How to Plant Cabbage
This article provides an overview of how to plant cabbage and detailed information on cabbage cultivation techniques. Let's delve into the specifics below.
Cabbage, also known as kale, white cabbage, cauliflower, flowering cabbage, and head cabbage, belongs to the Brassicaceae family, genus Brassica, and is an annual or biennial herb. Cabbage has a good taste and is rich in high-quality protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Eating more cabbage can supplement nutrients and strengthen the body. Cabbage is loved by many people, with a vast market, and cultivating it can bring considerable economic benefits. Let's learn about cabbage cultivation techniques.
1. Planting Time
Cabbage can be planted throughout a wide range of time, with planting possible in spring, autumn, and summer in the north, and all year round in the south. However, spring and autumn are the most suitable seasons for cabbage growth, resulting in better-tasting cabbage. Cabbage planted in spring and harvested in summer is known as summer cabbage, while cabbage planted in autumn and harvested in winter is known as autumn cabbage.
2. Seed Treatment
Cabbage is usually planted using the seeding method. Before seeding, the seeds should be placed in the sun for 2 to 3 days, then soaked in carbendazim for 24 hours to improve germination rates and kill any bacteria that may be present on the seeds. After soaking, rinse the seeds with clean water, wrap them in a damp cloth to induce germination, and maintain a temperature of 20 to 25°C. The seeds should germinate in about 3 days.
3. Seedling Raising
Cabbage is generally raised in seedling trays. The nutrient soil in the trays should be mixed uniformly according to the ratio of 5 kg of decomposed human manure, 0.1 kg of compound fertilizer, 5 g of chloronitrobenzene, and 5 g of carbendazim per cubic meter, then watered to achieve a moisture content of 70%. Plant one seed per hole and cover it with a thin layer of fine soil, nurturing the seedlings until they emerge and then moving them to the seedling stage.
4. Land Preparation and Planting
Seedlings with 4 to 5 leaves can be transplanted into the planting field. Before transplanting, deeply plow and expose the soil to the sun to improve soil conditions. To adjust soil acidity and reduce the occurrence of root swelling, apply 75 to 100 kg of lime per 667 square meters. Level the field according to its size and topography, and apply 1500 to 2000 kg of organic fertilizer and 20 to 25 kg of compound fertilizer per 667 square meters. After preparing the beds, make 10 cm holes at a distance of 40 to 25 cm per plant, transplant the seedlings into the planting holes, and water once to settle the roots.
5. Water and Fertilizer Management
In the early stage of cabbage planting, it is important to manage drainage to prevent waterlogging, prevent drought, and control weeds. In the middle stage, add fertilizer and water, and control water and fertilizer before harvest. When new roots start to penetrate the soil about 7 days after transplanting, fertilize to promote root growth, using a mixture of 1 part decomposed human manure and 5 parts water. When the plant's heart leaves start to cup together, apply decomposed human manure and compound fertilizer in the early rosette stage. When the outer leaves can cover the ground, apply 0.1 to 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 0.1% urea as foliar spray.
6. Major Diseases and Pests
The main diseases affecting cabbage include root swelling, black rot, downy mildew, damping off, and stem rot. It is important to treat diseases promptly to prevent healthy plants from being infected, resulting in economic losses and the loss of edible value of the cabbage. The main pests include aphids, caterpillars, sweet potato hornworms, flea beetles, cutworms, grubs, snails, and slugs. These pests need to be controlled at different times and for different species.
7. Harvesting
When cabbage enters the late heading stage and the leaves are tightly wrapped, it can be harvested. During harvesting, cut the root stem, remove damaged leaves and outer leaves to keep the head clean and free of soil, and make it suitable for market as a commodity. Heads that are rotting or diseased should not be sold.
The detailed explanation of how to plant cabbage and cabbage cultivation techniques provided above is intended to help you with green plant management.