Peking cabbage and its cultivation

Most gardeners grow various types of cabbage on their plots. Many people prefer Peking cabbage varieties. Today we will talk about what features and characteristics this crop has, how to grow and plant it correctly.

This crop was originally grown in China. Gradually, it spread to European countries, Russia and the United States. At first, the selection of this culture was carried out exclusively by amateurs.

Professional experiments began in the 40-60s of the last century after the appearance of this cabbage in Japan. A variety of this cabbage, "Khibinskaya 5", was created in the Soviet Union back in the 70s. Currently, the best species are the Dutch Peking cabbage.

This plant is a cold-tolerant herbaceous biennial crop that belongs to the Cabbage family. In practice, the culture is used as an annual plant. This vegetation is of two types: leaf and head. Heads of cabbage are distinguished by their elongated shape, their length is 30-60 centimeters.

Heads of cabbage range in color from light yellow to bright and rich green. The taste of this cabbage is very similar to the Romano salad. She's just as juicy. Its leaves contain a large number of important useful components, including proteins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, citric acid.

Compared to Chinese cabbage, this variety is more tender. The difference lies in the longer shelf life. In addition, Chinese cabbage retains vitamin C in itself much longer.

This cabbage can be eaten fresh. It is also often boiled, pickled, fried or stewed. It is rich in fiber. It should be used in the diet to normalize metabolism. Chinese cabbage also helps with gout, edema, pressure surges. It is recommended for use by people who suffer from diabetes, frequent headaches, hepatitis, diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Now we will look at what are the most popular varieties of this culture.

• "Russian size". This variety is considered a high-yielding variety. It can fully grow and develop under adverse conditions. “Russian size” matures for a relatively long time. From the moment of planting in the ground to assembly, 75-80 days pass. Heads of cabbage have an elongated shape. The leaves on them are wavy, light green. The inside of the leaf blades are usually creamy yellow. The weight of each head of cabbage reaches up to 4 kg. The variety is not afraid of temperature extremes, diseases. It has a high content of beneficial carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

• "Victoria". This variety of cabbage is considered an early one. It has excellent taste and good aroma. Victoria is ideal for preparing a wide variety of dishes. Heads of cabbage of this variety have a cylindrical shape. Their leaves are light green, friable. The leaf blades are located quite tightly to each other. Cabbage is considered quite juicy and is often used to make juices at home. It can be stored in a cool room for a long time.Taste characteristics persist for three months.

• "Cha-Cha". This early variety is hybrid, it is perfect for planting in the middle lane, including in the Moscow region. The Cha-Cha variety can be grown both by seedlings and by direct sowing into the ground. Harvesting after planting on the site can be done after 40-50 days. Ripe specimens weigh on average 2-3 kg.

• "Orange tangerine". This variety is considered the fastest ripening. It is permissible to plant it not only in spring, but also throughout the summer season. In a warm climate, cabbage ripens in 35-40 days. "Orange tangerine" has an average weight of 1 kilogram. The variety is ideal for growing in Siberia. She easily tolerates sudden changes in temperature.

• Martha. The variety is shade tolerant. It has the shortest ripening period. This cabbage has rather large and wide leaf blades. It boasts excellent taste. A ripe head of cabbage weighs up to 1.5 kg. Sowing for seedlings is carried out from mid-spring. Seed planting is carried out from mid-May.

• "Garnet". This variety is mid-season and high-yielding. "Pomegranate" has an elongated head of cabbage. The leaf blades are located as tightly as possible to each other. They are dark green in color. The fruits are relatively large, each weighing up to 2.5 kg. This variety is resistant to various diseases and pests.

• "Autumn Beauty". This hybrid variety is considered mid-season. It is characterized by a raised rosette of leaves. All leaf blades have a dark green color, their surface is bubbly, with weak pubescence. Heads of cabbage are large enough, their shape is elongated. They have an average density, in the context they are yellow in color. The variety boasts good disease and pest resistance. In addition, it is rich in carotene, proteins, carbohydrates. The variety should be used for stewing, boiling and fresh consumption.

• "Red Dragon". The variety is considered a salad variety. It looks unusual, the leaves of this vegetation have a rich bright purple color. They have a corrugated surface. The leaf blades are very juicy, contain a large amount of vitamins and other useful components. The Red Dragon is a mid-season and high-yielding subspecies. The head of cabbage has an elongated cylindrical shape. It is quite dense, even. Its average weight is 1-1.5 kg. "Red Dragon" has an excellent taste, the variety is suitable for long storage (4-5 months without loss of nutrients and commercial qualities) and processing.

• KS 888 F1. This hybrid subspecies was created by Japanese breeders. It matures approximately 60-65 days after planting in open soil. The variety is barrel-shaped. The leaf blades are purple in color with white veins. Each head of cabbage reaches a mass of 1-2 kilograms. The dimensions are relatively large. KS 888 F1 has an excellent refreshing taste. It can be used both raw and for preparing various dishes, including salads. The harvested crop can be stored for 4-5 months. It is recommended to send such a hybrid to storage in a refrigerator or in a dark basement.

This cabbage can be planted in two ways.

