Those who do not know whether it is possible and necessary to cut off lower leaves in cabbage, they often deprive themselves of good harvest. Let’s figure out why this vegetable reacts so much to human intervention in its natural processes with the help of the knowledge and experience of professionals.
Myths of self-taught gardeners
The most problematic crop for summer residents is cabbage, since seedlings often die in the soil from lack of moisture and fertilizer. But even those sprouts that were able to survive the transplant and take root in the new conditions do not produce desired result- large and dense forks. There can be a lot of reasons for this “fiasco” of gardeners, starting with soil depletion and ending with insects and pests. However, you should not attribute all failures solely to natural factors. An inexperienced gardener also causes great harm to the plant by violating the rules of crop care and interfering with the natural formation of the fork. Therefore, you need to figure out whether it is necessary to pick off the lower leaves of cabbage in more detail. And also take into account the points of view of both beginners and professionals on this issue.
Many “professionals” of land management are convinced that the aesthetic appearance of a head of cabbage should not be spoiled by deformed covering leaves, as in the kitchen experienced housewife, and in the garden. In addition, they even convince you that they know how and when to pick off the leaves of cabbage so that the forks thicken and increase in size. At the same time, adhering to their point of view in growing vegetables, they cannot argue for any of the rules from an agronomic position. Such beliefs are based on the legends of past generations and the advice of self-taught gardeners who themselves do not know whether to pick off the lower leaves of cabbage.
Based not only on experience, but also on knowledge, experts in the field of growing domestic vegetable crops are very categorical on the issue of plucking the covering leaves of cabbage. Their unequivocal negative answer does not apply only to diseased and pest-damaged parts of the vegetable. In other cases, cabbage does not require picking off the lower leaves, which are the assimilation apparatus for the entire plant. Firstly, they protect the forks from penetration of insects who want to profit from juicy cabbage. Secondly, the covering leaves act as a moisture and temperature regulator. And thirdly, they protect the cabbage from infection by various pathogens, so even for storage it is recommended to leave cabbage with several covering leaves.
Consequences of disrupting the natural growth of cabbage
When discussing whether it is necessary to pick off the lower leaves of cabbage, it is necessary to remember that the plant is a complex organism that is independently responsible for its growth. Each of its parts performs its own irreplaceable function, so the removal of covering elements leads to disruption of natural processes. Moreover, this applies not only to green leaves, but also to withered and rotten leaves, which serve as a so-called “garbage chute” for the plant.
Those who still doubt whether it is necessary to tear off the lower leaves of cabbage should be reminded that the cuts of this vegetable actively release juice with a specific odor. And if this aroma is practically invisible to humans, then to insects it is very attractive. Within a couple of minutes after removing the leaf, the cabbage forks will simply be attacked by various pests, and the consequence will be a sick, weak plant and the lack of a good harvest.
Which is grown by all summer residents. In our article we will look at one of the questions that worries many vegetable growers: is it necessary to pick off the lower leaves?
What beginner gardeners say
One of the problematic crops grown on, since quite often death occurs in the ground due to lack of moisture and nutrients.
But even after surviving “hard times,” seedlings are not always able to produce a large and abundant harvest. Various reasons can lead to such an unpleasant situation: exhaustion, and.
However, it does not always fail to grow solely due to natural factors. Not very experienced gardeners who carry out improper care and interfere with the natural formation of the head of cabbage can also harm the crop.
Among newcomers to the dacha business, there is an opinion that in order to give a head of cabbage beautiful view, it is necessary to get rid of the deformed parts.
Some “experts” claim that they know exactly when to pick off the leaves in order to get dense and large forks as a result. But none of these new gardeners can provide clear arguments that would justify the need to pick off leaves from an agrotechnical point of view.
Typically, gardeners rely on various legends and advice from self-taught people like them, who just don’t know whether it’s worth doing or not.
