Today we will tell you about kohlrabi cabbage, the photo of which is surprising to many. A rather original variety of this vegetable has not only an interesting appearance, but also a storehouse of useful substances.
In this article you will learn about the care and cultivation of kohlrabi cabbage, the photo and description of which is unlikely to leave you indifferent. Vitamin "bomb", as this vegetable is also called, is superior in taste to most other varieties of cabbage. In addition, it is quite unpretentious and easy to care for.
Kolrabi cabbage: photo and description
Sicily is considered the birthplace of this type of cabbage. Kohlrabi is very popular in Western Europe, Turkey and China. Recently, it has become increasingly cultivated in our country.
Kolrabi cabbage is a garden variety characterized by high yield and very short ripening time. With proper care, the first harvest can be obtained as early as 2.5 months after sowing.
The turnip stalk with leaves growing abovesoil surface without touching it. The color of the stem crop can be either light green or deep purple, depending on the variety. The shape of the cabbage also depends on the variety and can be round or flat round.
Each leaf has a long petiole and an oval (sometimes triangular) shape. The flesh of the cabbage is white, regardless of the color of the outer leaves. Its taste is very delicate and slightly sweet, vaguely reminiscent of an ordinary cabbage stalk, only much juicier and tastier.
Varieties
Among the numerous varieties of kohlrabi cabbage, we have chosen the most popular among experienced vegetable growers. After reading this section, you will definitely choose the variety that suits you.
- Viennese white 1350. One of the most early and popular varieties. The first harvest can be harvested already 65 days after sowing. The rounded stem crop has a diameter of about 9 centimeters and a weight of not more than 100 grams. This variety is prone to overgrowing and is not subject to long-term storage. Fast ripening times allow you to get three or even four harvests per season.
- Viennese blue. As shown in the photo of this variety of kohlrabi cabbage, its stem has a bluish-purple hue. Medium early ripening allows you to get the first harvest 72 days after planting. This variety is not prone to overgrowing, so you can take your time with its collection. The mass of a mature vegetable reaches 150 grams, with a diameter of 6 to 8 centimeters.
- Violetta. Czech variety of kohlrabi cabbage, which has a rather late ripening period - about 80 days. The fruits of this cabbage are quite large, sometimes they can grow up to 2 kilograms in weight. The shade of the outer leaves of Violetta is similar to Viennese blue. Many vegetable growers prefer this variety because of its frost resistance and suitability for storage, as well as because of the high content of vitamins B and C. This variety can also be safely used for decorative purposes.
- Giant. Another Czech large-fruited variety with late ripening. Stem crops weighing about three kilograms can be obtained 90-100 days after planting. The diameter of mature cabbage is from 15 to 20 centimeters. Very juicy pulp, hidden under light green leaves, has a very pleasant taste. The main advantage of the Giant is its resistance to drought.
- Delicacy white. An early ripe variety with white stems. It has a high content of vitamins and sugars. The variety tends to overgrow, so harvesting should be done when the fruit reaches an eight-centimeter diameter. It does not tolerate changes in soil moisture, but is not picky about heat and fertile soil composition.
Features and planting dates
Growing kohlrabi outdoors, which is quite easy to care for, you can get two crops in one season. To do this, it is important to observe the timing of its planting and provide all the necessary conditions for comfortable growth and development of the plant. Paying attention to all the nuances during planting and further care, you will definitely get a tasty and he althy product,hand-grown.
The first planting of kohlrabi cabbage should be carried out in the first half of May. The next calls are made in June and July. However, this information applies to the cultivation of cabbage seedlings. At the time of planting seedlings in open ground, its age is at least 40 days. Having planted seedlings in early May, you will receive the first harvest in June. And the seeds sown for seedlings in June will give a harvest in the fall - in the second half of September.
Soil requirements
Kolrabi cabbage is a photophilous plant, and therefore, when choosing a site for planting, a well-lit place should be preferred. Cabbage shoots are quite unpretentious to the quality of the soil. However, if you want to get the maximum and tasty harvest, some points are worth considering.
Soil acidity affects the quantity and quality of the crop, so it is advisable to choose a neutral or slightly acidic soil. Be sure to have good drainage, which will protect the plant from moisture stagnation.
Sufficient nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil will give the cabbage abundant foliage and allow you to grow large vegetables. If these conditions are not created, kohlrabi cabbage will not have the proper size and juiciness.
Cabbage grows well in areas where potatoes, legumes, carrots, onions and beets were previously grown.