In this case, the seedlings are sown first. Most often, seed is initially planted in peat pots. Periodically it is watered with settled liquid. When 2-3 young green leaves are formed on the vegetation, they start planting on the site.

If you originally sowed the material in peat containers, then you do not need to extract the plants from them. They are planted in the ground with them.

Before planting, you must also prepare the site. This is done in spring or autumn. The soil must be carefully dug up, all plant residues must be removed, including the roots of old plants. If digging is carried out in the autumn season, humus or compost must be introduced into the soil.

Seedlings should be planted according to a certain scheme:

• 35x35 or 50x50 cm (these schemes are used for growing large cabbage heads);
• 30x25 (this option is used for growing lettuce leaves).

Immediately before planting, depressions are formed in the soil. Their size should correspond to the root system of the seedlings. Next, superphosphate, wood ash, and urea are added to each hole made. All components are added one tablespoon at a time.

Then peat pots with vegetation are carefully laid out in the seats and sprinkled with earth. The planted plant is well moistened right under the root. The liquid must be slightly warmed up so as not to harm the culture.

In this case, the seed is immediately planted in the soil at the site. This option is perfect for a late harvest. Homemade seeds will need preliminary preparation (if they were purchased from a specialized store, preparation is not required). Initially, the material is carefully placed between separate layers of damp cloth. In this form, everyone is sent to a warm place.

After 3-4 days, small shoots will begin to form in the strong and healthy seeds. Sprouted samples are placed in a container filled with a substrate. After another 3-4 days, shoots should appear. Homemade material must be pre-treated with an antifungal agent. Shortly before planting on the site, the seed is first placed in heated water for 10-15 minutes (with a temperature not higher than 50 degrees), and then immediately dipped into a cold liquid. Immediately before planting, it is well dried.

In order for a culture to grow and develop normally, it is necessary to properly care for it.

Vegetation should be watered periodically abundantly (once every 7 days). A warm and clean liquid is taken for the procedure. Remember that it must be poured exclusively at the root, since water trapped on the leaf blades will provoke burns. Watering is best done in the evening or in the morning, at this time there is no aggressive sun. Excessive moisture should not be allowed, because this can cause rotting of the root system. Humidity should be no higher than 60-65%.

Peking cabbage is considered a fast growing crop, so it especially needs fertilization. Only 2-3 dressings will allow you to achieve maximum yield. Ready-made foliar nutritional formulations are the best option. They can be combined with root components. To prepare a simple universal composition, 1 liter of boiling water is taken, boric acid is dissolved in it (a couple of grams).

When the component is completely dissolved in the liquid, cold clean water is also added there to end up with 10 liters of the composition. You need to spray the plant with the finished fertilizer; it is recommended to do this in the evening.

Various types of Chinese cabbage can suffer from the following diseases.

• Fungal infections. These include diseases such as gray rot, powdery mildew. They damage crops that receive excessive water and are grown in high temperature conditions.
• Keela. It develops on the root system and stems.Infection leads to the fact that the vegetation begins to bend, swelling appears on it. Sick specimens must be removed from the site in a timely manner.
• Blackleg. This disease most often affects young cabbage.

If infected, the affected plants can be sprinkled with wood ash (most often this technique is used for powdery mildew).

You should also treat the culture with ready-made preparations ("Binoram", "Fitoverm"). It is worth using the compositions in strict accordance with the instructions.

In addition, vegetation can be affected by various parasites:

• cruciferous midge;
• scoops;
• flies;
• slugs;
• cabbage flea;
• aphid.

To prevent parasites from appearing, it is necessary to plant in the beds where mustard, other cabbage or radishes previously grew. For prophylaxis, ash treatment is also carried out. It is simply scattered around the plantings. Also, as a preventive measure, the culture is sprayed with a solution made on the basis of mustard powder, tobacco dust, ash and hot red pepper.

The harvest period and shelf life of such a crop will depend on the characteristics of the particular variety. As a rule, heads of cabbage have an increased resistance to cold weather, so you should not be in a hurry with harvesting.

Plants planted in the second half of the summer season will ripen in early September. Later varieties are ready for harvest in the middle of the same month. Early maturing species are not taken for winter storage, and cabbage, which was planted in July, can lie until the end of winter.

In any case, the heads of cabbage must be harvested before the onset of frost, since the frozen specimens will be unsuitable for storage. Overripe plants should not be allowed because overgrown heads of cabbage will not taste great. Plants should not be watered immediately before harvesting.

For long-term storage, it is permissible to send fully ripe and formed heads of cabbage. There can be no rotten areas and affected leaves on their surface. Store this cabbage either in the refrigerator or in the basement. Previously, it is completely wrapped in plastic wrap or simply in bags. Tightness is not required, air must pass to the vegetables.

So that there is no condensation under the material, the heads of cabbage are cooled in advance for 2-4 hours. If vegetables are not wrapped at all, then they can only lie for about 10-12 days.

If you plan to store vegetables in the cellar, then they are immediately pulled out with the root system. Then the plucked heads of cabbage are placed in boxes filled with wet sand. They need to sprinkle the roots.