What the professionals say
In such a serious issue, it would not be superfluous to find out what professionals think about this - people who not only rely on experience, but also have special agrotechnical knowledge.
According to experts, it is worth picking off leaves only if they are damaged by diseases and to prevent further spread of the disease.
In all other cases there is no need to terminate. Against, bottom part serves as a kind of protection against pests that strive to feast on delicious food. Also, the lower leaves act as a regulator of moisture and temperature indicators. In addition, it does not allow pathogenic microorganisms to penetrate directly into the head.
Professionals advise not to tear off the lower leaves of cabbage even during storage, so that they protect the vegetable. Most growers give a clear no on whether it should be done, and when questioned, they clearly give a logical explanation for their beliefs.
Consequences of torn leaves
If you are still wondering whether to pick off the leaves of cabbage, think about the fact that the vegetable is a whole organism, and each of its elements performs an important function that ensures normal development and functioning. 
The slightest human intervention in this process disrupts natural processes and weakens. This applies to removing not only healthy leaves, but also those that have a little rot - they are just as important for the development of the crop.
Another argument in favor of not removing the leaves is that the cut of the crop will begin to release juice, which has a specific smell. A person may not notice it, but various insects immediately attack the plant.
As a result of such a misfortune, you risk losing most of the plants and being left without a harvest. Everything that nature creates is important and designed to perform a specific function.
Kirill Sysoev
Calloused hands never get bored!
Content
Wanting to provide good care vegetable crops, many gardeners remove cabbage leaves from below closer to autumn. There is a widespread belief among gardeners that these parts of the plant interfere with the formation of a dense head of cabbage, taking up nutrients. Is it really so? This question needs detailed consideration.
How to care for cabbage in open ground
Obtaining an excellent harvest is possible under certain rules. Seeds obtained with your own labor require preparation. To do this, you need to keep the material immersed in water heated to 50 degrees for 20 minutes, then cool it for a couple of minutes in cold water and dry it. There is no need to do this with seeds purchased at the store. Before sowing, the material is soaked cold water for a day. Hardening increases the ability to germinate and frost resistance. Loose soil mixed with peat, moderate watering, and compliance with temperature and light conditions are favorable for seedlings.
In open ground you need to place strong seedlings of a dark green color with 4-5 leaves. The growing area is marked depending on the size of the fork. The larger the head of cabbage, the further the holes and rows should be made. The average distance between plantings is 50-60 cm. The row arrangement is 70-80 cm. The soil must be watered and fertilized before planting. Compost and wood ash mixed with soil are suitable as top dressing. After fertilizing, the soil needs to be watered again. It is important that the aboveground part of the plants is not covered with soil.
Successful planting of seedlings is already half the battle. However, this is not limited to concern for vegetable crop. Caring for cabbage open ground assumes 2-3 waterings weekly. Then you need abundant irrigation every 7 days using the sprinkling method. Loosening the soil is required every two weeks. Attention should be paid to protection from pests and diseases. For this there are folk remedies, effective chemicals. It is necessary to fertilize the plants several times. Harvesting must take place on time. It is important to allow the forks to mature, but not to allow them to crack.
When can you pick off the lower leaves of white cabbage?
The fork is filled with foliage, where photosynthesis occurs. Absorbed sunlight turns into nutrients. Do I need to pick off the bottom leaves of cabbage? This should not be done if this part of the plant fulfills its function - it provides the head of cabbage with useful substances. In August, closer to autumn, photosynthesis slows down, and all reserves are expensive to ripen. So when should you pick off the bottom leaves of cabbage? Only completely dried or rotten parts need to be removed. Cutting off green foliage, according to agronomists, reduces yields.
In addition, as experience shows, when broken off, cell sap comes out, serving as a bait for insects. Micro-wounds are formed through which pests and pathogens can enter the vegetable. Foliage helps create a microclimate, protects the plant from overheating, excess humidity. It should not be removed even when fighting caterpillars and slugs. There are other ways to do this that do not affect yield.
