How broccoli blooms in open ground. Cauliflower and broccoli: cultivation and care. No - heat and lack of moisture! Harvesting, storage

A healthy and nutritious vegetable has long become a familiar dish for many of our compatriots. Rich in protein, vitamins and various valuable nutrients culture is not only a storehouse of vitamins, but also the basis of many delicious dishes. Anyone who loves nutritious nutrition with benefits for the body and wants to eat cabbage heads from their own summer cottage needs to know everything about broccoli, growing and caring for it. open ground, which is not difficult to follow.

An annual from the Brassica family. A low plant with a stem length of up to 60 centimeters. Its top is crowned with a large number of peduncles with buds. They form a loose surface of the heads. Unlike cauliflower, of which it is a variety, the plant has small, corrugated leaves.

Asia Minor and the eastern part of the Mediterranean coast are considered the homeland. This vegetable crop was known in ancient times. Residents of the Roman Empire grew it in their fields. Then the inhabitants of the eternal city brought the vegetable to Byzantium. From there it spread throughout the world. Nowadays it is grown everywhere and has gained popularity.

Know! Scientists believe that this type cabbage never existed in nature. It is believed to be a hybrid. It was cultivated in the Mediterranean back in the 6th-5th centuries. BC. And after several centuries, the vegetable began to spread throughout the world.

Types and varieties of broccoli

There are two types of this vegetable crop:

Calabrese;
Italian (asparagus).

The first variety is a familiar head of cabbage, consisting of many inflorescences. The second option is stems with thick heads. The taste of the plant is very similar to asparagus. This is where the name of the species comes from. More than 200 varieties are known. In Russia, five of them are included in the state register.

Early

After a period of spring vitamin deficiency, these varieties make it possible to enrich the diet useful minerals and vitamins:

Lord F1 - heads can appear until the onset of autumn cold weather. forms dark green heads until frost. Individual heads of cabbage reach one and a half kilograms.
Linda - after cutting off the main large heads (each weighing half a kilo), it forms an additional 6 lateral heads.
Vitamin - it takes about 80 days to ripen. The main head weighs on average 200 g, the side ones can reach up to 5 cm in diameter.
Tone - ripens early and very well. The lateral heads grow back very quickly.

Attention! The harvest obtained from early ripening varieties cannot be stored in the refrigerator for more than two weeks to avoid manifestations of gastrointestinal disorders.

Mid-season

They allow you to diversify the table in the fall and are delicious when fermented:

Monterey is a medium-late ripening hybrid variety with very large head of cabbage. Its weight can reach 2 kg. Does not form side shoots.
Arcadia is a medium-ripening hybrid. Resistant to cold weather - grows and develops well. The heads are large.
Calabrese is frost-resistant, can withstand cold temperatures down to -7°C. It will take 85 days from the appearance of young shoots to harvest.
Fortuna F1 is a high-yielding hybrid, the weight of the heads reaches two hundred grams. Rich in vitamin A and has a soft, delicate taste.
Gnome is ideal for fermentation; the ripening process takes seventy-five days. Compact plant, the weight of the heads is 300 g.

Late ripening

Allows you to enjoy the vegetable in winter period:

Parthenon F1 - grown by seedling method. From young shoots planted in the ground in May, ripe heads are obtained within 90 days. High-yielding variety.
Agassi F1 is a hybrid with a long shelf life (up to 5 months). From planting seedlings to harvesting – seventy days.
Continental – excellent taste and good keeping quality. At the same time, the weight of the head of cabbage is about five hundred grams.
Marathon F1 - the plant does not like high temperatures, mainly grown in the northern regions. The first heads of cabbage ripen 85 days after transplanting the young bushes.

Features of growing broccoli

There are several options for harvesting:

through seedlings obtained at home;
seedling method when growing young animals in a greenhouse or greenhouse;
direct sowing in open ground.

Priming

It is preferable to carry out preliminary preparation of the site. In the fall it is dug up and at the same time introduced full complex fertilizers of various origins. You can add not only minerals, but also organic matter.
In the process of laying the foundations for the future harvest, the plant requires significant amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus. On spring days, on the eve of transplanting seedlings, it is necessary to get rid of weeds and treat the planted area with ammonium nitrate.

The yield also depends on the acid-base indicator of the substrate. It should be in the pH range of 6-7. That is, the soil must have a neutral reaction. If the soil is acidic enough, the heads will become saturated with toxic substances. They will have an increased content of heavy metal salts.

To determine the pH balance, you will need a litmus strip. If necessary, to reduce acidity by one unit, you will need to add three kilos of manure per square area.

Know! Neutral soil type has a beneficial effect on different kinds crops The soil acquires the necessary looseness, becomes airy and it is easier for the roots to breathe in such conditions.

Temperature

The cold resistance of a crop does not indicate the possibility of successful cultivation in open ground under harsh climatic conditions. Sowing traditionally takes place at the end of May. The soil temperature should reach 20⁰C.

Humidity

Cabbage requires plenty of watering. But if the substrate is too moist, the bushes can become infected and get sick. dangerous illness- black leg. This will ruin the harvest. If the degree of irrigation is insufficient, the heads of cabbage will be too small and loose.

Important! To maintain the proper level of humidity, plantings are mulched. This prevents the rapid evaporation of water immediately after irrigation.

How to Grow Broccoli from Seeds

The seedling method of harvesting is deservedly popular. Sowing is carried out 35 days before planting the seedlings in the garden.

When to sow seeds

To get the first heads of cabbage early, experienced gardeners grow the queen of the beds through seedlings. Plant growth occurs most intensively on cool days. In hot summer conditions, the development of culture is suspended. In this regard, in the southern regions its cultivation is hampered by unsuitable weather conditions.

It is worth starting sowing in winter. In this case, by the beginning of spring you can get strong young animals. Such healthy seedlings will quickly take root and grow.

