Name: Red Pointed Cabbage 'Kalibos' - Brassica oleracea var. capitata alba
Brand: Benjis Seeds
Price: 3.0 EUR
Availability: OutOfStock

Red Pointed Cabbage ‘Kalibos’ – rare red-purple pointed cabbage from the Czech Republic with tender heads for eating raw.

This open-pollinated red cabbage variety combines striking pointed heads with tender, juicy leaves and a pleasantly mild, sweet flavour. The red-purple heads have a small internal stem and are particularly well suited to finely shredded raw salads. Whether steamed, briefly fried or fermented into pink sauerkraut, the variety also brings versatility to cooked dishes. In Mediterranean climates, cultivation during the milder growing periods is recommended, while in Central European climates the variety is particularly suitable for summer and autumn harvesting.

Origin & History

‘Kalibos’ originates from the Czech Republic and was developed by Moravoseed from the regional red cabbage variety ‘Vysocké’. It therefore traces its origins to a Czech landrace from which a distinct open-pollinated variety was developed. Its characteristic feature is the combination of a pointed head shape with exceptionally tender, red-purple leaves. By 1997 at the latest, ‘Kalibos’ was also known outside the Czech Republic, and the following year it was entered in the Czech national variety register. Its origins link the variety to the old regional diversity of red cabbage, while it subsequently became established as a distinct variety in the European seed trade.

One of the traditional uses of ‘Kalibos’ is lactic fermentation to produce pink sauerkraut. Its mild, sweet leaves are also valued for salads. This gives the variety a different range of uses from many particularly firm red cabbages bred for long-term storage. Today, ‘Kalibos’ is grown both in home gardens and in organic vegetable production and continues to be propagated as an open-pollinated variety. Its upward-pointing heads and tender leaf structure remain the defining characteristics of this Czech speciality.

Appearance & Characteristics

The plants grow upright and form a spreading rosette of broad, red-purple to blue-purple leaves with a slightly waxy coating. At the usual harvesting stage, they generally reach around 40–60 cm in height. An elongated, distinctly pointed head develops from the centre, with leaves that are less densely packed than those of many traditional red cabbage varieties bred for storage. The outer stem can become comparatively long. The plants tolerate light frost, but the heads should be harvested or protected before severe or prolonged frost. Plants overwintered for seed production develop branched flower stalks with yellow flowers in their second year.

Head details:

Size: Medium to large, around 1.5–2.5 kg per head
Shape: Elongated to conical, distinctly pointed at the top
Color: Red-purple to purplish red, with pale leaf veins when cut
Texture: Tender, juicy and fine-leaved, pleasantly crisp when raw
Flavor: Mild, sweet and delicately cabbage-like

Usage & Cultivation Highlights

The tender leaves are particularly suitable for finely shredded raw salads and colourful coleslaws. Lightly steamed, stir-fried or braised as red cabbage, they retain a pleasant bite when cooked gently. The heads are also suitable for stuffing, pickling and fermenting. Lactic fermentation produces a striking pink sauerkraut. For longer-term storage, the cabbage can also be blanched and frozen in portions. Its strengths lie in fresh preparation and preserving through processing, rather than storing whole heads for several months.

In cultivation, ‘Kalibos’ has comparatively good resistance to splitting, so mature heads do not need to be harvested immediately. The medium to large heads provide a generous yield while remaining practical for processing in manageable portions at home. Staggered planting allows the harvest of fresh cabbage to be spread over a longer period. Its tolerance of light autumn frosts extends the harvesting season beyond the warmer months without restricting the variety to winter cultivation.

Compared with many round-headed red cabbage varieties, ‘Kalibos’ stands out for its pointed heads, tender leaf structure and mild, sweet flavour. It is particularly suitable for eating raw and for dishes requiring only brief cooking, while very firm storage varieties of red cabbage are better suited to keeping whole heads for extended periods.

Cultivation_Overview_-_Anbau_im_Uberblick_-_Visao_geral_do_cultivo_-_www

Origin & Cultivation at a Glance

First mention:

1997

Origin:

Czechia

Breeder:

Moravoseed

Propagation site:

Hesse - Germany

Suitable for:

Open field, Raised bed

Overwintering:

Outdoors only in mild regions – overwinter with frost protection in colder regions.

Special features:

High-yielding, Low-maintenance, Resilient, Cold-hardy

Cultivation guide for

Red Pointed Cabbage ‘Kalibos’

Growing difficulty:

Medium

Care requirements:

Medium – requires some attention.

This variety grows best in deep, humus-rich and well-drained loamy soil with good water-holding capacity. Before planting, loosen the soil deeply, incorporate well-rotted compost and then allow the soil to settle well so that the plants have firm support. Avoid waterlogging and acidic soils, and apply lime only if the soil pH is correspondingly low.

For sowing under cover, fill small trays with seed compost and moisten it. Sow the seeds with some space between them on the surface and cover with a 0.5–1 cm layer of soil. Firm gently, water carefully and keep evenly moist at 18–20 °C. Germination usually takes 7–14 days. Around 3–4 weeks after sowing, once the first true leaves have developed, carefully prick out individually into small pots or module trays, then continue growing in a bright, slightly cooler position.

Plant well-rooted young plants with several true leaves into the bed around 4–6 weeks after sowing. Leave 40–50 cm between plants within the row and 50–60 cm between rows. Keep the root ball as undisturbed as possible, keep the centre of the plant above soil level and water thoroughly. Water regularly and maintain a consistent water supply while the heads are forming. Remove weeds, loosen the surface of the soil and apply additional organic fertiliser as needed. Earth up plants with long stems lightly. A closely fitted vegetable protection net protects against cabbage root flies and butterflies. Harvest the heads once they are well developed and feel firm when gently pressed.

