By Joseph Mugenyi
Kampala: Cabbages take 60-120 days to mature depending on the variety.
Most cabbage varieties grown in Uganda include;
- Copenhagen
- Gloria
- Fernacle
- Sugar loaf
- Prize drum head
Among all these, Ugandan farmers mostly grow Copenhagen and Gloria cabbage varieties.
Copenhagen cabbage.
This is a local variety.
It takes 100-120 days to mature.
It’s resistant to harsh conditions of weather and pests.
It’s small in size compared to Gloria.
Gloria.
It’s a hybrid variety.
Grows fast and big
Maturity ranges between 60-80days
It’s less resistant to harsh conditions of weather and pests.
Nowadays traders prefer Gloria cabbage to Copenhagen due to the size and its long-lasting period after harvesting.
Recently each piece of Gloria costs 2,000-3,000shs and Copenhagen 500-1,000shs.
Growth and management.
Cabbages take 5-10 days to germinate.
If grown in a seedbed, transplant after 5-7weeks.
Cabbages need more nutrients so you can apply fertilizers.
Mulching prevents some pests and keeps the soil moist.
Cabbages are mostly attacked by aphids and caterpillars. You can use insecticides to control these. Fenos insecticide is highly recommended.
You can spray once or twice every month.
Use a spacing of 45-50cm (rows) 60cms (columns) to those that grow broadly e.g. Gloria.
Those that flower small fruits with few leaves use a spacing of 25×25cm (Row by column) e.g. Copenhagen
There is no specific time to prune cabbage leaves.
It can be done when leaves fold and reach the ground which makes them rot.
Also when they grow broad and affect the neighboring cabages (kugagana)
Pruning can be done when some leaves are infected.
Remember also leaves are needed by the cabbage because it’s where photosynthesis takes place from, this implies they help the fruit to grow big.
Harvest during cold hours to avoid cracking.
Cabbages have got market both local and international.
When cabbage prices are lower, you can slice your cabbages into smaller portions and sun dry them. You will then have prevented rotting.
Sliced dry cabbages have also got market.
You can pack them and then sell.
So don’t talk of price fluctuation and market issues.
Get all the agricultural information here bi-weekly.Mugenyi Joseph (MJ Farmer) is a practicing Agribusiness entrepreneur based in Kibiito and a software Engineering student at Makerere University. He can be reached on 0701-443309, Email:mugenyijosemj@gmail.com
