Cabbage Express

Express is a hybrid variety of white cabbage, bred by Russian specialists and approved for use in 2003. This variety has both pros and cons. Let's take a closer look at the features of this hybrid.

The express is intended for growing in the open field. Heads of cabbage are distinguished by good taste and high marketability, amounting to 88-98%. Among the disadvantages is the property of the head to crack when overheated. In addition, if suitable growing conditions are not followed, instead of one fork, two small ones may form.

Express has a raised rosette of leaves, the leaves are small in size, flat, light green, formed in the form of an ellipse, a wax bloom is visible on the surface. The outer and inner stalks are short. A head of cabbage weighing up to 1.3 kg has a rounded shape, outside it is light green, inside it is whitish.

The texture of the Express head is very delicate, the taste is excellent, so this hybrid is recommended for fresh consumption. For example, it will make a very tasty, light, airy vitamin salad.

This variety belongs to very early ripening varieties; harvesting at the stage of technical ripeness is possible within 60-95 days after the first shoots appear. Cleaning usually occurs in June-July. The forks ripen at the same time.

This is a high-yielding hybrid that yields an average of 330-385 quintals of cabbage per hectare.

The optimal time for sowing seedlings is March 10-20. In open ground, seedlings can be transplanted from April 20 to May 10. For the Express variety, fertile soil is suitable. To do this, in the fall, you need to add organic fertilizers to the soil and dig it up well.

It is important to observe crop rotation. Avoid ridges where radishes, radishes, or other varieties of cabbage used to grow. Try to plant seedlings after onions, legumes, or pumpkin crops. The selected area must be well lit by the sun.

The bushes are planted according to the 50x40 cm scheme. They are buried to the first leaf and watered well. It is recommended to plant in cloudy weather or in the evening, as the hot daytime sun can burn the leaves of young shoots. If a vegetable is planted in a hot climate, then in the first couple of days after transplanting it must be shaded, for example, with weed leaves.

Follow-up care necessarily includes regular and abundant watering, especially during the period of heading. First, the seedlings are moistened every other day, then you can slightly reduce the frequency of watering to 2-3 times a week. For irrigation, use warm settled water, preferably rainwater. You can also mulch the bed with sawdust to keep moisture as long as possible. After moistening, it is important to loosen the soil, this procedure gives free access to oxygen and moisture to the root system.

After a week, you can make the first top dressing; for this, a solution of ammonium nitrate is suitable. After two weeks, a second fertilizer will be required, now a mullein solution will be appropriate.

The Express variety is resistant to head cracking, but can be affected by some diseases and insects. If the plant has attacked the keel, then the infected specimen must be disposed of. Compliance with the rules of crop rotation, as well as the introduction of humus and compost will help prevent this dangerous ailment.

When phoma occurs, decoctions of horsetail and hot pepper can be used, soil treatment with chemicals will also help, but this should be done in the fall as a preventive measure.

Among insects, this hybrid is often attacked by the cabbage scoop. Its larvae can be collected by hand and destroyed. The use of chemicals to combat tracks is also allowed.