- Authors: Nastenko N.V., Kachainik V.G., Kandoba A.V.
- Year of approval: 2011
- Appointment: for fresh consumption, for fermentation, for all types of processing
- Leaf rosette: raised
- Leaf size: large
- Leaf color: green
- Sheet surface: slightly bubbly
- Outside stump: middle length
- Internal stump: short
- Weight, kg: 2,5-4,0
Cabbage is one of the most popular and demanded types of vegetables. It is found in almost every vegetable garden. There are many varieties today, but some deserve special attention. This is exactly the sort of Merchant.
Breeding history
The merchant's wife was bred by domestic breeders. This plant is in demand not only in our country, but also in Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine. The merchant's wife was admitted to use in 2011. This is a varietal plant belonging to the type of white cabbage.
Description of the variety
The merchant's wife is planted in open ground, and this variety of cabbage requires regular feeding to get a good harvest. The marketability of the obtained heads of cabbage is 95%. Under proper conditions, heads of cabbage can be stored for up to seven months. One of the main advantages of the described variety is resistance to cracking.
Characteristics of the appearance of the plant and heads of cabbage
The rosette of the variety is raised, the plants are characterized by large green foliage with a slightly bubbly surface. The edges of the leaf plates are slightly wavy.
Heads of cabbage of the Merchant can grow from 2.5 to 4 kg. The shape can be characterized as round-flat. The forks are dense and whitish on the inside.
Purpose and taste
The merchant's taste is simply excellent, the cabbage is juicy and crispy. Can be eaten fresh or used for sourdough. Other types of processing are available.
Ripening terms
The mid-late variety Kupchikha reaches technical ripeness in 115-135 days. On the territory of our country, harvesting begins in September, it lasts until October.
Yield
Merchant's wife is a cabbage that is characterized by high yields. The sounded indicator is 10-12 kg / m2.
Growing regions
Basically, the described variety of cabbage is grown in the Volga-Vyatka district, but it is also suitable for planting in other regions.
Growing and care
To grow a merchant's wife and reap a bountiful harvest, you need to follow a few simple conditions. It is important to ensure correct and timely watering, set the desired temperature regime, and remember the need for timely fertilization.
From 5 to 15 April, you can start sowing seeds for seedlings. By May 20-25, the merchant's plants reach the required size, and they can be transferred to the ground. This variety is planted according to the scheme 60x60 cm.
The merchant's wife has high requirements for light, does not tolerate even light shading. Choose an area that is completely open, free of tall plants, shrubs, and trees. If the culture does not have enough light, the leaves will actively grow, but the head will not form. To harvest a large harvest, provide the merchant with about 17 hours of daylight.
This variety is cold resistant. At + 2-3 degrees, seed germination begins in the soil. But for the rapid and active emergence of seedlings, a constant temperature of +18 and above is required.
Optimum soil moisture should be around 80%. If you plan to store Kupchikha cabbage for a long time in winter, make sure that the soil moisture at the beginning of the second growing season is about 70-75%. If the plant lacks moisture, the development of the cabbage head deteriorates.
The frequency of Kupchikha's watering is adjusted taking into account the amount of precipitation. Excess moisture can cause the rapid spread of fungal diseases. After watering, it is imperative to loosen the soil, which is very important when planting the Merchant on heavy soils.The first hilling is done 14 days after planting. Then the procedure is repeated every 14-16 days.
They feed the merchant's wife before planting and during the development of heads of cabbage. Rotted manure or complex mixtures are used.
To grow a rich cabbage crop, you need to know when and how to plant this crop outdoors. Planting dates are determined depending on the variety. It is also necessary to properly prepare the soil and follow the rules of crop rotation.
Soil requirements
The optimal acidity indicator for the merchant is 6.5-7.0 pH. If acidic soils are present on the territory, liming is required every 4-6 years. To carry out the procedure, during the autumn digging of the earth, dolomite flour (5 kg per 10 sq. M) is introduced into the soil. Slaked lime can be used.
It is not recommended to re-plant Kupchikha in the same area where cabbage of a different variety has already grown. This site is suitable for use for these purposes no earlier than after 3 years. If you do not follow the rules of crop rotation, then the diseases characteristic of this type of plants will very quickly spread to the young plantings of the Merchant.
Cabbage requires particularly careful care when growing. The plant quickly absorbs nutrients, so the soil needs to be enriched regularly. Adequate amounts of minerals, organics and nitrogen must be provided. Some products can be purchased at the store, while others are easy to make at home.
Disease and pest resistance
To get a high-quality harvest, it is advised to use fungicides in a timely manner, guided by the scheme indicated on the package. Industrial insecticides have proven themselves well against pests.
Cabbage is a very popular horticultural crop. But growing a good, large and tasty cabbage is sometimes very difficult, because it is often affected by a huge number of diseases and pests. The main role in the cultivation of this vegetable is played by regular prevention, which helps to get a rich harvest, and prevent the occurrence of diseases and the invasion of harmful insects. It is very important to start treatment as early as possible, otherwise there is a risk of spreading the infection to still unaffected plants.