Ornamental Cabbage. Acquaintance

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

In the mid-90s of the last century, when there was a shortage of food, unusual decorations in the form of huge roses attracted my attention. They covered empty spaces in the refrigerated display cases of grocery stores in large cities. Then the gardeners of small settlements did not know such a plant as ornamental cabbage. Now seeds of different texture varieties are freely sold in horticultural kiosks

A bit of history

100 species of plants are united by the genus Cabbage. Greece is considered the homeland of wild plants, where 2 forms with curly and smooth leaves were widespread in the 4th century BC. There is an ancient legend about the origin of this vegetable: “Jupiter, solving a difficult problem, was drenched in sweat. Small droplets fell on the sand, where unusual heads of cabbage grew. According to the Greeks, this is how cabbage appeared.

Of the many species, only one is used in ornamental gardening - curly bale. Japan was the first to become interested in the unusual use of a traditional vegetable. At the end of the 20th century, varieties began to appear with a variegated color of leaf plates, different textures. In recent years, many hybrids have been bred by Russian breeders.

Varieties of culture

According to the shape of the leaf plate, ornamental cabbage is divided into:

• corrugated outlet (Nagoya, Relay, Tokyo);

• curly (Assol, Caprice, Osaka);

• finely dissected (Coral Queen, Peacock's tail, Red peacock);

• narrow-leaved, corrugated bush (Malinovka, Kai and Gerda, Lark's tongue);

• smooth marble (Princess, Piglon);

• bouquet (Pink Heron, Sunrise, Crane Red).

Each variety is beautiful and original in its own way.

Biological features

Ornamental cabbage is a biennial plant. The first year, a leaf rosette grows from the seed, attracting with its appearance. In the second season, seeds are formed, which are used for further reproduction. The height of individual specimens is from 30 to 130 cm.

Taproot with many lateral branches. The stalk is a thickened stalk, at the end of which a growth bud is formed.

The leaves are collected in a loose head of cabbage, with an outward curved edge resembling large inflorescences of exotic plants. The diameter ranges from 30 to 90 cm. The cuts give them an openwork, magnificent appearance.

Incredible combinations of green with white, burgundy, crimson, pink, yellow, interspersed with spots and streaks, gives the cabbage a light elegance. At the end of August, the bright palette of the "invisible artist" is revealed in full glory.

Adult plants perfectly withstand frosts up to -10 degrees, while retaining their decorative effect. Sprinkled with the first snow, they remind of a hot summer.

Culinary delicacy

Many gardeners ask themselves the question: "Is ornamental cabbage suitable for food?" Edible and healthy. Its taste is about the same as that of the outer green, non-curling leaves of white-headed varieties, which in the old days were used in the summer to prepare green cabbage soup.

Ornamental cabbage contains an increased amount of selenium (3 times more than its vegetable counterpart), which increases human immunity and has antioxidant properties.

It is widely used in French cuisine. Salads are prepared from the leaves, the stem is pickled. In France, it has long been a recognized delicacy.

Light bitterness is removed by freezing or soaking the product in salted water for 2-3 hours. Preservation for the winter retains color, nutrients, shape. Loose "heads" are stewed with potatoes, other vegetables, meat is added if desired.

Without waiting for a stable frost, in the middle of autumn, adult plants are transplanted into separate pots. Store in cool kitchen or workshop conditions. Until the New Year holidays, fresh salad greens are perfectly preserved in this way.

Growing ornamental cabbage seedlings in a summer cottage will be considered in the next article.