Reviews of broccoli varieties and hybrids

Broccoli is renowned not only for its beneficial properties but also for its ease of cultivation, as it's low-maintenance. Broccoli comes in many varieties and hybrids, with reviews available, as can be seen in the photos. All you need to do is choose the right variety so it has time to ripen and produce fruit in a given region, which has varying climates and weather conditions. Also read about growing white cabbage.

Early varieties and hybrids

Broccoli varieties and hybrids (reviews and photos) differ from each other not only in appearance, but also in ripening time. The most popular early-harvesting varieties for growing in garden beds:

• The Lazar F1 honeycomb is renowned for its ability to produce its first fruits in approximately 70 days from planting. The plant produces large, light green inflorescences.
• F1 broccoli stands out from other early-ripening varieties with its large head. Its harvest can be stored for a long time without losing its nutritional value. Its distinctive feature is its beautiful malachite-green color.
• The Tonus variety ripens in two to two and a half months from sowing. The cabbage head is 8 centimeters in diameter, medium firm, and dark green. Each fruit weighs up to 200 grams.
• The Linda variety takes about 100 days to mature. This hybrid broccoli variety (reviews and photos) weighs about 350 grams, is dark green, and produces small side shoots.

Mid-season varieties

Mid-season broccoli varieties and hybrids (photo) receive positive reviews, even though they yield slightly more. However, the fruits are quite heavy and can be frozen for the winter.

Such varieties and hybrids include:

• Arcadia has a vigorous green head and tolerates dense planting. This hybrid takes 110 days to ripen. A single head can weigh up to 450 grams.
• Fortuna – distinguished by its grey-green colour and large head.
• The Calabrese variety produces a dense head of broccoli weighing 400 grams with a green-blue tint.
• The mid-season variety called Monterey is one of the largest, with a single fruit weighing up to 1.5 kilograms. However, this hybrid variety does not produce lateral shoots.

What care needs to be provided

Although broccoli comes in a variety of varieties and hybrids (reviews and photos), it still requires minimal care for a bountiful harvest. Useful information about growing cauliflower.

Broccoli thrives in light, so when planting, choose a well-lit spot. The plant thrives in non-acidic soil. Soil acidity can be reduced by adding chalk or lime before planting.

The soil around the root zone should be regularly loosened and weeded. This will allow the plant to receive more oxygen and nutrients.

When weeding, it's important not to overwater the plant, but do so regularly. In hot weather, it's recommended to mist the plant as often as possible. Broccoli also appreciates fertilizer. The first time you fertilize the plant, once the seedlings begin to grow, use a diluted mullein (a mayonnaise bucket per bucket of water) with a teaspoon of urea added.

The second time, apply saltpeter fertilizer, three weeks after the first application. You can use ready-made fertilizer mixes for cabbage, which are available at any gardening store. Helpful tips on the topic: When to plant cabbage seedlings in 2016.

Reviews

Broccoli comes in different varieties and varieties (photos). Which ones produce the most yield and how to care for them can be found in reviews from professionals and gardening enthusiasts.

Snezhana: "Last year, I didn't have a broccoli harvest; I picked the early-ripening Lazar variety. I didn't take the sowing time into account, and the plants grew during the hottest part of the year. It turns out, you need to keep an eye on the temperature to form seedlings. Keep the temperature below 25 degrees Celsius. Although, the year before last, I picked the Tonus variety, didn't monitor the temperature, and got a huge, delicious harvest."

Anna: "My favorite broccoli variety is Fiesta! I've never been able to get a decent harvest with other varieties before. But Fiesta doesn't care for heat or rain! I always try to stock up on this variety; not only is it easy to grow, but it's also delicious and produces a decent harvest."