The Cultivation Method and Precautions of Ornamental Kale
The editor answers related questions about the cultivation experience of ornamental kale for netizens, and here is a comprehensive introduction.
If you enjoy growing vegetables as well as flowers, you must plant ornamental kale in autumn. Not only is ornamental kale rich in nutrients and packed with vitamins and various minerals, but it also has rich leaf colors and beautiful inner leaves resembling flowers. The whole plant looks like a blooming peony, and is known as the "leaf peony." So, how exactly should ornamental kale be planted?
Introduction to Ornamental Kale
Ornamental kale is a plant of the brassicaceae kale genus, mainly cultivated as a biennial ornamental leafy plant. It is a horticultural variety of kale. The inner leaves of ornamental kale come in yellow, pink, white, red, purple, and other colors, with very rich colors. The main ornamental period is from December to the following March or April.
Ornamental kale prefers cool climates and is relatively cold-tolerant. Leaf color change occurs when temperatures drop below 15 degrees. In winter and early spring, when other flowers wither, it is often used as a decorative material for flower beds and flower platforms.
The Cultivation Method and Precautions of Ornamental Kale
The propagation methods of ornamental kale usually include seeding and cutting. For home planting, seeding is commonly used. Several points need to be followed during planting.
1. -- Sowing Time --
The sowing time for ornamental kale is generally from the end of July to mid-to-late August in the summer. Sowing at this time is conducive to the germination of the seeds and the growth of the seedlings.
If sowing is too late, the lower temperatures in the later period are not conducive to the growth of ornamental kale. Of course, in the Jiangnan region, the time can be slightly delayed.
2. -- Sowing Method --
When sowing ornamental kale, prepare the sowing soil first. The soil should be loose and breathable, and universal nutrient soil can be used for sowing, or special sowing peat soil.
Before sowing, moisten the soil with water, then put it in the flower pot, sprinkle the ornamental kale seeds, cover them with a thin layer of soil, and then spray the soil with a spray bottle. After that, place it in a shaded area, keep the matrix moist, and wait for germination. Generally, it will germinate in 3-5 days.
3. -- Management During the Growing Period --
When ornamental kale sprouts, it is necessary to increase light exposure in a gradual manner, avoiding sudden exposure to strong sunlight. At the same time, keep the potting soil slightly moist. When ornamental kale grows to 5-6 leaves, it can be transplanted.
Ornamental kale can be planted in the garden or in pots. For pot planting, it is recommended to use loose, breathable, and fertile soil, and add fermented organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer at the bottom of the pot. Small pots can have one plant per pot, while larger pots can have multiple plants.
When transplanting young ornamental kale plants, it is important to transplant with some soil to make it easier for the plants to adapt and survive. After transplanting, water thoroughly to help the plants adapt, and do not fertilize for a while.
After ornamental kale has successfully adapted and starts growing, normal watering and fertilizing can be carried out. During watering, a balanced growth general fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can be used to promote rapid growth of ornamental kale. When fertilizing, be careful not to let the fertilizer water get into the leaf core to avoid leaf burn.
The root system of ornamental kale is shallow and does not tolerate drought well. Regular watering should be done to keep the soil slightly dry and wet, avoiding excessive drought. Maintain adequate sunlight, and when ornamental kale experiences temperatures below 15 degrees, the leaves are prone to color change. Since the color change of ornamental kale leaves is a gradual process, the inner leaves often have a very attractive color, while the outer leaves remain green.
Ornamental kale is edible and nutritious, containing a high amount of vitamins, calcium, iron, and potassium. When ornamental kale has grown to 10-20 leaves, the outer leaves can be peeled off for consumption, leaving the core part to continue growing, combining both consumption and ornamental purposes.
This article shares an introduction to ornamental kale and the complete content of the cultivation method and precautions for ornamental kale, for your comprehensive understanding and reference!