Cauliflower Alpha
Alfa cauliflower is an early maturing high-yielding variety that has an excellent presentation. Due to its excellent taste and high content of nutrients, it is widely used for cooking.
Cauliflower Alpha
Characteristic
Alpha is an annual spring plant belonging to the cruciferous family. According to the description, it has a short ripening period (75-90 days). Average yield from 1 sq. m - from 3.5 to 5 kg. Plant height reaches 30-50 cm. It has a high content of sugars, vitamins, folic and ascorbic acid, potassium, carotene.
Alfa cauliflower is cold-resistant. It is resistant to black stem and keel. According to the characteristics, it is possible to grow by seedlings and direct sowing in open ground. This variety can be harvested from early spring to late autumn.
Description of the head
The Alpha cauliflower has a compact head with medium-sized inflorescences. Large dark green leaves protect the head from external influences.
Description and structure of the head:
- flat-round shape;
- the surface is rounded-bumpy;
- average weight - 1.2-1.5 kg;
- high density;
- White color.
Application of the vegetable
Alpha cabbage is grown for commercialization and home use. The vegetable is versatile in use.
Growing and care
Cauliflower should not be grown in an area where radishes, radishes, turnips and other cruciferous plants previously grew. A vegetable crop cannot be grown in the same place for 3-4 years. Good predecessors for her are onions, legumes and pumpkin seeds, cucumbers, root vegetables.
Sowing
Growing cauliflower Alpha is possible in several ways:
- Sowing seeds for seedlings - mid-March, further transplanting into open ground until the end of April.
- Greenhouse cultivation - sowing April 15-25, transplanting in May.
- Sowing in open ground under a film cover - from the third decade of April to the first decade of May.
- Sowing in open ground without shelter - from the beginning of May.
Seedlings after the appearance of 2-3 full-fledged leaves are planted in the soil in the beds. To improve the condition of the soil and obtain a better harvest, the land allotted for planting vegetable crops is prepared in advance: humus, superphosphate, ammonium nitrate, potassium sulfate are added. Seedlings are planted at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other to a depth of 2 cm.
At the beginning of ripening, the cabbage heads are shaded. For this, several top sheets are broken and tied into a bundle. This preserves the white color and dense structure of the inflorescence.
Watering and loosening
Plants need loosening
Alpha is a moisture-loving vegetable crop. Watering depends on weather conditions. In the first half of the growing season, water consumption is 20-30 liters per 1 sq. m, in the second - 30-40 liters. Plants loosen and huddle in time. This is usually done after watering.
Top dressing
They recommend regular feeding and treatment for diseases and pests. During the growing season, vegetable crops need additional feeding, especially if the soil is not rich in micronutrients.The first feeding is carried out 10 days after transplanting seedlings into open ground, using nitrogen fertilizer: 25 g per 1 sq. m. The second - by the same method, 2 weeks after the first. The third - at the beginning of the maturation of the heads, fertilizers based on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are used.
Cleaning and storage
It takes 60 days from planting seedlings to harvesting a full harvest. The collection of an early variety of cauliflower takes place from the third decade of July and lasts until the end of August. The heads are cut off as they ripen, removed together with 3-4 protective sheets. If you overexpose the plants in the garden, they will disintegrate into inflorescences.
A healthy and robust plant can re-harvest after a head cut. New heads are formed on young shoots and axillary buds. Of the young shoots, 1-2 of the largest are left, the rest are removed. They are also watered and fed. The heads of the second harvest reach a mass of 300-350 g.
You can store cabbage for up to 3 weeks, for this it is harvested together with the root structure, the peeled roots are hung upside down in a cool place. The cut heads are kept in the refrigerator for a week.
Pests and diseases
The most common pests are cabbage fly, aphid, moth, and scoop. In the fight against insects, biological preparations, as well as a mixture of tobacco dust and wood ash, help. It is necessary to remove weeds, plant residues after harvest in time and observe the rules of crop rotation.
Alpha has strong immunity to blackleg and keel. The greatest harm to vegetable crops is caused by vascular bacteriosis, a dangerous bacterial disease. Bacteria infect cabbage at all stages of development, from germination to maturation of the head of cabbage. To protect plants from such a disease, pre-sowing seed treatment is carried out: the seeds are poured with hot water (50 ° C) for 20 minutes, after which they are immersed in cold water for 5 minutes. After planting seedlings in open ground (after 20-25 days), the seedlings are treated with planriz.
Conclusion
Early ripe cauliflower Alfa has excellent taste, is high in sugars and useful microelements. It is suitable for fresh consumption and for cooking. Plant care is simple. It has a strong immunity to disease.