Sowing Kohlrabi cabbage for seedlings
Kohlrabi (cabbage turnip) is an unusual variety of white cabbage. The appearance of cabbage resembles a turnip in shape, and it tastes sweeter and tastier than ordinary white cabbage. An unpretentious, cold-resistant and moisture-loving culture allows sowing kohlrabi cabbage for seedlings at home.
Sowing Kohlrabi cabbage for seedlings
Seedling method of growing Kohlrabi
To get an early harvest, early ripening varieties are taken and the seedling method of growing is used. At home, in order to get high-quality kohlrabi cabbage for seedlings, prepare the soil, seeds and container.
Priming
A mixture of peat, humus and sod land should be used in equal parts. It is necessary to plant sprouts and sow seeds for seedlings only in soil rich in microelements.
Seeds
There are many varieties of kohlrabi cabbage for seedlings, so the choice depends on the planned result.
Capacities
Seeds are planted in boxes with subsequent picking. It should be remembered that with this method, the root system is injured, which is undesirable for further rooting of seedlings. Also, seeds can be planted in separate pots, and then simply transplanted into a hole in open ground. In this case, the cabbage is less sick and takes root in a permanent place in a day.
Growing rules
The seeds are planted at the end of March. To make them hatch faster, they are wrapped in gauze and soaked in a nutrient solution or plain water for a couple of days at a temperature of at least 20 ° C. After they are planted in prepared moist soil and covered with foil.
Kohlrabi cabbage for seedlings is opened and transferred to the light after germination.
What you need to know about seedlings
Kohlrabi seedlings are grown independently or purchased ready-made. When buying kohlrabi cabbage for seedlings, sprouts are carefully selected. The plant should have more than 4 true leaves with no visible damage. The tips should not be dry or differ in color from the main sheet. The roots must be protected by an earthen clod without fail.
If you plan to grow kohlrabi seedlings on your own, only strong plants are selected for planting in open ground, the rest are discarded.
It is possible to plant Kohlrabi cabbage seedlings in open ground after the temperature stops dropping below 15 ° C, otherwise the formation of the stump fruit will be delayed or will not take place at all. This usually happens in mid-May.
The best outdoor precursors for Kohlrabi cabbage seedlings are cucumbers and tomatoes, potatoes, legumes, beets, pumpkin. But radishes, lettuce, turnips are unwanted crops.
Seedling care
Seedlings need attention
Seedlings need certain conditions of care for full growth and a good harvest.
Temperature and light conditions
Kohlrabi seedlings prefer sunny or slightly shaded landing sites.The formed fruit is not afraid of low temperatures, and the sprouts should be planted, adhering to a temperature of 15-18 ° C.
Watering
This crop loves moist soil, but thanks to its well-developed root system, it can tolerate short-term drought.
Top dressing
It is necessary to feed the seedlings 2 times with mineral fertilizers at the stage of formation and growth of seedlings, as well as immediately before sowing and planting in the ground.
Seedling diseases
There are many infections that a plant can contract. Infection can occur both through the soil and from neighboring plants. Let's consider the main diseases.
- Keela. Disease in garden crops forms growths on the roots that disrupt the nutrition of the plant. If treatment is not timely, the ovary will not form. Soil contamination also occurs, which is dangerous for the subsequent cultivation of cruciferous plants. You can notice the disease by the appearance of the plant: it withers. The affected elements of the seedlings are removed, and the pits after them are sprinkled with lime. Keel prevention is the addition of lime when planting plants.
- Black leg (rot). The disease affects the root collar of cabbage, it turns black, rots, as a result, the plant dies. The cause of the disease is high humidity and poor ventilation of the plantings. For prevention, cabbage seedlings must be ventilated in a timely manner.
- Mildew. This is a serious disease to which kohlrabi seedlings are especially susceptible, arising from excessive moisture. Gray or yellow spots form on the leaves; over time, the leaves die. For prevention and treatment, plants are treated with 1% Bordeaux liquid in an amount of 250 ml per bucket of water.
Conclusion
Since kohlrabi has a relatively short growing season, timely sowing and proper cultivation allow up to 3 harvests per year. For high taste characteristics of the crop, it is necessary to harvest the fruits in a timely manner. They should not exceed 7-8 cm in diameter. Fiberness and stiffness are the main differences between an overripe fruit.