Chinese cabbageis a vegetable originally from China. Due to the richnutritional properties of Chinese cabbageand the possibility of cultivation as an aftercrop plant, it deserves more attention. See what thecultivation of Chinese cabbage on the plotlooks like and whichvarieties of Chinese cabbageare worth choosing. We advise you on how to get tasty Chinese cabbage from your own cultivation!
Chinese cabbage
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Chinese cabbage - properties
Chinese cabbage(Brassica rapa subsp. Pekinensis) produces oblong, oval leaves 30 to 60 cm long. They are light green on the outside and cream on the inside. The middle veins of the cabbage are fleshy, white and ribbon-like. Chinese cabbage heads are oval or oblong depending on the variety.
Chinese cabbage can be eaten raw or cooked , and also as a sour vegetable. It is therefore widely used in the kitchen. It is also worth using it becausecompared to other varieties of cabbage, Chinese cabbage is the most easily digestible and the most delicate in taste
Nutritional and he alth benefits of Chinese cabbageresult from the high content of mineral s alts: calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium and mustard oils. Chinese cabbage also contains a large amount of protein easily digestible by the human body, with a favorable amino acid composition.For this reason, it is worth including Chinese cabbage in a vegan diet.
Chinese cabbage is rich in vitamin C , the amount of which, however, may vary depending on the cultivation date and variety. Caloric value of Chinese cabbage is approx. 36 kcal per100g of vegetables.
Chinese cabbage can be eaten raw or cooked
Fig. pixabay.com
The nutritional properties of Chinese cabbage meant that this vegetable is recommended in various he alth-promoting dietsThe iron in Beijing cabbage prevents anemia, calcium strengthens bones, and potassium is responsible for the work of muscles and good concentration. Chinese cabbage is also a valuable source of folic acid. It is recommended for pregnant women because, unlike other cabbage, it does not cause flatulence.
It is also worth paying attention to the sulfur contained in Chinese cabbage, which improves the appearance of hair, nails and skin.However, the sulfur content also results inunpleasant Chinese cabbage smell during cookingIt can be avoided by adding some walnuts to the pan or by cooking the cabbage for a very short time, without cover.
Chinese cabbage - varieties
Chinese cabbage varieties differ from each otherthe length of the growing season, cultivation period, recommended place of cultivation, and above all, the shape and height of the heads, resistance to knocking out in the inflorescence shoot (i.e. vernalization) and disease sensitivity.The temperature requirements of Chinese cabbagemake it the best to choose cultivars for the autumn harvest for amateur cultivation on a plot or in a garden. Then the cultivation of Chinese cabbage begins in July, they should be able to ensure the highest possible temperatures in the initial phase of growth.
The varieties of Chinese cabbage recommended for growing in beds for the autumn harvest are :
- Chinese cabbage 'Granaat'- forms dense, long heads, about 50 cm high and 12 cm wide. Perfect for cultivation from sowing directly into the ground in the summer,
- Chinese cabbage 'Bristol'- seeds of this variety are sown in pots in mid-June, and plant beds are planted in the second half of July. Due to the delicate root system, remember to water your plants regularly. Harvesting will be possible in September or October. The heads of this variety of Chinese cabbage are best for direct consumption.
If we want to grow Chinese cabbage in the spring, we must remember to ensure the appropriate temperature in the greenhouse or heated tunnel for the produced seedlings.Chinese cabbage varieties are suitable for spring cultivation :
- Chinese cabbage 'Optico F1'- early variety, useful for cultivation in the ground and under covers.Can be eaten raw or cooked. It is suitable for late spring and early summer harvesting (sowing in March-April on a seedbed or directly into the ground), as well as for autumn harvesting (sowing in June-July),
- Chinese cabbage 'Manoko F1'- an early variety for cultivation under covers and in the ground. Recommended for direct consumption and short storage. Resistant to vernalization during spring cultivation (no tendency to premature flower formation due to temperature fluctuations), however, it requires seedling preparation at a temperature not lower than 20 ° C.
Of course, it is also worth paying attention toother features of Chinese cabbage varieties , such as resistance to the most common diseases of this vegetable. The Chinese cabbage 'Chorus' and 'Parkin' are tolerant to cabbage syphilis, while the early 'Nerva' variety is distinguished by good resistance to knocking out of the inflorescence shoot and browning of the leaf edges. On the other hand, the 'Sapporo' variety of Chinese cabbage is perfect for fresh salads due to its very brittle and juicy leaves.