Soil requirements

The culture prefers a substrate consisting of turf soil, sand, and peat. All components must be mixed in equal parts. It is not advisable to include in the composition a soil layer taken directly from the garden, as well as humus, in order to avoid damage to seedlings by blackleg.

To disinfect the substrate, it can be heated in a water bath or processed in the microwave. It is better to carry out this procedure two weeks before the intended sowing. In this case, the soil microflora will have time to recover.

Important! Do not forget about the need for a drainage layer. Expanded clay or small pebbles can be placed at the bottom of the container.

How to select and prepare seeds for sowing

Bagged seeds purchased at the store are already prepared for planting. If you collect seed yourself, it must be processed.

First, the grains are sorted. Small ones are rejected, and large ones are left. To swell, they are soaked for twenty minutes in warm water. Then the seeds will need to be left for eight hours in a weak pink solution of sodium permanganate. Carrying out this procedure will ensure disinfection and protection from various diseases. Instead of potassium permanganate, you can use boric acid (half a gram per liter of water) or ash (one large spoon per 1 liter). When preparing the latter option, you need to let the solution brew for two days.

When processing with an ash mixture, the seeds are left in it for 5 hours. Those grains that rise to the surface are not used. Treating grains with a growth stimulator will also benefit future seedlings. After processing, the seed is dried.

Seed sowing technology

You will need to first prepare a container of suitable volume. Peat pots are best suited. You can use a box with dimensions 50 x 30 x 25cm. The substrate should not be cold. Its temperature must exceed 7⁰C.
The seeds are planted to a depth of about one centimeter. The optimal air temperature is 20 degrees. The distance between the grooves (when planting in a container) is 3 cm.

Know! If you don’t want to pick seedlings in the future, you can immediately plant the seeds in peat tablets.

They are different sizes. In the case of planting cabbage seedlings, 4 cm in diameter is sufficient. The blanks are placed in warm water until they swell, then excess moisture is removed. Place a pair of seeds into the holes made and sprinkle peat on top of them.

Seedling care

After the first growth appears, the air temperature is reduced to 10 degrees. But after a week they increase it to 15⁰C during the day and to 9 degrees at night. If the seedlings are kept warm, above 20⁰C, this can lead to early formation of heads.
Seedlings love light very much.

At the beginning of spring, bushes may lack natural light. After all, “kids” require 15 hours of daylight. In order to ensure proper agrotechnical conditions, phytolamps are placed above the young animals. Regular lamps Incandescent lamps are not suitable for additional lighting - they heat the air and have a different spectrum. Proper care- this is loosening the soil, spray irrigation and timely application of fertilizers.

Picking seedlings

The procedure is carried out when the seedlings are two weeks old. Until the bushes take root, maintain a comfortable temperature. It is 20 degrees. Then a decrease follows again - 17 during the day and 9 at night. A couple of weeks before moving to the site, hardening of the young animals begins. There is no need to rush with the transplant.

Attention! A sharp change in microclimate and cold weather can trigger the start of the bolting process of cabbage.

Planting broccoli in open ground

The seedlings remain at home until the fifth or sixth true leaf appears. Usually this takes 35-45 days. Young growth is moved to the garden bed in mid-May. But you should be guided by weather conditions. In case of returning frosts or poorly warmed soil, it is better to wait with replanting.

Soil preparation

The soil for broccoli should be neutral or slightly alkaline - pH within 6.7-7.4 units. Preparation of the land on the site begins in the fall: manure or compost is added for digging at the rate of 4-5 kg per m². If the soil on the site is acidic, add lime to it.

When to plant seedlings

The timing of the movement of young shoots outside depends on the climate and weather in the region. “Kids” are able to withstand frosts down to -7⁰C. In the southern regions, the end of April is considered a suitable period. In the middle zone, seedlings are planted in early May. Medium-ripening varieties are moved outside at the end of May, and late ones - until the beginning of June.

Landing technology

It is advisable to move young bushes to the garden bed on a cloudy day. In clear weather, it is better to choose a time closer to the evening. Planted according to a pattern of 35 by 60 centimeters. Up to ten grams of complex mineral fertilizer must be added to each hole. It is thoroughly mixed with soil, then the seedling is placed in a hole, sprinkled with soil, compacted and watered.

Attention! If the likelihood of return frosts remains, the seedlings are covered with film. Already at -2⁰C the bushes die.

You can sow directly, in open ground, bypassing the stage of growing seedlings. Seeds are processed in the same way as when planted at home. When seedlings appear, the young plants must be thinned out.

Caring for broccoli in open ground

The traditional cycle of activities includes: loosening, watering, weeding, and fertilizing. Three weeks after moving to the garden bed, the young plants are hilled up, loosening the soil under the bushes. This stimulates root respiration. The seedlings do not tolerate the scorching sun. Therefore, at the beginning of the growing season, it will be necessary to create special conditions for them. Protection from rays can be very different - young animals are shaded using spruce branches or old buckets.

In hot weather, it is very important to humidify the air around the seedlings. And again, do not forget about the need for loosening. The root circle is processed to a depth of eight centimeters. It is most convenient to carry out this work one day after irrigation.

Watering

When grown outdoors, irrigation is required once a week. But if the heat begins and the thermometer rises above 25⁰C, watering needs to be done more often. Do not over-water the soil. Watering can be done through the leaves - just spray them with water.

Top dressing

Fertilizers must be applied for the first time 2 weeks after planting young animals in the garden. To do this, a glass of mullein is diluted in a bucket of water and a spoonful of urea is added. You can use chicken manure diluted in water in a ratio of 1:20. When sowing seeds directly into the ground, young animals can be fed only 20 days after germination.

