Cabbage

[farmerjim]

My cabbage's have been growing really well, i had them under a sun tunnel, but they have all started to fall over and the stems are really thin at the base of the plant. if i just earth them up will they be ok?

[jacob marley]

Should be ok but how often do you water them but what is a sun tunnel i have never heard of them netting is usually good enough jacob

[fiveravens]

It'll help, but if they're not too far advanced, I'd dig them up and replant them, sinking them down to the bases of the leaves.

[gojiberry]

Sounds a bit like damping off disease, if it then there isn't much hope and you will have to start again making sure you use fresh compost and clean pots. Hope it isn't.

Ian

[farmerjim]

I didnt grow them in pots i grew them from seed outdoors.

[Snadger]

The answer to your question is yes! I've just planted some out today which were very thin at the base and I just planted them so that the first set of true leaves were at soil level. They're looking very sorry for themselves but I know that within a couple of days they'll pick up.
Are they in their final positions yet? If not, do as I have done, if they are, earthing them up will support them and they should make new roots into the earthed up material!

[farmerjim]

they have 2 to 3 sets of leaves now.

[Millit]

i have cabbage growing in a tray in the greenhouse they are about half a inch, how tall should they be before i plant them in my garden.

[Snadger]

i have cabbage growing in a tray in the greenhouse they are about half a inch, how tall should they be before i plant them in my garden.

Give them a while yet millit! About 4 inches/10cms high is about right with about four true leaves!

[Millit]

thanks Snadger will do.

[amandaandherveg]

Mine are on windowsills at the moment, 3 inches(ish) and quite leggy with no true leaves, but look healthy. In individual seeds tray, should I pop them into paper pots to thicken them up?

[Cutecumber]

Cabbages and cauliflowers (and broccoli, sprouts etc) need to be transplanted - it strengthens the root system and allows you to sink them down to better support the stem. This is why the traditional method is to sow into a seedbed and transplant once they have a few leaves. Today many of us start them in pots, but the effect is the same.

If you direct sowed them, dig them up carefully and replant them deeper or they are going to struggle.

[Winged one]

I have mine in modules on the patio, and should be planting onwards into the plot in the next fortnight or so (as soon as I have dug out the couch grass from the uncultivated bit at the back!!). There are about 3/4 true leaves, but I think they'll be ok for another week or two.

[farmerjim]

i dug them all up at the weekend, dug the soil over and now they are doing great!