How to properly grow Chinese cabbage in a greenhouse all year round

Until recently, Chinese cabbage, or petsai, was considered a novelty and unpopular among consumers. However, thanks to its beneficial properties and flavor, it has become popular. Growing Chinese cabbage in greenhouses has made it possible to grow a tasty and healthy vegetable year-round.

Features of greenhouse cultivation

Growing vegetables in a greenhouse requires maintaining the right temperature for the crop. Its seeds germinate well at temperatures as low as 4 degrees Celsius. Mature plants do not tolerate temperature fluctuations. Careful monitoring is necessary to ensure consistent temperature fluctuations.

The ideal temperature for Pekingese to thrive is 12 to 22 degrees Celsius. If the thermometer reads below these temperatures, the plant will sprout and may begin to flower. Higher temperatures prevent the plants from developing properly.

In a heated greenhouse, you can easily set the desired temperature and control daylight hours, creating optimal conditions for good head formation year-round. This variety produces fruit as early as 45-55 days after sprouting, while white cabbage ripens in 90-165 days. This allows for up to three harvests per year.

Greenhouse varieties

When choosing a variety, consider how quickly you want to harvest. The earliest varieties are considered hybrids, which mature in 50 days. These varieties can yield a bountiful harvest of up to one ton. Varieties that can be planted in early spring include:

1. F1 Spring Beauty. This variety easily tolerates low light conditions. Cabbage heads grow up to 2 kg.
2. F1 Spring Jade. This variety tolerates temperature fluctuations and is resistant to diseases. A single head can grow up to 3 kg.
3. Vesnyanka. 35 days are enough for full development.

The "F1 First Vitamins" variety is best planted in spring and summer. It rarely bolts and tolerates sudden temperature changes.

When choosing a variety in the fall, it's important to consider its ability to withstand cold temperatures. Fall varieties yield fruit 60-65 days after germination. Popular hybrid varieties include:

• beauty F1;
• F1 jade;
• September F1.

When planting cauliflower, it's important not to plant spring varieties in the fall, and vice versa. This can lead to bolting and a spoiled harvest.

Planting a crop

For proper ripening, the soil must be airy and fertile. However, it shouldn't be too airy, as it can dry out quickly. Soil that's too heavy is prone to disease. Therefore, neutral soil with a moderate acidity is considered the best option.

The crop should be planted according to the following pattern: 45 cm between rows, and up to 2 cm within a row. 2 grams of seeds per square meter is sufficient. Do not plant the seeds too deeply. The temperature in the greenhouse should not fall below 20 degrees Celsius until the seedlings emerge. Once the seedlings appear, reduce the temperature to below 9 degrees Celsius for one week. This is necessary for the bushes to acclimate.

Once the plants have grown, they should be thinned out, leaving the strongest ones. The distance between plants should be 15 cm. After a week, the distance between seedlings is increased to 35 cm.

Petsai can also be grown from seedlings. However, since the bushes don't respond well to transplanting, the seeds should be sown in individual pots first. Three seeds are sown in one container, and they germinate within six days. Then, select the strongest plant. Water as the soil dries out. Once four leaves have formed, the seedlings are ready to be planted.

Caring for Chinese cabbage

Proper watering is essential for Chinese cabbage. The plant thrives in moisture, but avoid overwatering, as waterlogging will kill the plant. Water should be warm. Chinese cabbage doesn't like dense plantings. In such conditions, the plant becomes susceptible to disease and poor growth.

Don't forget about fertilizing the plant. Organic fertilizers containing nitrogen and potassium are ideal for this purpose. Two applications per growing season are sufficient: first with organic fertilizer, then with mineral fertilizers. When fertilizing, it's important to keep in mind that Chinese cabbage can accumulate nitrates. Therefore, chemicals and artificial fertilizers should be used with caution.

Chinese cabbage is also susceptible to various pests. You can protect it by taking the following steps:

• abundant watering of bushes (the cruciferous flea beetle is afraid of moisture);
• sprinkle tobacco dust with wood ash between the beds;
• Plant caraway or dill nearby, the smell of which fleas cannot stand.

Once the heads have firmed up, they can be harvested. However, not all varieties store equally well. For example, spring varieties cannot be stored and must be consumed immediately. Autumn varieties have a limited shelf life.

To preserve the cabbage head longer, wrap it in cellophane and then newspaper. Storage temperatures should not drop below freezing. The optimal temperature for storing the cabbage for up to five months is between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius.

Conclusion

Growing a crop like Chinese cabbage is a rewarding and profitable endeavor. Moreover, it can be done year-round. This will provide a constant supply of beneficial vitamins and also provide a stable source of income. For beginning gardeners, cauliflower offers a nutritious addition to their diet.

This crop doesn't require any special growing conditions or requirements. If you follow all the simple farming techniques, you can get a juicy and healthy product.

Reviews

Valeria

Chinese cabbage is highly prized in my family. That's why I always grow it in a greenhouse. The key is proper watering. Since the roots of the plant are located on the surface and are weak, it's important to prevent the top layer of soil from drying out.

Andrey

I used to buy Chinese cabbage in supermarkets. But last year, I accidentally read about the secrets of growing it at home. The cultivation techniques are simple, so I decided to try growing it in a greenhouse. Maintaining the correct temperature for the plants is crucial. It's also important not to plant it too densely, so the heads will grow large and juicy.