The second stage is the application of nitrate two weeks after the first feeding. Place a matchbox of this substance on a bucket of water. At the end of the season, the need for nitrogen decreases, and the need for potassium-phosphorus components increases. The third feeding is carried out with a solution containing 40 g of superphosphate, ten grams of potassium sulfate, 20 g of ammonium nitrate. All components are dissolved in a bucket of water.

To stimulate the development of side shoots after removing the central head of cabbage, you can feed the plant with a special mixture. For 10 liters of water - ten grams of saltpeter, twenty superphosphate and thirty potassium sulfate. For one bush - a liter of solution.

Know! Ordinary ash is also suitable as a fertilizer. You will need a glass of it per square meter of area.

Growing broccoli in the Moscow region, the Urals, and Siberia

The cold resistance of the crop makes it possible to grow it even in harsh climatic conditions - in areas with short, cool summers. The vegetable produces an excellent harvest not only in the Moscow region, but in the Urals and Siberia. It is possible to choose the most suitable varieties, taking into account the characteristics of the region. In the conditions of central Russia, the following varieties have proven themselves well:

Kolobok;
Emperor;
Tone;
Comanche.

For cultivation in Siberia and the Ural region in unprotected soil, only varieties early date maturation:

Macho F1;
Lazarus F1;
Fiesta F1;
Vyarus.

Broccoli has bloomed - what to do?

The prerequisites for the appearance of flowers on cabbage are:

Lack of moisture in the air or substrate.
Sharp temperature fluctuations (not only cold weather is scary, but also heat).
Lack of nutrition - fertilizers must be applied in a timely manner.
Variety type based on ripening speed (early ripening ones win).

Having realized the reason that prompted the plant to bloom, it is necessary to take measures to save the harvest. So, what measures can serve to prevent this phenomenon. It only takes about 35-50 days from moving the seedlings to the garden bed until the harvest is obtained. Timely disembarkation is of great importance. Best conditions for the development of seedlings - temperature range from 16 to 25⁰C. At higher values, cabbage begins to bloom.

Early varieties have an advantage - features climatic conditions do not have time to influence the formation of heads so much.

If the bushes still have time to bloom, the flowers are torn off, and the ground around the plants must be loosened. There is a high probability of side sprouts forming. They will be smaller in size than the one that appears on the central shoot.

Know! If there is no chance to save the bushes, you can sow a second time. By autumn there will still be an opportunity to get a harvest.

If cabbage planted at the end of April or beginning of May blooms, it can be left to collect seeds. To do this, you simply do not need to cut off the head of cabbage. Its maturation is monitored. Around the end of September, the seeds will turn black and can be collected. The seed material is thoroughly dried in a cool place.

After which crops is it better to plant broccoli?

The best predecessors are cucumbers, potatoes, grains, legumes, carrots, and onions. Various types of green manure are also suitable. They saturate the soil with nutrients. After them, cabbage grows well. You should not plant cabbage after beets, radishes, turnips, radishes, and tomatoes. It is advisable to wait at least four years and only after that can you plant broccoli in this area.

Harvesting, storage

It is necessary to have time to remove the heads of cabbage before the buds open and yellow flowers appear. Only the green head is suitable for eating. Typically, ripeness occurs on the 80th day after sowing. The main head of cabbage can weigh up to 400 g and be up to twenty centimeters in diameter. In just a few days, an excellent vegetable can turn into inedible.

Harvesting begins with trimming the main stem. Its length should be about fifteen centimeters. You shouldn't get rid of the bush right away. With proper care, the remaining shoots produce an excellent harvest. After some time, you can begin to cut off the side branches. All inflorescences are removed along with the shoots. They are also very juicy and nutritious.

Harvesting is carried out early in the morning, before the dew has dried. Or you can reschedule the event until very late in the evening. The presence of moisture allows the heads of cabbage to remain fresh longer and not wither. The stems are cut sharp knife obliquely.

Know! Experienced gardeners grow broccoli in the basement. This requires watering the plant abundantly the day before digging. It is better to choose plants with a developed rosette of leaves.

The shelf life of the vegetable varies depending on the variety. Early ones, with a short ripening period, are not characterized by keeping quality. They can keep in the refrigerator for about a week. Mid-season and late - will last three months in the refrigerator or cellar. The most reliable way to preserve crops is freezing. Everything is saved in this form. useful material and vitamins.

Pests and diseases of broccoli (treatment)

Does not suffer from insects too often. But sometimes you have to deal with the invasion of various pests - the plant can become food for aphids, cabbage flies, cutworms, white flies, cruciferous midges, slugs and snails.

Aphid colonies can destroy even a healthy, strong plant. Insects secrete a special secretion similar to wax. The leaves turn pinkish and curl. Aphids reproduce rapidly - up to sixteen generations per season.

Larvae and adults of the cruciferous flea beetle gnaw holes in the shoots. After this, the bushes begin to dry out, wither and subsequently die. You can scare away the pest by scattering celandine or tansy powder between the rows of plants. If such a measure does not have the desired effect, treatment with a 15-fold solution of Phoxim or Actellica will help.
Caterpillars of the cabbage white moth and cutworm, emerging from the larvae it lays, eat the edges of the leaves. Insecticides will help out - “Talkord”, “Rovikurt”, “Belofos” and others.

An invasion of slugs and snails can destroy the entire future harvest. They cause noticeable damage to adult bushes, and can completely destroy young seedlings. Will help in the fight against shellfish simple methods. An insurmountable obstacle to their path can be areas sprinkled with lime, ash, hot pepper powder, and tobacco dust. It is enough to make small depressions around the perimeter of the beds, where you can pour similar substances and the crop will be protected.

Usage chemicals Plant protection is appropriate only in the case of a large colony of pests that threatens the crop. Important preventive measure will be compliance with the rules of agricultural technology for growing crops.

