Cabbage question

[azsnowman]

Gotta question for y'all......I've got some BEEE UTE EFUL cabbage heads, 'bout the size of a soccer ball, only one little problem, the dang things are splitting right in half any ideas as to why???

Dennis

[pvroses]

Ok, I'm giving this a geuss.... Usually when vegies split it's from too little or too much water. I know this doesn't really narrow it down,but I've had tomatos do this too. Too little water and then too much water can cause a sudden growth spurt which causes the cracks. Do you blanch your cabbage ? My granny used to pull the outer leaves of the cabbage up and over the top of the head and then secure them w/ a clothes pin or two. Sounds nuts,but it did keep the cabbage head pure white and also kept out the bugs !! Hopefully someone will have a more professional answer for ya !! ~K

[Johnny]

pvroses pretty much covered it but I'll throw in my 2 cents worth. Splitting is caused by the pressure of excessive water taken up after the heads are solid. Cutting the roots (spading on two sides of the plant) or breaking the roots (lifting and twisting the head to one side) can often reduce excessive splitting or bursting, but it also damages the plant and requires that the head be harvested relatively soon.