Chinese cabbage - cultivation
Chinese cabbage is grown from sowing directly into the ground or from seedlingsSeedlings are grown under cover and in beds for earlier harvest.Chinese cabbage can be grown in vegetable bedsin spring, summer and autumn, but only in the latter it is sown straight into the ground. However, in a greenhouse or in tunnels, it is usually grown as a forecrop in early spring or as an aftercrop in late autumn.
Chinese cabbage grown on the plot
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Chinese cabbage grown in a greenhouse in early springshould be harvested by mid-April, because a delay in harvesting may result in the breakout of the inflorescence shoot, i.e. vernalization. For the same reasonthe cultivation of autumn Chinese cabbage should not start before mid-July
Spring cultivation of Chinese cabbage in the field only succeeds from seedlingsWhen planting seedlings in the field, the seedlings should be well protected against temperature drops, e.g. by covering them with non-woven fabric.
For proper growth and production of dense heads with good tasteChinese cabbage requires quite a specific temperature course :
- around 20 ° C in the initial phase of growth, at the stage of seedling production (if the temperature is not sufficiently high, the plants will be susceptible to vernalization or early breaking into inflorescences),
- 15-16 ° C when tying the head,
- 10-13 ° C. in the final stage of cultivation until harvest.
This temperature system, i.e. warmth at the beginning of the cultivation and cooler the closer to the harvest date, inamateur Chinese cabbage cultivation on a plot or in a gardenis easiest to obtain when sowing in summer for the autumn harvest.Thereforethe best crops of Chinese cabbage are obtained from fall crops, growing them in the beds from sowing in mid-July to harvesting in OctoberDuring this time, Chinese cabbage can be grown as an aftercrop after peas, lettuce or spinach .We have compiled the dates of sowing, planting and harvesting Chinese cabbage in a helpful table.
Download this table in a printable version:
- Chinese cabbage - sowing, planting and harvesting dates (PDF)
Chinese cabbage responds poorly to heavy, compacted soil and stagnant water.The pH of the soil for Chinese cabbage cultivation should be between 6.5 and 7.5In soils with a lower pH, Chinese cabbage grows poorly and is easily infested with cabbage syphilis. Light soils should be enriched with humus with large doses of compost or manure.
In the cultivation of Chinese cabbage, it is very important to change As with other brassicas, also with Chinese cabbage, the principle of cultivation in the same place is not more frequent than once every 3 years.Early potatoes will be a very good forecrop for Chinese cabbage.Chinese cabbage is also a good forecrop. Shades the substrate well, maintains a lumpy structure and inhibits the growth of weeds.
If Chinese cabbage is hay immediately,on an area of 10m² we sow about 2g Chinese cabbage seedsWhen growing with seedlings, Chinese cabbage seeds are best sown in pots so that they can be gently transplanted into the ground. This is important as the Chinese cabbage roots are fragile and easy to damage. In amateur cultivation, sowing seeds into peat pots is a good solution. When planting plants, they are planted together with pots, which will decompose quickly in the ground, fertilizing the substrate. Then there is no risk of damaging the roots when transplanting.
Chinese cabbage - harvesting and storage
We harvest Chinese cabbage about 60-100 days after sowing , when the heads are already well developed. The exact date of course depends on the growing season of the variety.
If the Chinese cabbage is intended for direct consumptionfrom autumn crops, it can be harvested from the end of September to the end of OctoberAfter cutting the head of the cabbage, it is best to remove the outer leaves immediately and wrap the head in foil to prevent moisture loss . Remember to collect all the cabbage heads before the first frost.
When harvesting Chinese cabbage for storagethe procedure is slightly different. Well, the protective leaves are not removed, and the depth is cut just below them. Then place the cabbage heads vertically in boxes and move them to the storage room.
Chinese cabbage heads can be storedfor several weeks in refrigerated chambers at a temperature of 0 to 3 ° C. At home, we can store it in the refrigerator, on the lower shelf, for a maximum of 2 weeks.
Remember thatChinese cabbage should not be kept near vegetables and fruits that emit ethylene . Therefore, let's avoid storing Chinese cabbage next to apples, pears and tomatoes. In their company, Chinese cabbage leaves will turn yellow quickly.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
