Cole Crops: Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower Introduction

Are varieties of Brassica oleracea Are members of the _________________ family

Can be pungent Contain ____________________

Shown to have anti-carcinogen effects

Environmental requirements Cool season Biennial

Head we consume is produced the first year Second year after a ___________ treatment it will flower

Cole Crops Keys to producing

cole crops Transplanted

Transplant stems _____________ that pencil size in diameter

Rapid growth/ no stress

_______________ must be controlled

What is a cabbageworm? A group of 3 _________

that feed on cole crops

Adults lay eggs on ___________ of leaves

Overwinter on trash of host plants

Can be controlled with _________ or synthetic insecticides

Cabbage (Brasscia oleracea Capitata group)

Background Developed from wild,

leafy, ______________ plants that occur throughout Europe

History Cabbage was in general use by ______ B.C.

Was a leafy type Heading types first described in 1500’s

Could be stored over the winter

Cabbage forming a head

Cabbage Are consuming leaves Plant characteristics

Have a wide range Color from ________ to ________ Leaf character from smooth

to savoyed leaves Head shape from flat to ________ Maturity from early (______ days)

to late (______ days) Late maturing used for cabbage grown over the

winter

Chinese ornamental cabbage

Early Jersey Wakefield

Cabbage Cultivation

Planting Can withstand

temperatures below _____ F

Can plant at 2 times Early spring

Early summer crop Use transplants

Late summer Fall crop

Transplants used Adequate _______________

fertilizer important

Cabbage

Harvesting Harvest when

____________ has become fairly firm but before it _______________ or splits

Heads from late maturing cultivars can be stored for several months at _______ F and high humidity in pits or root cellars

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea Italica group)

Background Developed from

various leafy cabbage forms in southern _________

Plant characteristics Forms a loose flower

__________ on a tall, green, branching stalk

Adapted to all parts of the U.S.

Can harvest over an extended period by harvesting _________ heads

Broccoli Are consuming

unopen flower buds

Harvesting Harvest central ____

together with 6 inches of stem

Harvest __________ the flower buds start opening and develop a ___________ color

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea Botrytis group)

Background Originated from a

leafy form of cabbage in southern ______________

Is the most difficult to grow among the cole crops

Must be blanched Does not tolerate

______________

Cauliflower

Characteristics Grown for white head

called a ______________ Head is formed from shortened flower parts

at the top of the plant Temperature response

Too much ______________ prevents the head from forming

Plant is more sensitive to ______________ than cabbage

Cauliflower Blanching

Some cultivars are self-blanching Leaves grow over top of the curd

If not self-blanching, leaves should be tied ______ around the head

Why blanch? Keeps a whiter head Protects against __________ Protects against __________ injury Prevents off-flavor

Cauliflower Harvest Curds are harvested based on their

___________ Buying a quality curd depends on:

Florets being tightly closed White color No purple color on

stems or florets No black spots on

curds Caused by ______

soft rot