Should I pick off the bottom leaves of cauliflower?
There is an opinion that removing parts of the plant promotes the formation of forks. Do I need to pick off the bottom leaves of cabbage? It's better not to do this. Foliage is needed for the growth of the head of cabbage. These parts garden crops contain nutrients. Sometimes the leaves are removed to protect the head from the sun when it begins to set. Otherwise, the head of cauliflower or broccoli will become rough. For protection would be better suited burdock or rhubarb.
Similar articlesOf course not! What are you doing?!
The most common myth
we kept rabbits. Cabbage makes rabbits swell. If they are highly purebred, it is better not to risk their poor health. about plucking the lower leaves, this is a deep misconception. the neighbors cut me off, but I didn’t. I had better cabbage. Now the neighbors looked at me and stopped interrupting me.
Facts
formed an understanding with my answer)))
There is no need to delete it for several reasons. If the climate is arid, they retain moisture. In other cases, the lower leaves provide the main nutrition to the head of cabbage, being additional source photosynthesis.
YES WE REMOVE TO THE VERY CAP
But if it’s autumn, the head of cabbage has already grown, but it is too soft and loose, then you can tear off a few of the lower leaves. What will this give? The head of cabbage will no longer grow in size, but will become denser. Therefore, we do not touch small heads of cabbage - they will still grow in size, but for large, loose ones we carry out this procedure. This should be done about a month before harvest. In my case, this is the beginning - mid-September.
Cabbage diseases
I have never removed the leaves, but last year I removed them for the following reason - insects began actively gnawing on them, since they had easy access to these leaves from the ground. There is no difference between the harvest and torn leaves and I didn’t see them uncut. Therefore, you need to pick off the lower leaves “as needed,” depending on the reason. As a rule, this is the beginning of the formation of a head of cabbage or when the leaves turn yellow in appearance (if they lie on the ground, they begin to rot from excess moisture). 
You can check it yourself and remove leaves from several plants (a couple of rows). In the fall, compare the heads of cabbage and you will make sure that the heads of cabbage where you picked off the leaves are smaller and not so dense. I have already done such an experiment.
The debate between opponents and supporters of removing the lower “extra” leaves of cabbage has been going on for a long time and everyone passionately defends their point of view. I never remove healthy lower leaves and rarely complain about cabbage, although there are crop failures. First of all, it is said that the lower leaves create high humidity under the head of cabbage and a shelter for various pests. In addition, they interfere with hilling, without which the cabbage may fall on its side and begin to rot on that side. This is true in many respects, but such care for the plant is needed more by gardeners themselves, since lantern cabbage without leaves is easier and more convenient to care for.
Like all cruciferous vegetables, cabbage is susceptible various diseases, but we will only consider those associated with yellowing of leaves.
Cabbage has been grown in Russia for a long time. Over many centuries, culture
Cabbage leaves are torn off at the end of August, but only those that are close to the ground, this is done so that the cabbage is tied tightly and is not loose (which promotes better storage)
fb.ru
When should you remove the bottom leaves of cabbage?
right
lady v
p. With. and my cabbage still doesn’t sprout heads ((((((((((((
I remove those that are on the ground 
Andrey0817
The heads of cabbage set faster - the juice does not go to the lower leaves It is not necessary to pick off the lower leaves of cabbage.
In fact, there is no need to tear off the lower cabbage leaves, because this will cause great harm to this vegetable.
You can remove a couple of bottom leaves from the cabbage
However, is removing leaves beneficial for cabbage? After all, these are not just rudimentary organs; cabbage initially deposits all its nutrients and reserves in these leaves, which it later uses for the formation and growth of a head of cabbage. The larger these reserves, the better the head of cabbage grows, the more nutrients it receives. Removing these reserves stimulates the cabbage to grow new leaves and instead of spending all its energy on growing the head of cabbage, it stretches upward. But when the function of the lower leaves is completed, they themselves dry out and turn yellow, and then they can be removed.
