Brussels Sprouts

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Brussels sprouts (Latin Brassica oleracea L. var. Gemmifera) - vegetable culture; biennial plant of the Cruciferous family, or Cabbage. For the first time, the cultivation of Brussels sprouts began in the 18th century, but the exact origin of the plant is still unknown. Large quantities of Brussels sprouts are cultivated in Western Europe and the USA. In Russia, the culture is grown mainly in the Non-Black Earth Zone.

Characteristics of culture

Brussels sprouts are a biennial plant, in the first year of life it forms a thick cylindrical stem up to 60 cm high with lyre-shaped small or medium leaves located on thin petioles. The leaf blades are grayish-green or green, have a weak waxy coating, the edges are slightly curved or spoon-shaped. In the axils of the leaves, as they grow, small heads of cabbage (the size of a walnut) are formed, on one plant up to 70 pieces. The mass of heads of cabbage collected from one plant is 0.3-0.5 kg.

In the second year, the plant develops strong branched flowering stems and flowers. The flowers are yellow, with raised petals, collected in racemose inflorescences. The fruit is a polyspermous pod. The seeds are very small, smooth, black or dark brown, viable for 4-5 years. The growing season of Brussels sprouts lasts 120-140 days. The culture is cold-resistant, adult plants can easily withstand frosts down to -7C.

Growing conditions

Plots for growing Brussels sprouts are preferable well-lit, even with the slightest shading, the plants do not develop well and give a poor-quality crop. The culture is not demanding to soil conditions; it grows without problems on poor and slightly acidic soils. The secret of growing Brussels sprouts lies in the temperature regime. The optimum temperature for a good harvest is 18-20C. Plants stop growing at temperatures above 25C. Negatively Brussels sprouts refer to thickening and strong winds.

Reproduction and planting

Brussels sprouts are propagated by seeds. The culture is grown exclusively by seedlings. Sowing of seeds is carried out in mid-March in special seedling boxes. With the appearance of 2-3 true leaves on the seedlings, the seedlings dive in separate pots. Seedlings are transplanted into open ground at the end of May, it is advisable to carry out this procedure in the evening or in cloudy weather.

The soil for growing Brussels sprouts is prepared in autumn: the soil is dug up, compost and mineral fertilizers are applied; in the spring the ridges are loosened. Seedlings are planted in shallow holes, deepening to the cotyledonous leaves. The distance between the plants should be 40-50 cm, and between the rows - 60-70 cm. For the first 2-3 days, young plants are shaded.

Care

Brussels sprouts need regular and moderate watering; the soil should not be allowed to dry out. The culture responds positively to feeding with organic fertilizers, for example, humus and wood ash, as well as mullein solution or nitroammophos.

Brussels sprouts grow very slowly, so early tomatoes and other vegetable crops can be planted in the aisles. In late August - early September, when the heads of cabbage reach the size of a pea, the tops of the plants break off. Such an agrotechnical method allows the culture to direct all the necessary substances for the development of the heads of cabbage, and not for the growth of the plant as a whole.

Harvesting and storage

Harvesting is carried out when the lower heads of cabbage reach the size of a walnut and acquire a specific shine, and the leaves turn yellow, as a rule, this happens at the end of September. Heads of cabbage are harvested in 2-3 terms, they begin to break out from the bottom. Store Brussels sprouts in baskets or wooden boxes at a temperature of 0-1C and a humidity of 80-90%. Also heads of cabbage can be frozen. To obtain seeds, plants are dug up by the root, planted in containers and stored in a cellar or basement until spring.