Traditional varieties from China are actively assimilated in the regions of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and are popular in Kazakhstan and other CIS countries. How to grow Chinese cabbage and get the maximum possible yield? The ancient vegetable crop has gone through more than one stage of selective development and is taking root well in new lands. Tolerates frost well.
It is necessary to familiarize yourself with some of the nuances of plant life. Any variety requires care and special treatment.If potatoes require nitrogen, then what will bok choy or another type of Chinese guest require? How many varieties exist in nature and how to grow the crop in our conditions?
Description
The Asian plant came to us in the second half of the 19th century. During this time, a huge selection work was carried out. A large number of different varieties of Chinese cabbage have been developed. Hybrid ones are especially popular, as they take root well in an unusual environment and produce a good harvest.
There are two types, each of which has its own differences:
- Chinese cabbage bok choy is often confused with another type. Both came to us from the Middle Kingdom. But despite their common features, they need to be cared for differently.
- Chinese cabbage pak choi. This is the second variety with the classic name. It was from him that the Beijinger was renamed, which from a biological point of view is completely incorrect. It turns out that pak choi and Chinese cabbage are two different varieties.
Based on early maturity, crops can be divided into three groups:
- Early. Ripening time is 40 – 55 days.
- Average. It will take 55-60 days until full fruits are obtained.
- Late. The harvest will have to wait about 60 - 80 days.
Planning
I wonder how to grow Chinese cabbage if you plant three varieties at once in one area? Once the early harvest is harvested, it can be processed. After all the work has been completed, the next wave arrives. This saves time during busy periods.
The following information will help you correctly distribute the yield and prevent fruit spoilage.
Early
It is better to divide the varieties according to the planting area. Cultures differ slightly in their conditions of detention. For example, Chinese swallow cabbage - growing and caring for it will take only 15 days after germination.This is a real record holder for ripening speed. The first green is the most valuable. The body needs to replenish its reserves of vitamins and microelements after a long winter.
Species may conflict with each other. It is necessary to separate crops when planting together. For example, pak choi cabbage is grown with its relatives at a distance from each other. But harvesting with this method of farming is even more convenient.
The vacated areas can be used for re-seeding, having previously prepared the land. This method allows you to harvest several harvests per year.
Mid-season varieties
A prominent representative is glass cabbage. It got its name because of its goblet shape. The heads of cabbage are dense, without voids. Weight up to two kilograms.
Mid-ripening varieties contain more useful elements than early ones. More time is spent on growing Chinese cabbage, but this is justified by the weight and size of the fruit. The vegetable has a longer shelf life than early ripening vegetables. The longer it stays in the garden, there is every chance it will survive until late autumn.
Late varieties
Autumn frosts are not scary. Cabbage of these varieties grows well after a short drop in temperature. Resistant to pests. Stores well (up to 9 months). These varieties are usually used for pickling and canning. For better storage, hybrids are used.
Each gardener decides individually when to plant seeds. Late varieties are planted almost simultaneously with early ones. There are several stages that go through before harvesting:
- Soil preparation.
- Seed preparation.
- Germination.
- Landing in the ground.
- Cultivation care.
As you can see, before planting cabbage in the country, you must first prepare the seed material.
Seed preparation
The procedure is simple and does not take much time.Pre-treatment of seeds allows you to determine in advance the germination of the crop and affects the speed of appearance of the first shoots:
- Place the seeds in a gauze bag. Place for 15 minutes in water preheated to a temperature of +50 degrees.
- Then cool them in cold water for one minute.
- After this, we immerse the seeds in a special garden solution with microelements (sold in gardening stores) for 12 hours.
- Can be stored for a day in the refrigerator at temperatures down to -10 degrees.
The prepared seed is ready for planting.
How to plant
Depending on the region, conditions of detention may vary significantly. Planting and caring for plants have their own characteristics.
The culture loves light and is planted in open, unshaded places. Receives both eastern and western sun equally well. Comfortable temperature depends on the variety, usually up to +25 degrees.