Peronosporosis
Many varieties have appeared, and gardeners have learned to notice all the features of the ripening of a head of cabbage. Many summer residents ask the question: “Do I need to pick off the lower leaves of cabbage?” Let’s figure it out. This is why our man’s hands itch so much?
Aleso
I believe that to set cabbage heads, tearing off the lower leaves is the correct agronomic technique. In villages (where entire fields were planted with cabbage), peasant women went out to trample cabbage leaves, precisely for the purpose of removing the lower leaves, which had already fulfilled their function.
During hot weather, cabbage uses these leaves to protect itself from overheating, and it also captures moisture from the air.
Leaves are the source of everything for the formation of heads of cabbage. Light, moisture. There is no need to remove unless they are dry and diseased.
incolor
This is done only if a cabbage disease is detected, which is expressed in yellowing, blackening of the leaves of this plant (fungal diseases).
Eurydice
And the process of photosynthesis in cabbage will completely slow down; it is only recommended to tear off those leaves that have rotted or turned yellow.
, when the head of cabbage will already be visible, but this is so that the air circulates better near the root and it does not rot in September.
You can’t pick off the lower leaves of cabbage
The disease can affect seedlings, adult crops and testes. When infected, the lower leaves of cabbage turn yellow and become covered with a small white coating with reverse side. The infection can progress on leaves near the ground, so in this case they are removed or treated with a mixture of lime and sulfur in a 1:1 ratio.
At the end of summer, those leaves that are close to the ground begin to be torn off from the crop. At the same time, there is an opinion that the head becomes larger, since nutrients flow directly to it. A bad example is contagious; as a result, by the end of August, the vegetable becomes bare among all the neighbors. Well, what is really happening?
Frederica
No, that's wrong. The process of photosynthesis occurs in the surface green leaves. The housewife deprived the cabbage organic matter, which are formed during photosynthesis and flow into white leaves
No, not advisable.
Nikolai Sosiura
undesirable
Also, without these leaves, the nutritional properties are quickly lost when stored for the winter.
Since the size of the fork depends on the number of leaves and given that they feed the plant, it is necessary to preserve the number of leaves on the cabbage as much as possible.
dolfanika
And if you pick off the green leaves that are almost close to the ground, you will thereby specifically reduce the cabbage yield.
bolshoyvopros.ru
Do you remove the bottom leaves of cabbage? Why do this?
Alena Kisa
The lower leaves of the cabbage must be torn off when the ovary of the head of cabbage begins to set.
Avel Adamovich
. Through them, the head of cabbage receives power from sunlight and air. Cabbage gets its strength and nutrition not only from the soil.
Ryuzaki_L
Vascular bacteriosis
GENA MATUSHKOV
Is it necessary to pick off the lower leaves of cabbage? The roots of the plant supply the crop with water in which they dissolve minerals(phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium and others). Leaves are a “factory” of organic substances. In the light, as a result of photosynthesis, they produce proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, that is, all the substances due to which the vegetable grows, expands the underground and above-ground parts. The warmer the weather, the faster all the necessary elements are produced.
Alexey K
I tried growing it with and without removing the lower leaves. I decided unequivocally - 2-3 (4) bottom sheets - delete!
Serg Havr
Only if they have turned yellow and dried out.
Now it is not advisable, because cabbage uses the lower leaves as a storehouse of nutrients, so if a drought or something else happens, cabbage can always take these substances from the lower leaves. If you decide to cut it off, the cabbage will begin to grow these leaves again, which will require a lot of effort and time.
I'm deleting
Lesya
Pluck it a week before shredding it for pickling or squeezing it into brine, so that the cabbage can absorb more of it.
Nikita
The leaves of cabbage begin to curl into a head gradually, the upper ones form a head of cabbage, and the lower large, heavy leaves remain lying on the ground. It is at this moment that you need to tear off a couple of leaves, those that already look unpresentable. They look dirty, may be torn, but can be safely removed.
