In today’s farming, cabbage has become Kenya’s most cultivated vegetable crop due to its popularity in many Kenyan homes. However, it is the most preferred vegetable because of its broad recipe, long shelf life, cost-effectiveness, and profitability. So, how long does it take for cabbage to mature in Kenya?
It takes about 60-100 days for cabbages in Kenya to mature. This is approximately three months after transplanting. Cabbage has a fast maturity which depends on several factors, such as the variety of cabbage. The cabbages are ready for harvest when they become firm to the touch.
The fast maturity of cabbages depends on:
1. Spacing of the Cabbages
Well-spaced cabbages mature faster because the absorption of minerals and essential nutrients per plant is high since the competition between the planted crops is lower.
2. Type of Soil to be Planted
A well-drained and fertile soil enhances the maturity of the cabbages due to the availability of required nutrients that are important in speeding the cabbages’ maturity.
3. Planting of Hybrid Seeds that Mature Faster
Hybrid seeds are advantageous because they are faster, easier to grow, and more adaptable to stress. Also, they are highly productive and resistant to diseases compared to other seeds.
4. Use of The Right Fertilizer at The Right Time Required
To speed up the maturity of the cabbages, fertilizer will play a key role by boosting the physiological processes and stabilizing the health of the cabbages by allowing them to absorb, store, and utilize vital mineral components during the growth process.
4 Stages that Cabbage Takes to Mature
Below are four stages of cabbage growth to maturity. Cabbage generally undergoes four stages before aging, including:
1. The Germination Stage
Like many other seeds, this is the first stage of the cabbage’s life cycle. When planting cabbage, you should ensure you use a suitable propagation medium. After planting, cabbage seeds take 3–4 days to sprout under the proper conditions (moisture, nutrients, temperature, and sunlight).
At this stage, you should ensure your seedlings are well protected to avoid any distractions since they will be at a very delicate stage.
2. The Seedling stage
Seedling is the process by which seeds grow from a baby plant; the radicle develops into a root-like structure, and the cotyledon grows into a leaf-like structure.
At this stage, the young seedlings are still weak and not well developed to synthesize food; therefore, the growth depends on the nourishment of the seed to facilitate the seedling’s development into the vegetative stage.
3. The Vegetative Stage
The vegetative stage is when the young shoot that developed during the seedling stage grows into several leaves which wrap together to form the head.
At this point, the physiological processes are more active; therefore, there would be rigorous manufacturing of food that would facilitate the faster growth of the crop.
4. The Flowering Stage
Flowering occurs just after the vegetative stage, indicating that the cabbage plant has reached maturity and will be beyond harvesting unless it is for seed production.
The flowering process is an essential stage for any plant since it is a way for plants to keep regenerating themselves.
How Long Does Baraka F1 Cabbage Take to Mature?
Baraka F1 takes up to 75 days to mature for harvest. This variety has excellent leaves and is tolerant to heat. Under the proper conditions, their yield potential is 45-68 tonnes per acre.
Baraka F1 is amongst the most popular varieties of cabbage grown in Kenya. Its head is bluish-greenish, weighing about 4-6 kg, and has a high tolerance to fusarium yellow, black rot, and ring spot.
How Many Heads of Cabbage Can You Get Per Acre?
An acre can typically produce around 11,000 to 15,000 heads. Cabbage production per acre can be estimated before harvesting or calculated through manual counting.
Below are two factors that determine the number of heads produced per acre in Kenya:
1. Cabbage Variety
According to the manufacturer’s research, every cabbage cultivar has an estimated number of heads per acre. Therefore, before purchasing seeds, you should find out which are of high yield and best suit your ecological zone.
2. System Used During Planting
The planting system is a major factor since it has to do with spacing, which is a major determinant of the number of heads produced in cabbage farming.
The Best Month to Plant Cabbages in Kenya
Besides being an all-year-round crop, the best months to plant cabbage are March and April, while harvesting in July and August is the most preferred.
Before planting cabbage, timing is essential for a farmer in order to achieve high yields and earn more profit. Therefore, you should schedule your planting cycle, majoring on the cooler months for growing, and ensure you avoid planting that will mature in dry or hot weather.
Cabbage can tolerate shade during the day but grows well in full sun. However, they like cool nights with the morning dew. Cabbage can be grown throughout the year, especially in the highlands, with successive sowing every two months.
