pointed cabbageBrassica oleracea var. capitata f. acuta

pointed cabbage

pointed cabbages

1. pointed cabbage
2. spring cabbage

1. pointed cabbage
2. spring cabbage

1. pointed cabbage
2. spring cabbage

1. Tracheophyta
2. Spermatophyta
3. Magnoliopsida
4. Brassicales

Mustard family

1. Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba
2. Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra
3. Brassica oleracea var. sabauda

1. head
2. leaves

Pointed cabbage is a mild, tender variety of white cabbage with a conical head and a more delicate flavor.

Sow indoors from February or direct sow from April.

Water regularly, mulch, and check for pests.

Harvest when the head is firm, from June to October depending on variety.

Keeps in the refrigerator for about 1–2 weeks.

Raw for salads, steamed, stuffed, or as cabbage rolls.

1. Tasksow_indoor

   Label

   Sow indoors

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 2

   ConditionHeizbare Anzucht möglich

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Sow in seed compost from mid-February.

1. Taskcontinue_indoor

   Label

   Maintain pre-culture

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 3

   ConditionSämlinge vorhanden

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Ensure light and moderate moisture.

1. Taskharden_off

   Label

   Harden off

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 4

   ConditionPflanzen ca. 4 Wochen alt

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Place outside during day, bring in at night.

2. Taskplant_out

   Label

   Plant out

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 4

   ConditionKein Spätfrost zu erwarten

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   From mid-April when soil no longer freezes.

1. Taskdirect_sow

   Label

   Direct sow

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 5

   ConditionBodentemperatur über 8 °C

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Sow seeds 1–2 cm deep in rows.

1. Taskwater_and_weed

   Label

   Water and weed

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 6

   ConditionTrockenheit

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Consistent moisture for good head formation.

1. Taskpest_control

   Label

   Pest control

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 7

   ConditionSichtbare Schädlinge

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Watch for cabbage root fly, flea beetles, and caterpillars.

1. Taskharvest_early

   Label

   Early harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8

   ConditionKopf fest

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Cut heads just above soil level with a knife.

1. Taskharvest_main

   Label

   Main harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 9

   ConditionKöpfe ausgereift

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Harvest regularly before heads split.

1. Taskfinal_harvest

   Label

   Final harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 10

   ConditionVor erstem Frost

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Harvest all heads before hard frost.

Pointed cabbage can be grown in a cold frame or open field. For continuous harvest, sow every two to three weeks.

1. peas
2. beans
3. carrots
4. celery
5. onions
6. leeks
7. spinach

1. other cabbage types
2. radishes
3. garden radish
4. cress
5. rapeseed
6. oilseed radish

1. beans
2. peas
3. leeks
4. carrots
5. potatoes
6. tomatoes

1. all brassicas
2. rhubarb
3. kohlrabi

A minimum four-year break from brassicas prevents clubroot and other soilborne diseases. As a heavy feeder, pointed cabbage leaves a well-supplied soil that should be supplemented for subsequent lower-demand crops.

1. cabbage root flies
2. flea beetles
3. cabbage white caterpillars
4. aphids

1. clubroot
2. downy mildew
3. ring spot
4. black rot

1. maintain crop rotation (at least 4–5 years break from brassicas)
2. use healthy, certified seed
3. erect fine mesh netting against cabbage root fly and flea beetles
4. maintain plant spacing (40–50 cm) for good air circulation
5. keep soil evenly moist, avoid waterlogging
6. promote intercropping with onions, nasturtiums, or marigolds

Check roots if clubroot is suspected. Wilting on hot days often indicates root damage. Aphids are recognized by curled leaves and sticky honeydew. Cabbage white caterpillars are visible on leaves from May.

1. Slugkohlhernie

   Severityhigh

   Conditions

   1. wet soil
   2. pH below 6.5
   3. short rotation
   4. no liming

   Affected parts

   1. roots

   Prevention

   1. lime to pH above 7.0
   2. rotation > 4 years
   3. grow resistant varieties

   Organic control

   1. no direct organic control known
   2. soil improvement through compost and lime
   3. green fallow with resistant plants
2. Slugfalscher_mehltau

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. high humidity
   2. dense planting
   3. moist warm weather

   Affected parts

   1. leaves

   Prevention

   1. wide spacing
   2. promote air circulation
   3. preventive copper sprays

   Organic control

   1. copper-based products (allowed in organic farming)
   2. horsetail tea as a tonic
3. Slugringfleckenkrankheit

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. moist autumns
   2. older leaves
   3. poor air circulation

   Affected parts

   1. leaves

   Prevention

   1. remove diseased leaves
   2. maintain spacing
   3. rotation

   Organic control

   1. copper products
   2. tonics (nettle tea)
4. Slugschwarze_aderfaeule

   Severityhigh

   Conditions

   1. warm, wet weather
   2. infected seed
   3. plant wounds

   Affected parts

   1. leaves
   2. head
   3. vascular bundles

   Prevention

   1. use certified seed
   2. rotation > 3 years
   3. no overhead watering

   Organic control

   1. no direct control
   2. remove infected plants
   3. preventive copper sprays

1. Symptom

   wilting on hot days despite moist soil

   Possible causes

   1. kohlhernie
   2. kohlfliege_larven

   First checks

   1. dig up roots and check for swellings
   2. examine soil for cabbage root fly larvae
2. Symptom

   shot-holes in leaves, especially on young plants

   Possible causes

   1. erdfloehe

   First checks

   1. check undersides of leaves for small black beetles
   2. check soil moisture
3. Symptom

   yellow V-shaped spots at leaf margins

   Possible causes

   1. schwarze_aderfaeule

   First checks

   1. check veins for blackening
   2. inspect head for rot
4. Symptom

   head splitting

   Possible causes

   1. ungleichmaessige_wasserversorgung
   2. bor_mangel

   First checks

   1. check watering consistency
   2. test soil for boron

Monitor your plants regularly, especially in May and June. Healthy plants are more resilient. Act immediately at the first signs of pests or disease. Prevention through crop rotation and site selection is the most effective protection.

1. Germination
2. Young plant
3. Head initiation
4. Head growth
5. Harvest maturity

Pointed cabbage is a biennial plant but is usually harvested in its first year. Head initiation occurs about 6–8 weeks after transplanting.

Once per plant

1. Head firm and closed
2. Head has the typical conical shape
3. Outer leaves begin to open slightly

Cut the head just above the soil with a sharp knife. Remove outer loose leaves. Store the head cool and moist.

Short-term storage

1–2 weeks in the refrigerator

1. Canning
2. Fermenting (sauerkraut)
3. Freezing (blanched)

1. head
2. leaves

1. core (very fibrous, not edible raw)
2. outer wilted leaves

Pointed cabbage, like other cabbage types, contains small amounts of mustard oils which can cause flatulence in large quantities. Otherwise harmless.

Yes, finely shredded or as a salad. Wash and remove the core before eating.

Pointed cabbage is an annual head cabbage, not a woody plant. This section is provided for structural completeness of the schema.

Pointed cabbage offers limited ecological value for native insects. The flowers in the second year are visited by bees, relevant for seed production.