Attention! Do not forget about disinfecting the seeds before planting; you need to regularly weed them. In the fall, be sure to dig up the area and clear it of remaining plants and their shoots.

Vegetables can be affected by various ailments. Among them:

clubroot;
peronosporosis;
vascular bacteriosis;
dry and white varieties of rot;
Alternaria blight;
blackleg;
fusarium;
bel.

Seedlings usually suffer from blackleg. The main reason is excessive soil moisture. It is also necessary to thin out crops in a timely manner. Density of seedlings promotes the development of the disease. The necks of young growth become soft, turn black, and lodging of seedlings is observed.

Affected bushes are removed. The earth is disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate (3 grams per bucket of water). After this, irrigation is not carried out for a week. For preventive purposes, you can treat with Planriz, Fitosporin, Baktofit, and Fitolavin-300.

Clubroot appears in the form of growths. They are oval or ball-shaped. Over time, they become brown and the process of rotting begins. As a result, the bushes wither and look stunted.

It will not be possible to rid the plantings of the disease. But as a preventive measure, you can plant potatoes, physalis, eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes in the place where broccoli grew. Natural soil cleansing will take three years. If you plant garlic, onions, chard, beets, spinach, then it will take only two growing seasons to rid the soil of the pathogen.

If there are spots of plaque on the plants that look like traces of oil paint, these are signs of leucorrhoea. As the disease develops, the affected areas turn brown and dry out. Leaves may swell and become deformed. Diseased plants are quickly disposed of, and the remaining ones are treated with products containing copper. It is necessary to do weeding in a timely manner and follow the rules of crop rotation - this will serve as a preventive measure.

Harmful insects spread a disease called Alternaria. Brown spots on shoots and leaves increase in size and become covered with spores of a fungal pathogen. A set of preventive measures includes soaking the seed in warm water before planting, regular weeding in the summer and clearing the beds of plant debris in the fall.

Yellow spots indicate infection with peronosporosis. It is also called downy mildew. The spots on the back of the leaf are whitish. Sick young animals are pollinated three times at weekly intervals with ash, sulfur powder or a mixture of lime and sulfur. If the situation is serious, you can treat it with Topaz. You will need one ampoule per bucket of water.

Rotten stems and a cobweb-like coating on the back of the leaves are signs of white rot. The source of infection is an acidified substrate with increased content nitrogen. The prevailing cool weather promotes infection. Copper-containing drugs will help cope with the disease. A preventive measure is correct crop rotation, liming the soil if necessary, and weeding.

Light spots with black spots are manifestations of dry rot. The bushes stop developing and dry out. It is necessary to combat this disease in the same way as with peronosporosis.

The main signs of mosaic are spots on the leaves. Over time, they develop a dark green edging and necrotic spots. The leaves themselves are subject to deformation. There are no measures to combat this disease - diseased bushes are removed and burned. Prevention includes weeding and systematic pest control. They are the carriers of the mosaic.

If the edges of the leaves turn yellow and they themselves become like parchment, this is vascular bacteriosis. Gradually, the veins darken and the affected shoots die. Treatment with Trichodermin or Planriz is required. Sluggish, deformed leaves of a yellow-green hue signal the development of fusarium. Urgent treatment with benzimidazoles will save the situation. Prevention is the timely disposal of affected specimens.

Possible problems with growing broccoli

Broccoli seedlings may suddenly turn yellow and there are a number of reasons for this:

Nutrient imbalance.
Infection in the soil (if it has not been disinfected).

Rotting of young animals is usually caused by blackleg disease. Seedlings stretch when there is a lack of light, dense seedlings and unsuitable temperature conditions.

Important! During the ripening period, it is better to cover the heads from sunlight. Otherwise they will grow small.

The heads of cabbage must be cut before they open. Over time, the heads become coarser and begin to taste bitter.

Little tricks of experienced gardeners

If you plant dill next door, aphids will avoid the cabbage beds.
Planted close, the tomato will protect the cabbage from leaf beetles.
In the case of direct sowing in open ground, it is better to thoroughly press the soil with the palm of your hand. This will allow the roots to strengthen in the future.
It is preferable to choose the sunniest place.
A small planting can be saved from the cabbage butterfly under fine mesh. The insect will not be able to get close to the leaves and lay larvae on them.
It is possible to plant cabbage a second time in the same area only after a few years.
You can add a little when planting baking soda and pepper - this will protect the young animals from the invasion of harmful insects.
Cabbage fly larvae cannot tolerate salt. Half a glass of the substance per bucket of water will get rid of uninvited guests. This amount of solution is enough to treat twenty bushes.
Young growth is best mulched. This will maintain an optimal level of moisture in the soil, reduce the number of emerging weeds and protect the roots from overheating.
After watering, the soil can be loosened. This way the substrate will be enriched with oxygen.
Hilling up bushes promotes the development of lateral roots. This strengthens the plant.

To treat plants against various pests, you can use simple folk recipes. For example, infusion of tomato tops. An effective remedy A decoction based on hot pepper (several pods per liter of boiling water) is also considered.

Garlic-tobacco infusion is one of them effective recipes. First of all, you should try to overcome the attack with harmless natural decoctions. If all else fails, chemicals are used.

Broccoli beneficial properties and contraindications

The vegetable has long been considered the queen among all types of cabbage. Contains vitamins and microelements. The presence of vitamin U deserves special mention. This substance promotes active healing of ulcers. One hundred grams of heads contain about ninety percent of the daily requirement of vitamin C. However, when stored in the refrigerator, after a couple of days the concentration ascorbic acid is reduced by half.

Amino acids, fiber, and chlorophyll also make the vegetable a valuable dietary product. The presence of methionine and choline in the composition normalizes lipid metabolism. Eating broccoli helps regulate insulin levels in the blood. This is important for people with diabetes.