There are two planting methods:
- The seedless method. We use pre-prepared seeds and plant cabbage in open ground. After planting, sprinkling irrigation is required. It is advisable to keep the soil slightly moist until the first shoots appear. Planting is carried out in an open, sunny place. It is necessary that the earth warms up well.
- With the help of seedlings. Growing seedlings from seeds is a long and fruitful process. Pre-grown seedlings reduce the risk of yield loss and time due to seed quality; fruits can be harvested earlier. Peking cabbage is sensitive to replanting - here special attention needs to be paid to preparing the soil, which will facilitate the adaptation period.
Tip: varieties of hybrid varieties have the greatest survival rate. When planting, it is advisable to place two or three seeds in one cup or open ground.In the future, you can always make a pick.
This simple method will increase the yield in your garden. Picking is useful for identifying weak seeds. If the sprouts develop poorly, this is noticeable in the initial stages of plant development.
Soil preparation
A guest from the Middle Kingdom does not require a special soil composition for normal development, but it is best to prepare the planting site according to all the rules of agricultural technology. Some early ripening domestic varieties, for example, Alyonushka, allow you to harvest two harvests per season. In this case, the soil preparation procedure must be repeated before each planting.
There are two stages here:
- We prepare the soil for seedlings and stock up on seed material. The culture loves loose soil. It is best to choose a neutral pH; the use of slightly acidic compounds is allowed. In order for the crop to grow and develop well, the ground is dug up with 1/5 of the sand. The soil becomes loose and allows air and moisture to pass through well. It is best to use peat tablets.
- At the dacha plot we plan an area for sowing with pre-grown seedlings or in another way. Acidic soils are limed. Then combine fertilizers are applied according to the instructions. Add sand and dig.
Organic fertilizers are extremely important for the soil. They are usually applied in late autumn, and after harvesting the land is prepared for the next season. The humus is distributed over the site and dug up along with the soil. It is important to remember that Asian crops do not tolerate manure well. Chemical processes generate heat, which can damage the root system.
The introduction of pig, horse, lamb or poultry manure is strictly prohibited.Their addition is possible in small quantities, according to the varieties of celery.
Care
Celery does not require special care. Growing and caring for Chinese cabbage comes down to following traditional agricultural methods:
- Weeding.
- Loosening the soil.
- Watering.
- Drying the soil.
The culture loves watering, which should be plentiful: the soil can remain wet for more than a day. Usually they water at the root, but sometimes you can pamper the cabbage with sprinkling. The main thing is not to spoil the soil after watering; the soil must dry out. Otherwise, soil bacteria will develop, which can lead to infection.
Tolerates frosts well. Some varieties can be kept in open beds at temperatures down to -8 degrees. After the first frost, warmth usually comes. During this period, you can safely leave the crop to ripen.
It should be remembered that the crop has large leaves. Despite the fact that the side choke has an arrow-shaped shape, this does not protect it from direct sunlight. If you apply sprinkling in the morning, the leaves can be burned at noon. This is explained by the fact that droplets of water remain on the leaves, which, when exposed to intense solar radiation, act as a magnifying lens, which can lead to burning of the leaves.
Asian crops need sunlight during all periods of their development, from growing seedlings in an apartment to the full ripening of fruits in the garden. Some gardeners use special lighting to enhance growth. Usually these are combined LED or sodium lamps.
The intensity of photosynthesis and photomorphogenesis depends on lighting. According to research conducted at the Russian Academy of Sciences, plants actively consume the following spectra:
- red;
- blue;
- green.
The monochrome radiation of LEDs is ideally suited for these purposes.
You can experiment with early ripening crops. For example, the domestic variety Alyonushka is well suited for these purposes. LED lights are positioned so that the leaves are completely bathed in light. Used during the daytime as an addition to the main lighting.
Achieving full maturity occurs when 9-10 full leaves are formed. The fruit is cut off without stopping further foliage formation. In this case, the harvest can be obtained several times from one shoot. The plant very quickly forms new fruits and develops intensively. Proper planning of crops, proper care and attentive attitude will allow you to reap an excellent harvest.
