nitrogen are essential for the healthy growth of this vegetable. A severe deficiency of these nutrients may be the main cause of this problem.
2. Improper plant care or improper growing conditions for cabbage. For example, low or high humidity, transplanting at the wrong time, or low temperatures. These factors have a detrimental effect on the vegetable's stress level.
3. Damage to the root system, which leads to the development of fungal infections, can completely destroy such a crop by cutting off the supply of nutrients to the plant.

Signs and symptoms of yellowing leaves

Seedling leaves turn yellow due to a fungal disease that affects both the seedlings and the plant itself when planted in the ground. This infection is called Fusarium wilt. The presence of this disease can be determined by the following criteria:

1. The leaves gradually turn yellow-green.
2. Elasticity is lost and wilting occurs.
3. The external organ does not turn yellow completely, that is, in some places the color may have a healthy green tint.
4. The ring of vessels takes on a dark brown hue on the stems when cut.
5. The lower part of the foliage gradually falls off, leaving only the central rosette.

Cabbage leaf treatment

The crop has distinct varietal differences. Each species differs from the others in shape, growing season, nutritional properties, and color. There are specific climate conditions that must be met. For normal plant development, good lighting, controlled watering frequency, the right temperature, etc.

Experienced gardeners know that this crop requires the use of specialized fertilizers. These solutions must contain phosphorus. Superphosphate is commonly used. There is a single type, containing about 20% of the substance, and a double type, containing 45% of the essential element.

In most cases, soil preparation is done in advance. In the fall, gardeners fertilize the entire area. Some gardeners add peat to the holes before planting. If the soil is left unfertilized, fertilizer is added during the vegetable's growth period.

In summer, gardeners use several types of necessary solutions:

1. After you have planted the seedlings, it should take about 15 days to add nitrogen fertilizer to the soil.
2. Wait another 15 days, then fertilize the plant again with the same complex.
3. After another 15 days, add a phosphorus-nitrogen solution.
4. And for the last time, after two more weeks, apply potassium fertilizer.

Plant prevention

To prevent cabbage leaves from turning blue, you need to follow several rules:

1. Follow crop rotation rules by returning the plant to the same location after 4 years.
2. Fertilize the area promptly in the fall and add mixtures with ash into the holes.
3. Disinfect the soil with dolomite flour, lime or copper sulfate.
4. Treat the seeds before planting. This is essential to boost the immune system.
5. Follow the plant's necessary growing requirements.

Theoretical knowledge of proper cultivation isn't enough to guarantee a bountiful and healthy harvest. In practice, things are more complicated. Even experienced gardeners can sometimes encounter problems that leave them in a desperate situation. Difficulties in growing this crop can be numerous, including depleted soil, pest infestations, the spread of diseases, the emergence of poorly adapted varieties, and more. Every gardener must always be on guard.