Cabbage has been grown in Russia since ancient times. Over the centuries, culture has
many varieties appeared, and gardeners learned to notice all the features of heading. Many summer residents wonder: “Do I need to pick off the lower leaves of cabbage?” Let's figure it out.
The most common myth
At the end of summer, those leaves that are near the ground begin to break off from the crop. At the same time, there is an opinion that the head becomes larger, as nutrients flow directly to it. A bad example is contagious, as a result, by the end of August, the vegetable becomes bare in all neighbors. Well, what really happens?
Data
Do I need to pick off the lower leaves of the cabbage? The roots of the plant supply the culture with water, in which mineral substances (phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium and others) are dissolved. Leaves are a “factory” of organic matter. In the light of them, as a result of photosynthesis, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins are produced, that is, all substances due to which the vegetable grows, increases the underground and aboveground parts. The warmer the weather, the faster all the necessary elements are produced.
The head of the vegetable under consideration is poured by
leaves. Do I need to pick off the lower leaves of the cabbage? No need:
photosynthesis processes begin to go slower in the fall, all reserves are expensive. Therefore, you need to pick off only rotten or yellowed leaves, although out of them there is also an outflow of necessary elements.
By picking off green leaves located near the ground, gardeners, on the contrary, reduce the yield, because they deprive the crop of some of the stored nutrients. In addition, when breaking off, cellular juice is attracted that attracts insects. Through micro-wounds, pests and pathogens enter the vegetable.
In addition, the green lower leaves of cabbage are a kind of protection of the plant from overheating and excess moisture. Do not cut them off in the fight against slugs and caterpillars - there are other ways that do not reduce the yield. It is only necessary to resort to “rough agropriem” if the leaves are dried up and do not participate in photosynthesis, or are affected by diseases. This will be discussed further.
Cabbage disease
Like all cruciferous cabbage, cabbage is susceptible to various diseases, but we will consider only those that are associated with yellowing of leaves.
Peronosporosis
The disease can affect seedlings, adult culture, and testes. When infected, the lower leaves of the cabbage turn yellow and become covered with a small white coating on the back. The infection can progress on leaflets near the ground, so in this case they are removed or treated with a mixture of lime and sulfur in a ratio of 1: 1.
Vascular bacteriosis
The disease begins with yellowing of the leaf blade. Gradually, yellowness moves to the middle, veins turn black and form a kind of grid. Further, the infection enters the stump and the fetus itself. When infected with vascular bacteriosis, the lower leaves must be removed in order to prevent the development of the disease.
So we examined the question: "Do I need to pick off the lower leaves of the cabbage?" The answer is the following: it is not necessary if they are not infected or yellowed.