Mediterranes Klima

In Mediterranean climates, we recommend sowing under cover in small trays from July to August or from January to February in a bright position protected from intense midday heat. Plant the young plants outdoors after 4–6 weeks, from August to September or from February to April, in a sunny to lightly shaded, airy position. Head formation should take place mainly during the milder months, as prolonged heat and drought can adversely affect development and leaf quality. For autumn crops, avoid waterlogging and protect the plants when severe frost is forecast. Plants raised in summer are harvested from late autumn into winter, while those raised in early spring are harvested from late spring to early summer.

Mitteleuropäisches Klima

In Central European climates, we recommend sowing under cover in small trays from March to May in a bright, sufficiently warm position. Plant the young plants outdoors after 4–6 weeks, from April to June, in a sunny, airy position. Protect early plantings with fleece when severe frost is forecast. Water regularly during dry summer periods to keep the leaves tender and ensure that the heads develop evenly. Depending on the sowing time, harvesting takes place from summer into autumn. Mature heads tolerate light frost but should be harvested before prolonged severe frost.

Cultivation tips:

• A layer of mulch keeps the soil evenly moist and suppresses weeds.
• Loosen only the surface of the soil to avoid damaging the roots.
• Cover with insect-proof netting immediately after planting, ensuring there are no gaps, to keep cabbage root flies and butterflies out.
• Earth up plants with long stems lightly to keep them stable.
• Keep healthy outer leaves intact until harvest, as they support the developing head.
• Allow frozen heads to thaw completely before harvesting.

Storage instructions:

Store seeds in a cool, dry, dark, and airtight environment to maximize shelf life and germination.

Detailed information on seed storage

Plant Profile

Red Pointed Cabbage ‘Kalibos’

Plant details

Botanical name:

Brassica oleracea L. 'Kalibos'

Botanical family:

Brassicaceae – cabbage family

Plant type:

Brassica vegetables

Growth habit:

Upright growth, Herbaceous, Forms a rosette

Plant width:

50–70 cm

Plant height:

40–60 cm

Root type:

Taprooted, Moderately to deep rooted

Hardy to:

−7 °C – protection recommended

Cultivation period:

4-7 months

Life cycle:

Biennial

Sowing & Planting

Germination type:

Light-independent germinator

Sowing depth:

0,5-1 cm

Germination temperature:

18–20 °C

Germination time:

7-14 days

Pot culture:

Not recommended - better grown in garden beds or raised beds.

Row spacing for baby leaf:

Not suitable for baby-leaf cultivation.

Plant spacing:

40–50 cm

Row spacing:

50–60 cm

Pricking out / thinning out:

3-4 weeks, thin out after formation of the first true leaf pairs.

Planting time:

Young plants raised under cover can be planted out around 4–6 weeks after sowing.

Soil

Soil type:

Deep, well-drained, humus-rich loam

Soil pH:

6.5-7.5 - slightly acidic to alkaline

Nutrient requirements:

Heavy feeder

Soil moisture:

Evenly moist, Sensitive to waterlogging

Soil preparation:

Loosen the soil deeply before planting, Apply compost before planting., Apply lime to acidic soil., Prepare soil weed-free and with a fine crumb structure., Mulch layer for moisture regulation

Companion planting, Crop rotation & Harvest

Companion plants:

Leaf celery, Dwarf beans, Spinach, Beetroot

Incompatible plants:

Strawberry

Crop rotation guidelines:

• Do not plant after other crucifers - at least 3 years interval recommended.

Sowing to harvest:

4-5 months

Harvested parts:

Leaves, Heads

Suitable for consumption:

Yes - edible raw.

Intended use:

Raw consumption, Salad, Steaming, Cooking, Roasting, Grilling, Stuffing, Pickling, Fermentation, Freezing

Care & Cultivation practices

Water requirements:

Moderate to high

Plant care techniques:

Water regularly - even during dry periods, Loosen and hoe, Fertilize, Hill up, Maintain weed-free, Inspect regularly for pest infestation

Plant protection:

Slug protection recommended, Vegetable protection net advisable., Mulching recommended, Check early for aphids., Frost protection is recommended during prolonged frost or when temperatures around −7 °C are forecast

Cultivation notes:

Susceptible to slugs and snails in early development. Flea beetles may appear during dry conditions – regular monitoring is recommended. Growth stops under drought – consistent water supply required. Sensitive to waterlogging – use well-drained soil.

Propagation method:

Generative propagation by seed

Propagation:

• This variety is pollinated by insects and belongs to the species Brassica oleracea.
• For seed production, a minimum isolation distance of 150 m from other varieties of the same species is recommended.
• For seed saving, collect seeds from at least 60 healthy, true-to-type plants.
• Overwinter selected plants and allow them to flower in the second year.
• In spring, make a shallow cross-shaped cut in the top of the heads to allow the flowering shoot to emerge more easily.
• The seeds are ready to harvest once the pods turn yellow-brown.
• Allow harvested pods to finish drying in a well-ventilated place, remove the seeds, clean them and dry them thoroughly.

Other names

EN - English names:

• Red pointed cabbage • Red cabbage

DE - German names:

• Roter Spitzkohl • Spitzrotkohl • Rotkohl • Rotkraut • Blaukraut

PT - Portuguese names:

• Couve-roxa • Repolho-roxo

ES - Spanish names:

• Lombarda • Col lombarda • Repollo morado

FR - French names:

• Chou rouge pointu • Chou rouge

Further recommendations for you

Open-pollinated and reproducible

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Red Pointed Cabbage 'Kalibos' - Brassica oleracea var. capitata alba

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