Preparing seedlings
To grow cabbage in a seedling (more preferred) way, it is necessary not only to prepare a fertilesoil and carry out the processing and hardening of seeds, but also pick in time and create comfortable temperature conditions for germination.
The soil for planting seedlings should consist of equal parts of peat, sand and soddy soil. To disinfect the seeds, they should be treated with a manganese solution. You can also process the substrate for future seedlings.
Start sowing seeds in early March. Grooves for planting seeds should have a depth of no more than a centimeter, and the distance between them should be 3 centimeters. Seeds are sown at a distance of about a centimeter from each other. The soil is moistened, and the planting box is covered with a film to maintain greenhouse conditions.
Until the moment of germination, it is important to maintain a temperature of +20 ° C, then for a week it is lowered to +9 ° C. After such a kind of hardening, the temperature rises again to +18 ° C. Picking is carried out from the moment the first leaves appear. A week before transplanting into open ground, seedlings stop watering.
Scheme of transplanting seedlings
There are many opinions about the care and cultivation of kohlrabi cabbage in the open field. We want to share with you only proven options for transplanting seedlings of this vegetable.
The readiness of seedlings for transplantation is determined by the number of leaves. Basically, it is at least 5-6 leaves. Plant seedlings on a cloudy day or after sunset. The first few days after transplanting, it is advisable to shade the sprouts.
For varieties with the earliest ripening, a scheme of 6020 or 70is suitable30, where the first number indicates the distance between rows, and the second - between shoots. For later varieties, the distances increase slightly: 6040 or 7045.
Planting seeds in open ground
Before sowing seeds in open ground, it is necessary to prepare them for this process. To do this, for 15-20 minutes, the seeds are placed in hot water (at least 50 ° C), then for a minute in ice water. Then the seeds are soaked for 12 hours in water with a growth stimulator, washed and sent to the refrigerator for a day.
Immediately before planting, the seeds are dried. Seeds are deepened by 2 centimeters, with a distance between seeds of about 3 centimeters, and between rows of at least half a meter. With the appearance of the first leaves on the sprouts, thinning is carried out so that the seedlings remain at a distance of 7-8 centimeters. The second thinning is carried out at the moment of closing the leaves - then the distance between the cabbages is brought to 20 centimeters.
Features of growing kohlrabi cabbage
A photo of such an interesting variety of cabbage makes you think about the possible difficulties of care. However, do not worry - it is very easy to grow it. Kohlrabi is light and heat-loving, and therefore a good landing site, periodic watering and top dressing will be quite enough to get a rich harvest.
This type of vegetable is planted on the southern or southeastern side of the summer cottage. After transplanting the seedlings, the soil is well compacted, spilled abundantly, and the planting is sprinkled with earth. Suchmeasures to prevent excessive evaporation of moisture. But too deep planting leads to the flowering of the plant, which harms the formation of the fruit.
Water and fertilize
Kolrabi cabbage, like other varieties of this vegetable, loves moisture. Therefore, regular watering is important - every 2-3 days after planting. As the seedlings develop, watering is slightly reduced: up to 1 time per week in normal weather. It is also important not to overmoisten the soil - this can cause a number of diseases. In too hot weather, it is permissible to increase the watering of kohlrabi cabbage.
Cabbage care also consists in fertilizing. Fertilize the soil 3-4 times throughout the season, every 10-15 days. The first time the cabbage is fertilized with chicken manure, the second top dressing is carried out with the help of rotted manure, all the rest - with mineral fertilizers.
Benefits of loosening
Loose and light soil is important for kohlrabi cabbage. Therefore, after each watering, it is imperative to loosen the soil around the plantings to a depth of at least 8 centimeters. The benefits of such a procedure are obvious to many:
- the soil has a light structure;
- saturation of the roots with oxygen;
- decomposition of organic fertilizers accelerates;
- moisture evaporation slows down;
- weeds are destroyed in the early stages of their development.
Diseases and pests
When growing kohlrabi, you may encounter some problems in the form of diseases and invasion of harmful insects.
Among the common diseases of cabbage you can find black leg, downy mildew,keel and mucous bacteriosis. Since this vegetable does not tolerate the use of chemicals, it is worth giving preference to folk methods of processing. For example, liming the soil, treating with wood ash and spraying with soapy water (tar or laundry soap is used).
And an infusion of tobacco will help to overcome cruciferous midges, cabbage fly, aphids, whites and slugs. A mixture of ash, tobacco and pepper has also been noted as a success.
