I have several cabbage plants that are almost 18" tall. there are lots of leaves on them, but none of them are forming heads.
2 questions...
1 - Why?
2 - can the leaves be picked and eaten as they are?
Thanx again

Some cabbage varieties have a very long season, that why it is always advisable to know the variety and its characteristics. Cabbage is a heading collard so yes the leaves can be used as collards. Heat may also be a factor , cabbage like cool temps so they may be waiting for cooler temps. Here in Georgia we are just beginning to transplant our fall cabbage.

tfmc said: I have several cabbage plants that are almost 18" tall. there are lots of leaves on them, but none of them are forming heads.
2 questions...
1 - Why?
2 - can the leaves be picked and eaten as they are?

I've seen very nice cabbage growing in the GA mtns... around here, not so much.
I've planted cabbage, and mine haven't produced heads either... if you can keep it alive until temps cool, possibly you might see heads, but I'm not sure I'd hold my breath.

I think that eating like collards would be a plan... and next time, just plant collards and kale.

Aternate plan: I plant both spring and fall cabbage successfully. The key is timing and variety. Spring cabbage are transplanted in February-March, Fall cabbage in September-October. Orlando is higher zone than Augusta, so you will need to adjust the timing. My successful plantings have always varieties with shorter DTM. Long season varieties great than 80 day DTM have not done well.