Napa cabbage is the best-known variety of the Chinese
cabbages with large, full-size heads and good disease resistance. The
oblong heads have pale green, crinkly leaves on the outside with creamy yellow
inside. The Bilko cabbage variety is a good type of Napa to grow.
Bilko Napa Cabbage Plants
Napa cabbage, with its sweet, mild flavor, can be eaten raw
or cooked. Chinese cabbage is good for slaws, braising, stir frying, soups and
pickling. The nutritious veggie is high in vitamin K, potassium, calcium, and
antioxidants. Uncooked cabbage promotes intestinal health with an important
amino acid as well as adds roughage to your diet.
The Bilko Napa cabbage variety boasts 12-inch (30 cm.) heads
and disease resistance to clubroot
and fusarium
yellows. It is a slow bolting variety recommended for home gardens.
Tips for Growing Bilko Cabbages
The Bilko cabbage variety can be grown in spring or fall in
cool or cold conditions with a minimum temperature of 40 degrees F. (4 C.). It
can be started indoors or outdoors. In the spring, start seeds 4 to 6 weeks
before the last frost. In the fall, start seeds 10 to 12 weeks before the first
frost. Bilko cabbage plants tolerate a light frost.
Expect 65-70 days to maturity in spring and summer, and
70-85 days to mature in fall and winter.
Bilko cabbage plants are heavy feeders, so plenty of compost
should be worked into the planting bed. Provide full sun, at least six hours a
day, and moderate water.
Bilko Chinese cabbage is ready to harvest when heads are
firm. Harvest promptly to avoid bolting. Bilko cabbage can last several weeks
in the refrigerator if trimmed and wrapped in paper bags. Cabbage can keep for
an extended period in a cool basement or cellar.
Pests and Diseases
Prevent attacks by caterpillars,
flea
beetles, and cabbage
root maggots by covering plants with floating row covers. Cabbage
loopers, armyworms
and velvety green cabbageworms can be removed by hand or, if squeamish, spray
or dust plants with a biological
pesticide containing Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis).
Control slugs
and snails
by using sand, diatomaceous
earth, eggshells or copper wire around plants.
Crop
rotation and good sanitation will help prevent disease.