Know! This is a product with “negative” calories. The body spends more energy on its digestion than it receives during absorption. One hundred grams contains only thirty kilocalories.

When living in unfavorable environmental conditions and in areas with high level radiation activity, doctors recommend eating broccoli dishes. This promotes elimination from the body harmful substances, toxins, heavy metal salts.

Eating vegetables helps eliminate swelling. They are one of the main causes of cellulite. With regular consumption of this variety of cabbage, the skin becomes more toned over time.

Also, recent research has found that the active substance sulforaphane, contained in the shoots and stems of broccoli, helps fight certain types of cancer.

Contraindications for eating broccoli

It is not recommended to use the vegetable when cooking vegetable broths. During the cooking process, substances hazardous to human health, guanine and adenine, are transferred into the water. Long-term heat treatment (baking in the oven or microwave) destroys most of the vitamins and other beneficial elements. When frying over high heat, carcinogenic compounds are formed. So dietary product becomes harmful to health.

To avoid trouble and get the benefits of eating the vegetable, it is better to eat this type of cabbage fresh or cook dietary dishes according to all the rules.

Attention! If you have high acidity of the gastric juice or problems with the pancreas, you should not eat broccoli.

Conclusion

Every summer resident who wants to grow a rich harvest should know how to grow broccoli and care for it in open ground conditions.

Broccoli is healthy and versatile. When growing it, many summer residents are faced with the fact that the heads of cabbage do not set. To get a harvest, you need to understand the reasons and carry out a number of preventive and therapeutic measures.

When caring for broccoli, gardeners often observe an unpleasant phenomenon - the plant goes into bloom without having time to set its heads. Causes:

poor soil quality;
excess fertilizer (especially during the formation of the head of cabbage);
ambient temperature above 25 degrees;
lack of sun;
late harvest;
lack of nutrition or watering.

The best fertilizer for broccoli is green tea and vermicompost.

Signs and symptoms

It is easy to understand that broccoli does not produce full heads. There are 2 signs:

The head became knotted, but instead of developing, it began to bloom profusely.
The head does not tie at all, the cabbage grows in height.

In both cases, the result from growing broccoli is zero. Therefore, at the first signs, you need to change your care and take measures to treat the plants.

Important!

Blooming broccoli loses its marketable appearance, but remains suitable for food. It retains all vitamins and nutrients.

What to do

If the main head has gone into color, do not rush and immediately remove the plant from the garden bed. In most cases, after removing the central head of cabbage, lateral ovaries begin to form. In this case, it is worth helping the plant and achieving a good harvest.

Traditional methods

During the entire growth period of broccoli, it needs to be fed only 3 times. The first time - a week after planting the seedlings in the garden bed, the second time - after 14 days, and the third time - during the formation of the head of cabbage.

Cabbage responds positively to watering with fermented nettle infusion.

Fertilizing with brewer's yeast is also effective. This type of fertilizer is applied in the evening to well-warmed and pre-moistened soil.

Foliar feeding for ovaries is prepared on the basis boric acid. 1 teaspoon of powder is diluted with 1 liter of hot water. When the solution has cooled, add another 9 liters cold water and the resulting mixture is sprayed onto the plants.

Chemicals

To ensure that the ovaries form on time and do not bloom, you can use purchased products. Superphosphate and boron have proven themselves well. These substances can be poured into a teaspoon directly under the root.

For irrigation, a urea solution is also used (2 tablespoons per 10 liters of water).

Important!

After each feeding chemicals, loosening and hilling are carried out.

Prevention

Broccoli requires careful and constant care. Basic growing rules:

Observe planting deadlines. The package of seeds must indicate what type of cabbage it is - for summer, autumn or spring planting. The optimal temperature is 15-19 degrees. Therefore, cabbage is planted in such a way that it has time to form before hot weather sets in (before the beginning of June) or closer to autumn (in this case, the formation of the head occurs in September). In the northern regions, it is permissible to grow varieties intended for summer planting.
The right neighborhood. Broccoli develops well next to cucumbers, peas, dill, beets and carrots. Unwanted neighbors - onion and watercress.
In normal climates, plantings are watered every other day. If the summer is hot, watering is carried out daily, in the evening.
Every year, the place where broccoli is planted needs to be changed.

in September, when the nights are cold, the head of cabbage forms more slowly, but larger;
when the head of cabbage reaches the size of a tennis ball, the leaves must be tied over it;
cabbage plantings must be protected from direct sunlight for the entire period of cabbage formation;
it is necessary to cut off the head in a timely manner (the average weight of the head for a particular variety is indicated on the seed packaging), usually the harvest is harvested when the head of cabbage has reached a size of 10-25 cm, but has not yet bloomed;
the head of cabbage is cut with a sharp knife; after the next feeding, new ovaries will form on the sides of the main stem;
heads cut early in the morning or late in the evening are stored better and longer.

Broccoli contains more carotene, ascorbic and nicotinic acid, vitamins and microelements than cauliflower. White cabbage also contains fewer nutrients. Broccoli contains components that prevent the occurrence of cancer. It is useful to eat it fresh or slightly boiled.

There are 2 types of broccoli: calabrese (forms a strong head on a powerful stem), asparagus broccoli - they eat stems that taste similar to asparagus.

Early varieties

Emperor F1 - 75–80 days pass from the growth of the first shoots to harvest.

Comanche - the heads are cut off 3 months after planting the seeds. The bushes tolerate low and high temperatures well.

Laser F1 - broccoli heads, dense and emerald green, are removed after 75 days.

Samme King is a variety that can easily withstand heat. They reap a high yield, regardless of planting time.

Tone - from the appearance of sprouts to the growth of heads, 75–90 days pass. The harvest ripens together. The head of cabbage is dark green, medium density, weight 0.15 - 0.25 kg, has an excellent taste. If the weather is too cool or hot, it may have a brownish-brown color.

