Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya.
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6 Best Fertilizer for Cabbage: The Key to Huge Heads!
What is the Best Fertilizer to Use on Cabbage - Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya.
Choosing the Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya is important because cabbage is a big eater that needs lots of nutrients to produce big cabbage heads and leaves.
Today, cabbage is a commonly used vegetable around the world, but it originated in southern Europe.
It has an elegant and long botanical name: Brassica Oleracea Capitata.
This cool weather culture is biennial, that is, it takes place every two years.
It should be grown in rich soil with a constant supply of moisture.
It's a humble vegetable that offers a big harvest in a short time and is packed with beneficial nutrients.
If your cabbage crop has underdeveloped or undersized buds, you need to enrich the soil with a nutrient boost using commercial or homemade fertilizers.
In this article, I am sharing the Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya available in the market.
If you want to grow big heads of cabbage, be sure to use the Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya!
The Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya should have an NPK of around 8-16-16 before planting. 2-3 pounds per 100 square feet is ideal. 4 weeks after transplanting, choose a fertilizer with an NPK of 21-0-0. Measure 1/2 cup of fertilizer for every 10 feet. Avoid using high nitrogen (N) after head formation.
Cabbage grows best with a soil pH between 6.5 and 7.0 for optimal nutrient supply and yield.
When Should I Fertilize My Cabbage - Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya.
Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya - Stage 1
The first step is basic or initial fertilization. This is accomplished with soil preparation.
This is done to help your cabbage plant adapt more quickly to its growing environment, increase soil fertility, and improve soil structure.
Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya - Stage 2
The next stage is the molting phase.
Feeding the seedlings not only improves growth, but also increases survival rate and resistance. Light feeding is best at this stage, as you don't want to burn the young plant.
Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya - Stage 3
This phase refers to the period of actual cabbage growth. Watering and feeding during this phase are crucial.
Choose nitrogen-rich fertilizers at this stage, as this will help you move on to the next stage. Some growers believe this will shorten the plant's growth cycle.
Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya - Stage 4
You must re-fertilize the cabbage after it enters the rosette stage.
You need to cover the cabbage with a fertilizer that contains potassium and urea. This promotes the growth of flower buds.
Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya - Stage 5
This is the flowering or ear stage. Fertilize your plant during early and mid-growth with regular feeding.
Once the cabbage enters the final stage of heading, all you need to do is apply a light leaf mulch.
KALRO recommends that cabbages top-dressed with CAN fertilizer two times after transplanting;
Fertilizer/Manure |
Rate Per acre |
Time |
Animal Manure |
8 tonnes per acre |
2 weeks before transplanting |
DAP/DSP/TSP/NPK (choose one depending on Ph level of soil.
Do not apply DAP on acidic soils) |
10
grams per planting hole |
2
weeks before transplanting |
CAN Fertilizer |
10 grams per plant |
2-3 weeks after transplanting |
CAN Fertilizer |
20
grams per plant |
When
cabbage heads begin to form |
Cabbage Feeding Key Points - Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya.
Outdoor feeding should continue until the heads are formed.
If you have frequent rains in your area, you will need to fertilize your cabbage more often because the rain can wash away nutrients from the soil.
If you notice sunken, brown areas on the stems, your plant needs more boron. You can add boron as a foliar spray or put it in the soil.
Cabbage has shallow roots, so any weed growth near this plant can deprive it of needed nutrients in the soil. Avoid using plant foods or fertilizers that contain herbicides as this can harm the cabbage plant. You can cover the ground to control weeds.
Do not over-fertilize your crop after the cabbage heads begin to form, as this leads to rapid growth. In most cases, over-fertilized crops have split or split heads.
Don't let the fertilizer touch the cabbage leaves. Otherwise, you will end up burning fertilizer.
Planting In Sandy Soil Requires More Food - Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya.
Before using starter fertilizer, make sure you have at least one true leaf. Feed the plant half-weekly starter fertilizer. You can increase the feeding frequency to twice a week when two or more leaves have grown.
The Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya you choose should also contain a decent amount of phosphate, as it helps improve the plant's resistance to drought or disease.
It's crucial to stick to what the label says and use the manufacturer's recommended dilution rates.
If you want to use a slow-release fertilizer, add it before planting. Make sure you cultivate well and mix the fertilizer well into the soil and don't leave any fertilizer particles on the surface of the soil.
You can continue to add slow release fertilizer later in the season. But I prefer to switch to a liquid fertilizer because it's easier to apply and absorb into the soil.
Be sure to water your cabbage well as moist soil is needed not only for growth but also for nutrient uptake.
In fact, cabbage is one of the thirstiest plants, requiring about an inch of water per week for optimal growth.
Nutritional Deficiencies for Cabbage - Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya.
Here are the symptoms of different types of nutritional deficiencies. These points will help you identify the correct deficiency and treat the soil accordingly.
Nitrogen - Deficiencies for Cabbage - Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya.
Yellowing of older leaves is a common symptom of this deficiency.
The leaves will also start to decompose. If you don't treat the soil for a nitrogen deficiency, your sprouts won Match
Lack of phosphorus does not affect the color of cabbage leaves.
But this reduces the growth of cabbage.
Potassium - Deficiencies for Cabbage- Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya.
If old cabbage leaves start to turn light brown or yellow, the cabbage needs more potassium.
The leaves will also begin to curl.
Zinc - Deficiencies for Cabbage- Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya.
Cabbage leaves will have a pale yellow color and stunted growth. Zinc deficiency symptoms are most evident in winter.
Zinc is essential for the structural functioning of enzymes. Soils low in organic matter contain less zinc and some can be washed away by rain.
Sulfur - Deficiencies for Cabbage- Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya.
Cabbage growth is stunted (especially the heads) and stunted by this nutrient deficiency.
Your cabbage may also develop brittle leaf tissue and become vulnerable to fungal infections.
Calcium - Deficiencies for Cabbage- Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya.
This is indicated by the burnt leaf tips. Younger leaves are affected first, and if left untreated, your cabbage may not develop heads.
Magnesium - Deficiencies for Cabbage- Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya.
The main symptom of this deficiency is chlorosis between the veins of cabbage leaves.
Symptoms first appear on mature leaves and there is a marked reduction in cabbage growth.
Conclusion on the Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya.
A good fertilization schedule and the Best Fertilizer for Cabbage in Kenya will ensure that your cabbage plant has all the energy it needs to develop a healthy head and leaves.
Different options are listed and reviewed in this buying guide to help you buy the best cabbage fertilizer.
I created this list after experimenting with various cabbage fertilizers; some of them were recommended by other farmers, while others were discovered while looking for cabbage fertilizer in the market.
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