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. (Tramadol)
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