Mid-season varieties

Arcadia F1 is a hybrid of medium ripening, produces a large harvest, the growing season is 110 days. The culture is strong and high. The head is large, phthalocyanine green, weighing up to 400 g. Cabbage can be eaten fresh or processed.

Genoa - perfect for dense planting.

Greenbelt - growing season 105 days. The heads of cabbage are medium-sized, excellent quality, with medium-sized flowers.

Calabrese - 90 days pass from the first sprouts to technical ripeness. The heads are average in density. The weight of the central head of cabbage is up to 400 g, after which 6 - 7 heads grow on the side weighing up to 100 g.

Konpakta - 100 days pass from sowing the seeds to harvesting the heads of cabbage. The crop grows very compactly and can be planted in heaps. The head is dome-shaped, large, with small flower buds.

Monton F1 - has an average ripening period and a raised rosette of foliage. The heads are large, weighing up to 800 g, greenish-gray, medium density, good taste.

Senshi - growing season 110 days. The head of cabbage is large, dome-shaped, with medium-sized flower buds; the cabbage lies for a long time after harvesting.

Fortuna - the variety has an average ripening period and a raised rosette of foliage. The head of cabbage is greenish-gray, medium density, weight up to 150 g, good taste.

Caesar - has large, hard, greenish-purple heads.

Late varieties

Lucky F1 - has late date maturation. The heads are large, strong, their weight is 300 – 500 g.

Marathon F1 - has a raised rosette of foliage. The head of cabbage is large, weighing up to 700 g, green, strong, but with a delicate texture, and tastes good.

How to choose the right site and prepare seeds

How to plant broccoli so that the heads start to form?

Plant broccoli in the area where mustard, carrots, beans, potatoes, phacelia, oats, onions, lupines, beans, peas, wheat, and cucumbers previously grew. You should not plant in the same bed where cabbage, tomatoes, beets, radishes, turnips, and radishes grew.

Dry seeds are poured into water at a temperature of +50 ° C for a quarter of an hour, then washed in water. poured on wet wipe made of cotton and put in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Then the seeds are dried and sown.

Sowing seeds

How to sow seeds correctly so that when transplanted into the ground, cabbage heads immediately begin to set?

The substrate is made by mixing equal parts of turf, peat soil and sand. After sowing, water the plantings with a spray bottle. Place in a warm place with an air temperature of +20 °C. When the first shoots appear, set the air temperature to +10 °C for 7 days. Then increase the temperature to +14 – 16 °C, at night - +9 °C. If the room is too warm, above +20 °C, this will contribute to the accelerated formation of the head.

Excessive watering will provoke a disease called “black leg”, and a lack of moisture and light will lead to the growth of dwarf heads.

2 weeks after sowing, the seedlings are planted. After this, the air temperature should be +21 °C, and then it is reduced to +17 °C during the day and +9 °C at night.

2 weeks before transplantation country cottage area The seedlings are hardened by taking them out onto the balcony: first for a quarter of an hour, then for a longer time.

Planting seedlings on the site

The seedlings are transplanted to the site when 5–6 true leaves have grown, at the age of 35–45 days. This is done several times from May 1 until the end of June, then it will be possible to harvest cabbage from July 15 until almost frost.

You can sow seeds on your summer cottage in early May. When planting seeds, dig holes, pour ash, pour out water and sprinkle seeds. Dusting with ash protects against insect attacks.

Care

Broccoli prefers well-moistened soil with neutral characteristics- this can be achieved by mulching the ground. It is recommended to plant broccoli together with beets, dill, peas, cucumbers, carrots, celery, spinach, tomatoes, and marigolds. It is not recommended to plant broccoli together with watercress and onions.

Why does broccoli fade? To prevent the cabbage from going into color, monitor the weight of the head, look at the inscription on the bag of seeds: if the recommended weight of the head is 0.4 kg, then do not expect big head, cut it when it weighs 0.35 kg, then the cabbage will not bloom. Cut the head of cabbage with a knife, do not touch the side foliage. Fertilize the crop, and after a while side shoots will grow.

Why are the heads not forming? If the heads do not set, then you need to remember that they grow at air temperatures up to +18 ° C. That is, late-ripening broccoli varieties should be sown so that the heads form when the air temperature is not too high. In September, with fairly cool nights, the head of cabbage develops more slowly, but as a result grows larger.

Remember that cabbage loves water, and drought will have a bad effect on the development of the head. The crop is especially demanding when it comes to watering when a rosette of foliage forms and a head of cabbage forms.

What to do if the broccoli head does not set? Heads of cabbage may not set due to fertilizing done late or too abundantly. If you feed the plant too intensively, the heads will not set.

Why does broccoli have no ovary? The reason why broccoli does not set a head is a lack of moisture. Another reason is lack of fertilizer. If the cabbage lacks something, then the culture “decides” that there is no point in forming heads of cabbage, and the cabbage will go into color.

The last reason is too hot. Cabbage does not like heat, so when purchasing seeds, read on the packaging whether it is recommended to plant this variety in a particular area. In the South, broccoli is planted in the fall and harvested in the spring.

Broccoli is fed three times: 14 days after planting the seedlings, then after another 2 weeks and when heads form. It is better to use vermicompost solution and herbal tea for fertilizer.

What can be done to make knotted heads grow well? Mulch the plantings with peat and dust the peat with ash. In order for the heads to be tight, it is necessary that straight lines do not fall on them. Sun rays. That is, when tying a head of cabbage, break a rosette of leaves or tie the leaves above the head.

Remember that it is better to plant broccoli seedlings on garden plot later, and in the greenhouse - in April or May.

Kira Stoletova

A head of broccoli grows with many heads. Broccoli blooms after ripening. If the broccoli has bloomed, the gardener made a mistake in care or did not properly harvest the garden.

