Photo: Supplied
Farmer Johan van Staden Sr planted STAR 3316 cabbage seedlings on his farm in Brits on 3 June 2020. The plant population was around 25 000 plants/ha, with 60cm intra-row and 60cm inter-row spacing.
Van Staden began harvesting the crop on 14 September after 104 days, and managed to cut 92% with the first cut. This was despite the 2020 winter being one of the coldest in years, thus proving that STAR 3316 handles the cold very well. STAR 3316 also showed little to no signs of disease.
Van Staden’s STAR 3316 cabbages weighed around 8kg to 10kg per head. Van Staden says he plans to plant STAR 3316 on a bigger scale during his winter planting programme in 2021.
STAR 3316 is known for its large frame and head size, and has an upright growth habit.
The cabbage is medium to late maturing with very good hold ability and shelf life. The following particulars pertain to the STAR 3316 cultivar:
- It is ideal for summer to autumn harvests;
- It has a large, upright frame with excellent head protection;
- It produces uniformly filled heads with a firm internal texture;
- It has good holdability;
- It is medium to late maturing with good holdability, and takes 90 to 110 days from planting to harvesting.
Other cultivars
Starke Ayres offers a wide range of cabbages within its F1 hybrid range for year-round production. Having its own breeding programme enables the company to select specifically for South African conditions, so its varieties are well adapted countrywide.
Starke Ayres’ range of cabbages includes early and medium maturing cabbage varieties.
STAR 3311
STAR 3311 is ideal for summer to autumn harvests. It shows high resistance to black rot, as well as a very uniform growth habit.
This cultivar is early maturing, and takes only 75 to 85 days from planting to harvesting in summer.
Green Star
Green Star is ideal for spring, summer and autumn harvests. This cultivar shows good heat tolerance. Green Star yields semi globe-shaped heads, with excellent internal quality.
It is early maturing, taking only 75 to 85 days from planting to harvesting in summer.
Sapphire
Sapphire is ideal for summer and autumn harvests. It has a large upright frame with a semi-globe head. It shows good uniformity and high yield potential. Sapphire is a medium-maturing cultivar, and takes 85 to 95 days from planting to harvesting in summer.
STAR 3301
STAR 3301 can be grown all year round in moderate climates. It produces exceptionally uniform, round heads. It also shows good holdability.
This cultivar is medium-maturing, and takes 80 to 85 days from planting to harvesting in summer, and 110 to 120 days from planting to harvesting in winter.
Megastar
Megastar is ideal for winter harvests. It presents with a large, upright frame and excellent head protection. It produces cabbages of excellent uniformity and quality. This cultivar has a very high yield potential, and produces cabbages with extra-large heads.
It is medium maturing, and takes 120 to 140 days from planting to harvesting in winter.
Phone Starke Ayres on 0860 782 753. Visit starkeayres.com.