Love
These leaves provide nutrients to the cabbage. They can form microcracks in cabbage, which will attract various insects and pests to it.
I'm on the right
The lower leaves of cabbage usually lie on the ground and thereby attract all sorts of caterpillars and slugs; it is these leaves that need to be removed, and it is best to cut them with a knife.
. Natalia
Don't forget about photosynthesis.
Is it possible to remove the huge side leaves of cabbage if the head is not yet fully formed?
Evgeniy Buikov
The disease begins with yellowing of the leaf blade. Gradually the yellowness moves towards the middle, the veins become black and form a kind of mesh. Then the infection penetrates into the stalk and the fruit itself. When infected with vascular bacteriosis, the lower leaves must be removed in order to prevent the development of the disease.
...Irbis...Snowy...
The head of the vegetable we are considering is filled with leaves. Do I need to pick off the bottom leaves of cabbage? No need: photosynthesis processes begin to slow down in the fall, all supplies are expensive. Therefore, you only need to pick off rotting or yellowed leaves, although they also drain essential elements.
KATERINKA
If you don’t remove 3 leaves now, growing “inside out” and touching the soil, then you will remove 5-6 top leaves, which will be stained and covered in snail poop.
Vladimir Drozdov
Elena Gubaidullina
Only yellowed lower leaves, rotten or diseased, can be removed from cabbage. The rest remains until the heads of cabbage are harvested.
Irina
Only 3-4 lower ones.
I don’t remove it while it’s growing, only when I pull it out.
In the Urals, the lower leaves of cabbage are torn off before pruning... so that the heads of cabbage do not rot during the rains, they are ventilated.
Vladimir Bendrikov
You can pick off such leaves in cabbage only if there are diseases or some kind of rot.
Lidiya Gultyaeva
The cabbage stalk should have no lower leaves adjacent to the ground.
_fame
Plus, moisture is better retained under the leaves, and cabbage cannot grow in dry soil.
Alexey
So we looked at the question: “Is it necessary to pick off the lower leaves of cabbage?” The answer is: it is not necessary if they are not infected and have not turned yellow.
The housewife picked the top green leaves of the cabbage to feed the rabbits. Did she do the right thing? This is for biology
Alex
By tearing off the green leaves that are close to the ground, gardeners, on the contrary, reduce the yield, because they deprive the crop of some of the stored nutrients. In addition, when broken off, cell sap is released, which attracts insects. Pests and pathogens enter the vegetable through micro-wounds.
Lyudmila
I only pick off the yellowed ones and if they are already lying directly on the ground, but they don’t
Lyudmila Klochkova
Of course not, otherwise the cabbage will have little earth power.
Ksenia Kobzeva
If the heads of cabbage are already ripe, then that’s absolutely correct. If there are no heads of cabbage, then this is a mistake; the surface area for photosynthesis has decreased; a head of cabbage may not form at all.
Lyubov Andrukhova
It’s better not to remove it yet, as soon as the head of cabbage is formed, and then we don’t remove it late in the fall, we just remove it, two weeks before harvesting
New day
My cabbage does not grow at all
Should I pick off the leaves of cabbage?
Lyudmila Gushchina
for cabbage rolls
Hedgehog
You need to pick off cabbage leaves when they have turned yellow or withered.
NATALI NATALI
Opinions differ regarding the removal of the lower leaves of cabbage; most come to the conclusion that it is not worth removing them, since it is from these leaves that the rest of the cabbage comes from.
Nadezhda Kotsareva
It is a mistake that some gardeners tear off the lower leaves and say that they take away excess strength and nutrition. These are not tomatoes.
Nikita Mironov
When are the lower leaves of cabbage torn off?