When cabbage blooms

Immediately after planting the seedlings in open ground, care and fertilizing of the soil around the head of cabbage is organized. Cabbage is unpretentious and can withstand temperature changes; the vegetable rarely gets sick. Broccoli started to bloom in the following cases:

when the vegetable began to bloom in the garden;
when the broccoli immediately bloomed in the place where it was stored.

In the first case, the gardener did not have time to harvest the crop, and in the second, the technology for storing vegetables in the house was violated. If broccoli has begun to bloom, it should not be eaten or continued to be stored - flowering is a sign of spoiled cabbage.

The importance of agricultural technology

The flowering of broccoli is preceded by long term care: Cabbage is planted as seedlings. Until the first shoots, the seedlings are stored in a greenhouse, and after that they are planted in open ground. For the normal ripening of a vegetable that can be eaten, create the right conditions: watering is carried out 4 times a month after fertilizing the soil. Fertilizing the soil depends on its composition. The soil also affects the ripening period of the vegetable, as well as the occurrence of flowering.

Incorrect harvest mode

The basic rule of harvesting is timely cutting of ripe heads of cabbage. If you miss the moment, the broccoli will definitely bloom.

Its color grows quickly and covers the entire head of cabbage in a few days. Flowering vegetables lose their tender juicy core and become tough and tasteless. Broccoli is grown for its vitamins and micronutrients: if you leave a head of cabbage in the open ground, it will spoil and cook poorly - such a dish will not bring any benefit.

First signs of flowering

An overcooked vegetable gradually changes - this is the first sign by which one can judge that cabbage is not suitable for consumption. In its normal state, cabbage is compressed into dense dark green buds. There should be no stains, signs of rot or dry heads on the head.

Be sure to monitor the condition of the head of cabbage: the harvest time is determined by its appearance. Immediately before the flowering of the head of cabbage, which extends from the main stem, its shoots begin to turn yellow. First, uneven yellow-brown spots appear. Within a few days, the head of cabbage becomes covered with a characteristic color, which is difficult to get rid of.

If the cabbage is covered in color, it is too late to harvest. The harvest is cut and used for household needs (feeding livestock). Prudent housewives subject the cabbage heads to heat treatment, but it is no longer possible to obtain all the beneficial substances from cabbage. Negative reactions a product that has bloomed rarely causes, but it is not recommended to eat it.

Improper storage

A healthy harvest for sale or storage at home is also capable of blooming. Cabbage is stored in 2 ways:

on short term- within 2-3 days;
for a long period - several weeks.

If you grow healthy vegetable managed without flowering, it is stored correctly. Even a recently healthy head can become covered with yellow flowers in a few days. In this case, the product loses everything beneficial features.

Short term storage

So that they don’t appear on a fresh head yellow flowers, cabbage heads are stored like fresh greens. Cabbage for this storage method is cut without dividing into separate parts: the head remains whole and without cuts. To store it, prepare a container with water, where a cut of the stem is placed.

If you keep cabbage in water, it will become covered with yellow flowers. This happens the next day, when the vegetable gains moisture. If the cabbage has gone into color, you cannot cook it. If you freeze cabbage harvested in its normal form, after freezing it does not go into flowering. This is one of the most reliable ways to prevent cabbage from blooming.

Cold storage

Without preparation in the refrigerator under normal conditions, the vegetable will quickly spoil. Signs that cabbage is not suitable for consumption: a changed color of the head of cabbage and flowering that covers most of the head of cabbage. To prevent the appearance of inflorescences, it is necessary to properly prepare the place in the refrigerator.

Place a damp, wrung-out napkin on the bottom of the vegetable storage tray (it should be clean and larger in size than a head of cabbage). The head of cabbage is placed in a bag that cannot be closed, and then left on a napkin. Before putting cabbage in the refrigerator, do not wash or trim it. If the inflorescences have already appeared, this storage method is not suitable. It is important to respect the proximity in the refrigerator: apples or bananas should not be placed next to each other. The shelf life of cabbage without inflorescences in this form is no more than 2 weeks.

Conclusion

Broccoli is a food that can be cooked. It retains its beneficial properties and is easy to care for. In normal condition, no inflorescences should appear on the head. If the head of cabbage begins to bloom, the harvest is completely ruined. High humidity leads to the formation of yellow flowers on the head of cabbage. It is impossible to save such a product.

Broccoli, or cabbage, is a unique product with high nutritional value. But farmers complain that it often fades and becomes unsuitable for consumption. That is why it is necessary to familiarize yourself in detail with the peculiarities of growing a plant, the main reasons for the vegetable to fade into color, as well as the rules of selection that will help to avoid such troubles in the future.

Why does broccoli fade?

Broccoli florets used for cooking may bloom prematurely.

Let's look at the main reasons why broccoli began to bloom without gaining its mass:

Signs of flowering

When growing cabbage, it is necessary to constantly monitor the appearance of the head of cabbage, by the condition of which you can determine the time of harvest. When ripe, the head of cabbage has a dense shape with green buds.

As soon as the heads of cabbage change their color, the plant must be picked immediately. The cabbage heads should not be allowed to loosen, as they will subsequently begin to bloom. It is recommended to carry out this before the inflorescences open, when it contains a large number of minerals and vitamins.

To prevent broccoli from blooming, you should Special attention pay also to the mass of the head of cabbage. Don't wait large sizes fruit, and it is necessary to cut the plant when its weight is slightly less than the recommended weight on the package. Then the vegetable will not have time to outgrow and certainly will not bloom. On a personal plot it is necessary to plant varieties that are resistant to flowering, for example, Marathon F1, Calabrese.

Important! If a vegetable in your garden begins to turn yellow, this is a signal that your plant does not have enough nitrogen nutrition.

