Cauliflower: Cultivation Features

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

In the large family of cold-hardy cabbage plants, one variety stands out, which has a very thermophilic character. We are talking about such a valuable dietary product as cauliflower. What are the features of sowing and growing this unusual plant?

Features of cauliflower

In order for cauliflower to have time to tie a dense curly head in the middle lane, it is recommended to choose early ripening varieties. This is an annual plant, but sowing needs to be planned very early in February to get seeds. And the seedlings are moved to the greenhouse in April. When there is no purpose to engage in seed production, they start sowing later - the plant is very sensitive to early spring frosts and when the temperature drops, the inflorescences stretch out, the heads become loose.

Fertilizers for cauliflower

Soil preparation before planting should include deoxidation. On acidic soils, the cauliflower head does not tie well. In addition, in such an environment, favorable conditions are created for the development of pathogens of diseases that are dangerous for cabbage. Therefore, dolomite flour is added under it. Another element, to the presence of which the plant reacts poorly, is chlorine. And when using mineral fertilizers, it is better not to use potassium chloride, but replace it with potassium sulfate.

Unlike other varieties of cabbage, which are responsive to nitrogen fertilizers, cauliflower requires more potash and phosphorus supplements. For this, the soil is filled with ash in a double dose. In addition, a handful of ash can be added to the seedling planting hole.

Sowing cauliflower seeds for seedlings

Preparatory measures before sowing seeds consist in processing with a solution of potassium permanganate. The liquid for disinfection should be quite hot - about +50 degrees C. The soil for sowing seeds also needs to be treated with a disinfectant solution.

Sowing seeds is carried out in a moist soil mixture. The crops are covered with a thin layer of earth. Another effective way is to spread a layer of snow on the ground and sow in it. With this method, it is not necessary to bury the seeds. The melted snow itself will tighten the seeds to the optimum depth.

The container with crops is covered with foil or hidden in a bag. It is left in a warm place for germination until the first shoots appear. After that, the container is installed in a bright place and provided with additional lighting.

The seedlings do not like the cold, but they cannot stand the heat either. Therefore, if the nursery is left in the greenhouse, make sure that the plants do not overheat during the daytime. But it will be more convenient to regulate the temperature when growing seedlings in room conditions.

Picking cauliflower seedlings

The pick is started in the phase of one true leaf. However, unlike the classical understanding of the term picking, a cauliflower seedling does not need to shorten the root. After such a procedure, its root system becomes more vulnerable to disease.

A little earth is placed in a seedling cup, then a seedling with an earthen lump is placed in a container. Holding the plant with one hand, sprinkle earth around the roots with the other. After filling the glass two-thirds with the soil mixture, watering is carried out so that the soil settles and compresses around the roots. Then add dry earth to a glass. The seedlings should sink into the containers up to the cotyledonous leaves.

Transplanting seedlings to the garden

Planting in open ground is carried out according to the scheme 60 x 40 cm or 70 x 30 cm. The place for the beds is chosen so that the midday sun does not fall on the plants. If necessary, arrange a shield for shading.

Like many other varieties of cabbage, cauliflower is very moisture-loving. Therefore, the earth should not be allowed to dry out. A layer of mulch will help keep moisture from evaporating.