Maturity Signs and Harvesting of Cabbage, Cauliflower and Knol-Khol

Maturity Signs and Harvesting of Cabbage, Cauliflower and Knol-Khol

Maturity Signs of Cabbage:

1. At low elevations cabbage varieties mature in about 62 to 110 days from field setting and about 81 to 125 days at high elevations.
2. Solidity and firmness of head are the usual maturity characteristics used.
3. Head colour turns a lighter shade of green when full development is a attained.
4. They have tendency to burst or loosen the leaves beyond the marketable stage.

Harvesting of Cabbage:

The heads are cut with knife frequently attached with some wrapper leaves.

Maturity Signs of Cauliflower:

1. The best stage of maturity is determined by curd size and condition. Local growers usually harvest the head upon the desired size and before the curds become discolored, loose or otherwise blemished.
2. The head should be compact and not to be broken into segments.
3. Over mature head, becomes too long, flower stalks elongates resulting in loose, leafy condition and possess poor market value.

Harvesting of Cauliflower:

The curds are cut off the stalk with large sharp knife. The large leaves are trimmed away until sufficient jacket leaves remain to protect the curd.

Maturity Signs of Knol-Khol:

1. Harvesting is done when it attains its marketable size i.e. 5 to 7 cm in diameters and bright colour depending upon variety.
2. At this stage the edible portion is tender and non-fibrous.

Harvesting of Knol-Khol:

The knobs are harvested with sharp knife, when they are mature. Foliage is kept while harvesting.