Before flowering begins, slight spots of a yellowish tint appear on the head of the cabbage. If your plant is blooming yellow flowers, then this is the first sign that the cabbage is overripe and it is too late to cut it. Farmers use the overripe harvest only for technical purposes, for example, as feed for livestock.

What to do if it blooms

Let's take a closer look at what to do with cabbage that has bloomed and find out whether it can be eaten.

Is it necessary to fight color?

Broccoli loses color in any case - this is its natural property. If the plant has already bloomed, you should not cut it down. In many varieties, after cutting off the central head, new young large shoots are formed. But if it is clear that there will be no result, it is better to remove the vegetable from the garden and make room for other crops.

Proper care of cabbage

Broccoli is very demanding when it comes to fertilizing with organic and inorganic fertilizers. Particular attention should be paid to potassium and phosphorus fertilizing, since they directly affect the growth of cabbage. It is also influenced by minerals such as molybdenum, magnesium, boron.

The first fertilizing must be done after the seedlings take root. This is done with a solution of chicken manure (1:20) or mullein infusion (1:10). After 14 days, this procedure should be repeated. It is recommended to carry out the third feeding after the formation of the first young inflorescences.

To do this, you need to mix the following ingredients in 10 liters of clean water:

superphosphate - 40 g;
ammonium nitrate - 20 g;
Potassium sulfate - 10 g.

When growing this vegetable, special attention should be paid to the watering regime. The soil under the plant should be constantly moist. If the soil is too dry when tying the head, the cabbage will definitely go into color.

Important! The main secret of growing is that heads of cabbage are formed only at a temperature of +16...+18°C. To do this, it is advisable to sow late varieties in such a way that the setting of a head of cabbage occurs during a period with low temperature conditions.

In hot summers, cabbage should be irrigated at the root, to a depth of 12–15 cm, 2 times a day. To increase yield in dry weather, plants are sprayed leaf by leaf.

Is it possible to eat broccoli if it blooms?

During the flowering stage, it is recommended to use it for cooking, since all the nutritious and vitamin complexes it preserves, only the presentation of the plant is spoiled and the taste is slightly deteriorated. Flowering cabbage does not accumulate any poisons or substances harmful to humans.

During flowering, cabbage leaves will become bitter and the stems will become fibrous and tough. During this period, the vegetable directs all its energy to the formation of seeds. In some countries of the world, flowering broccoli is used to prepare first courses.

Benefit

Broccoli is an extremely healthy vegetable. The calorie content of 100 g of fresh asparagus cabbage is 28 kcal, boiled - 34 kcal, fried - 46 kcal. The vegetable is considered to be a low-calorie product, so nutritionists recommend using it to normalize body weight.

Energy value vegetable per 100 g is:

proteins - 2.8 g (3.41%);
fats - 0.4 g (0.62%);
carbohydrates - 6.6 g (5.16%);
alimentary fiber- 2.6 g (13.0%);
water - 89.3 g (3.49%).

Useful qualities broccoli depends on its chemical composition and is as follows:
normalizes the functioning of the kidneys, liver and gall bladder;
promotes the removal of toxins, carcinogens and heavy metals from the body;
protects the body from the formation of malignant (cancerous) tumors;
reduces the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke by strengthening blood vessels;
normalizes intestinal motility, relieves chronic obstruction;
restores the functioning of the nervous system;
due to the content of vitamin B9 has positive influence on the body of pregnant women;
normalizes metabolism and also helps reduce excess weight;
Regular consumption prevents the development of atherosclerosis and the onset of premature aging of the body.

Broccoli is also called petiole cabbage because the side leaves (petioles) are suitable for consumption.

Harm

Despite all the benefits, broccoli can also cause harm to the human body.

Cabbage, raw or fried, should not be eaten by people who:
suffer from increased stomach acidity;
have stomach ulcers, as well as acute gastritis and pancreatitis;
have individual intolerance to the product.

Storage Features

There are several ways to ensure that a vegetable lasts as long as possible. First, you need to pay more attention to the nuances of harvesting techniques. It is advisable to cut the head of cabbage for storage with a petiole 8–10 cm long, and not under the inflorescence itself.

Did you know? According to statistics, 79% of US residents eat broccoli. Every year Americans eat 76 thousand tons of this vegetable.

It is also necessary to remember that early-ripening varieties are not suitable for long-term storage, unlike late-ripening varieties.

The shelf life of broccoli is affected by temperature, air humidity and the quality of the cabbage itself. Before storing cabbage, you should not wash it under running water, as this will significantly reduce its shelf life.

Short term

Fresh cut heads of cabbage are stored for a short time. To do this, you need to place them in the refrigerator in a plastic bag with small holes for ventilation or in a special container. Cut heads of broccoli can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 3 weeks at a temperature of +4...+7°C. Optimal humidity is 95%.

Freshly cut broccoli can also be stored at room temperature, but no more than 2–3 hours, otherwise the healthy vegetable may wither and spoil.

Long-term in the refrigerator

For longer storage, the vegetable is frozen; in this form it can be stored in the freezer for 6 to 10 months.

Did you know? American John Evans managed to grow the largest broccoli in the world. The weight of the vegetable was 15.8 kg.

Shock, which involves freezing in a very short period of time, preserves all the beneficial properties of the vegetable and helps preserve its presentation. This method will allow the broccoli to last as long as possible.

Method for cooking broccoli that has bloomed

This vegetable can be consumed both raw and after heat treatment. Broccoli can be boiled and baked in the oven. It is added to omelettes, pizzas, puree soups, salads, pies, etc. But you should remember that frying the vegetable is not recommended, since under the influence high temperature harmful carcinogens are released. The ideal cooking option is steamed.

Every summer resident dreams of getting good harvest broccoli. By studying the basic rules of selection, as well as growing conditions, you can achieve the desired result.