Feedback: All about growing red cabbage

TIPS ON FARMING RED CABBAGE

I have six acres in Kinangop, where I want to grow vegetables. Kindly advise me whether red cabbage, red bulb onions and courgette can do well there. If so, advise on propagation to harvest and marketing.

Duncan Ndegwa Ndirangu

Kinangop is a cool region, therefore, red cabbage will do well because it is a cold season crop.

Onions and courgettes are warm season vegetables and will not do well unless you plant them in a greenhouse.

Red cabbage production: Propagation and establishment

Cabbage is propagated by seeds, which are sown in the nursery bed and later transplanted after 3-4 weeks to rows of 60-75cm apart and 45-60cm within the rows.

Wider spacing (75 x 60cm) is usually adopted for late maturing cultivars (up to 130 days) and closer spacing (60 x 45cm) for early maturing cultivars (up to 55 days).

Head size can be regulated by plant density. Direct seeding followed by thinning is not normally successful in the tropics.

Seed Rate: 300-500g/ha depending on germination percentage.

Before transplanting, water nursery bed thoroughly 3-4 hours in advance to minimise damage during lifting of seedlings.

Preferable, remove seedlings separately, never pull as this may damage feeding roots.

Cultural practices: Fertiliser

Cabbage is a heavy feeder of Nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K). Organic matter and Phosphorus (P) and K fertilisers should be applied before transplanting and a dressing of N fertiliser is applied about four weeks from transplanting and three weeks thereafter.

Rates are 5-10g/plant (185-370kg/ha) of CAN and 200 kg/ha DSP. Cabbage benefits from heavy doses of well decomposed organic manure but there is need for balanced application of NPK.

Excess N application alone results in loose puffy heads.

Weed control

Cabbage is shallow rooted and care should be taken not to damage roots in the field as this would encourage entry of fungi and bacteria.

Cabbage is also a poor competitor of weed thus it should be protected. Avoid excessive weeding since this may lower yields due to water loss through evapotranspiration and root damage.

Mulching

It may be beneficial in weed control, besides preserving moisture.

Irrigation

Irrigation should be done whenever necessary. It is important to note that cabbage is relatively shallow rooted, thus may need regular watering if rainfall is not adequate.

Critical water requirement stage for cabbage is at head formation.

Carol Mutua,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

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MY CHICKENS ARE LOSING EYESIGHT

I recently noticed my birds were using one eye. The problem started like a small itch and in days, one eye closed and became a wound.

The problem is affecting even birds that are a month old.

Mithamo

Respiratory diseases and fowl pox commonly affect the eye during their period of manifestation.

Fowl pox forms blisters around the eye and eyelids causing birds to scratch the eyes leading to wounds while respiratory infections cause discomfort leading to rubbing and scratching of the eyelids.

Both infections make the eye susceptible to opportunistic diseases such as infectious coryza, especially if birds are reared in poor sanitary conditions.

Infectious coryza infects the wounded eye causing inflammation and swelling. The eye is then filled with pus leading to impairment of eyesight and blindness in severe cases.

Early detection and treatment of infectious coryza is important since this is a recurrent disease where birds tend to become carriers of the pathogen and get sick when exposed to stressful conditions.

Treatment is carried out by providing broad-spectrum antibiotics in drinking water and application of eye ointment (after squeezing out the pus and cleaning the eye).

On the other hand, fowl pox should be controlled through vaccination of birds at nine weeks of age while respiratory diseases, which include New Castle Disease, infectious bronchitis and chronic respiratory disease should be vaccinated against during the first month of the bird’s life.

Sophie Miyumo,
Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University.

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I WANT TO GROW MINJII IN NGONG

I have an acre in Ngong and I was thinking of venturing into agribusiness but I have no prior agriculture knowledge or experience.

I have also been searching for information on growing minji and so far I have not received any positive results.

I would really appreciate if you would answer the following questions for me.

1. Would minji do well in Ngong? I plan on growing under drip irrigation.

2. What is the best variety of minjii to grow?

3. What is the expected yield per acre?

4. If possible, could you connect me to any minji farmer you know that I can visit and learn first-hand.

Nais Kaurrai

Yes, garden peas will do well in Ngong. Go for Somerwood or Ambassador varieties. The average yield of shelled peas ranges from 1-1.5 tonnes/acre while the yield of pods is 1.2 – 2 tonnes/acre.

Carol Mutua,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

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RASPBERRY SEEDLINGS

Where can one buy raspberry seedlings in Kenya?

Karl

Please contact Steven Mwanzia on [email protected]

Carol Mutua,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

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FROM STUDENT TO CROP FARMER

I am Obara E.O from Rarieda and I have these questions:

a) I would like to transition to agribusiness, how do I go about it? I really would love to use my knowledge in horticulture finally.

First you have to decide on the crops you want to grow and the system you are going to use (open field or protected). Carry out a layout of the land then decide on the rotation plan you are going to use.

Finally, prepare the land. You also need to consider labour, fencing of the farm, irrigation method and source of water.

b) Which crops can thrive in my home in Uyoma, Rarieda?

Sukuma wiki, indigenous vegetables (cowpea, amaranthus, spider plant and nightshade), sweet potatoes, bananas, sorghum, maize, beans, onions, pumpkins.   

c) How do I solve the perennial water shortage challenge I have?

You can buy a tank so that you can harvest rain water during the rainy season.

d) Finally, how do I end up accessing the local markets for sales?

You cannot lack market for your produce as long as you have grown a crop which has a high demand. Before you start, look at the market demand and also crops which are profitable.

Carol Mutua,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.