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 __________ 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