Alexandra Marchenko
In addition, the green lower leaves of cabbage are a kind of protection for the plant from overheating and excess moisture. You should not tear them off in the fight against slugs and caterpillars - there are other ways that do not reduce the yield. It is necessary to resort to “rough agricultural practices” only if the leaves are dry and do not participate in photosynthesis, or are affected by diseases. This will be discussed further.
Andrey Proshkin
Under no circumstances! A direct relationship between the size and quality of cabbage heads (the content of dry matter, sugars, fiber, vitamins, etc.) and the number of healthy and full-fledged leaves of the cabbage plant was revealed. By tearing off leaves you obviously reduce the harvest, its quality and safety.
Healthy green leaves Picking cabbage is harmful; the yield of cabbage heads depends on the number of leaves in the rosette. The lower leaves of cabbage are the main assimilation apparatus that works for the harvest; nutrients from them enter the inner, white leaves of the head of cabbage. At the same time, the dry matter content increases from outer leaves head of cabbage to the central ones. In addition, the green leaves are covered with a waxy coating, which protects the plant from pests, diseases and mechanical damage. The outer green leaves of cabbage contain 57 mg of vitamin C, the middle and white leaves contain 31–36 mg, and the leaves of the central part of the cabbage contain 24–26 mg. Therefore, removing a large number of outer leaves leads to a depletion of cabbage in vitamin C. Each cut leaf provokes the death of the root system, and the head of cabbage receives less nutrients. It is not entirely advisable to remove even yellowed leaves, since the outflow of nutrients from them and the petioles into the head of cabbage continues. By cutting off the lower leaves, the gardener deliberately reduces the yield and quality of the product. In addition, through wounds they enter the plant. pests, causing diseases.
Mid-ripening and late-ripening varieties of cabbage in August-September very intensively gain the weight of the head of cabbage due to the lower green leaves. The daily weight gain is 100 g or more, and the head of cabbage itself becomes very compact. If you cut cabbage with green leaves, the outflow of nutrients into the head will continue and its weight can increase up to 15%.
Some gardeners cite the fact that the lower leaves are located close to the ground, they are attacked by slugs, pests lay eggs, and plants are affected by vascular bacteriosis. You should not pick off the lower green leaves in the fight against slugs and caterpillars; there are many other ways to do this. To prevent slugs, sprinkle the soil around the plants with wood ash. To prevent leaf-eating insects, plant celery, which repels butterflies from laying eggs. Dill, garlic, onions, mint, and sage have the same properties.
At vascular bacteriosis the edges of the leaves turn yellow and become parchment-like, the veins turn black. In this case, removing the lower leaves will not help; you must remove the entire plant, but carefully so as not to infect the rest. It is very important to observe prevention against bacteriosis: warming the seeds for 20 minutes in hot water up to 50 degrees followed by rapid cooling. Pickling garlic in an infusion (25 g per 100 ml of water) and culling diseased plants during the seedling period help.
Spraying seedlings in the phase of 2-3 true leaves with phytolavine (20 ml per 10 liters of water) works well. initial period development of the disease, copper-based preparations can be used. When the first signs of the disease appear, the plants are sprayed with a 0.1% planriz solution. Here are the activities that need to be done, rather than picking the leaves, to keep the cabbage healthy.
Sometimes the lower leaves are removed early ripening varieties to prevent cracking of heads of cabbage that are already ripe, but which have nowhere to go yet. In this case better than cabbage pull the head of cabbage to tear the roots a little, or trim with a shovel, limiting the flow of moisture into the plant. In this case, the head of cabbage remains marketable for a long time and the leaves do not fade.
There is an opinion that the heads of cabbage are formed loose and the lower leaves are supposedly cut off to compact them. But the heads of cabbage are usually loose with an abundant supply of nitrogen and a low supply of potassium and phosphorus.
Remember! Leaves of any type of cabbage can be removed only when they have ceased to participate in photosynthesis and have dried out or are rotting due to oversaturation of the soil with moisture. In this case, it is necessary to first carry out deep loosening of the soil and drainage of water.
