Cabbage plants produce seeds through a process called bolting, where they grow a flower stalk.
The Process of Seed Production in Cabbage
When a cabbage plant reaches maturity and experiences certain environmental triggers, it transitions from growing its leafy head to developing flowers and eventually seeds. This process is known as bolting.
According to the reference, the cabbage plant sends this flower/seed stalk directly out of the cabbage core. This stalk will then bear flowers, which, after pollination, develop into seed pods containing the cabbage seeds.
What Causes Bolting?
Bolting is primarily triggered by temperature stress.
- High temperatures: Cabbage will normally bolt when the temperatures are too high, usually above 80°F.
- Cold temperatures: However, bolting can also be caused by the cold.
Experiencing a period of cold followed by warmer temperatures (vernalization) is often required for the plant to initiate flowering and seed production in its second year of growth (as cabbage is typically a biennial), but temperature extremes or fluctuations can cause bolting prematurely even in the first year.
From Flower to Seed
Once the plant bolts and the stalk emerges from the core, it produces numerous small flowers. These flowers attract pollinators (like bees) or can be self-pollinated depending on the variety. After successful pollination, the flowers wither, and seed pods (siliques) form in their place along the stalk. As these pods dry and mature, they contain the viable cabbage seeds ready for harvest.
To summarize the process:
- Cabbage plant matures and experiences temperature stress (high or cold).
- The plant initiates bolting.
- A flower/seed stalk is sent directly out of the cabbage core.
- Flowers develop on the stalk.
- Flowers are pollinated.
- Seed pods form from the pollinated flowers.
- Seeds mature within the pods.
Bolting is a natural part of the cabbage plant's life cycle for reproduction, though it makes the leafy head inedible.
