Decorative cabbagetolerates frosts very well and looks great on flowerbeds when planted with chrysanthemums blooming in autumn. Therefore, it is becoming more and more popular in autumn flower arrangements. We suggest what the cultivation of ornamental cabbage in the garden looks like, and whether it is possible to grow ornamental cabbage in a pot. Here are all the secrets about ornamental cabbage!
Decorative cabbage
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Decorative cabbage - application
Ornamental cabbage(Brassica oleracea) has an extraordinary decorative value in the garden thanks to its crimped or wavy leaves.It can be planted on the edges of the flowerbed or arranged in floristic compositions. Someornamental cabbage varietiesare sold as cut flowers. In autumn, the inner leaves of the heads change into intense shades of various colors - they can be white, yellowish, purple, pink or red.
Decorative cabbage is used primarily as a plant for autumn flower arrangements , both in flower beds and flower beds. More and more often in cemeteriesornamental cabbage instead of chrysanthemumThis plant also looks nice in the company of heathers blooming in autumn.
In addition to the decorative qualitiesornamental cabbage also has nutritional propertiesIt contains a large dose of vitamin C and has few calories. It is edible, although its leaves are quite hard and slightly bitter. That is why it is used in the kitchen only for decorative purposes - it is perfect for decorating dishes.
Decorative cabbage. Growing by sowing seeds
Cabbage is propagated as an ornament from seeds . We sow ornamental cabbage seeds under cover from March. Seedling cultivation takes 4-6 weeks. While growing, we regularly water the cabbage and remove the weed seedlings.
The seedbed for ornamental cabbage seedsshould be well drained. A peat substrate with the addition of sand or perlite with a pH of 5.5-6.0 will be good. Decorative cabbage seeds germinate better in the dark, so cover them with a layer of substrate.The temperature of the substrate during the sprouting of ornamental cabbageshould be approx. 20 ° C. The sprouts appear about 10 days after sowing.
Decorative cabbage next to chrysanthemums
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After the emergence of seedlings, the temperature should fluctuate around 15 ° C. At the end of Mayseedlings of ornamental cabbage are planted on a permanent place . Decorative cabbage can also be sown directly into the ground from June.
In gardening stores in the autumn, when the ornamental cabbage looks the most beautiful, we can buy ready-madeseedlings of ornamental cabbage in potsThey are suitable for decorating autumn beds or boxes on balconies. They are also becoming more and more popular tomb decorations at All Saints' Day.
Growing ornamental cabbage in the garden
Decorative cabbage prefers a sunny positionand a soil rich in nutrients. It is grown as an annual plant and does not winter in the ground. It lasts only until the first more severe frost. Ornamental cabbage should not be planted in places where other plants belonging to the brassica family grew in the previous year, due to the same diseases and pests.
The seedlings of decorative cabbage should be planted at the end of May, spaced 40 x 40 cm . During growth, ornamental cabbage must be watered and fertilized. Only then will we obtain intense color in autumn.
Of course, you should not overdo it with fertilization, because too high doses will cause poor discoloration of the heads.To fertilize ornamental cabbage, we can use organic fertilizers , e.g. compost or biohumus. A universal mineral fertilizer for garden plants will also be suitable.
You should also remember to water the plants regularly, becausewater shortage causes growth inhibition, yellowing and falling of the lower leaves of ornamental cabbage .
Growing ornamental cabbage in a pot
Decorative cabbage can be grown in potscreating autumn compositions together with frosts, heathers or shavings. We can prepare cabbage seedlings ourselves or buy them in a garden shop.
Seeds of ornamental cabbage are sown at home on a window sillor in mini-greenhouses, which can be purchased at garden stores. Trays with multi-pots will also work well. The substrate for sowing seeds should be a mixture of peat substrate, soil and sand or perlite mixed in a 1: 1: 1 ratio.After a few days at a temperature of 20 ° C, the seeds of the ornamental cabbage begin to germinate.
Decorative cabbage in pots
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When the leaves of the seedlings begin to touch each other, we start quilting the decorative cabbage. Seedlings need to be transplanted into larger pots. These can be containers that we will use for autumn decorations.
The seedlings of the decorative cabbage should be moved to a cool and airy place . Too high temperature causes shoots to elongate. It stays in such a place until the end of August. Usually after a few nights at a temperature of around 10 ° C, the cabbage leaves are already partially stained.
During the growth of ornamental cabbage, we water and fertilize it regularly.Ornamental cabbages grown in pots need slightly more water than those grown in the groundThe soil in the pot dries up quickly, especially in warm summer.It is a good idea to place the cabbage pots in trays filled with water. Then the water seeps from the bottom of the pot and we avoid unnecessary soaking of the leaves, which reduces the risk of rotting and the occurrence of fungal diseases.
Decorative cabbage varieties
About 30 varieties of ornamental cabbage are known.The most popular varieties of ornamental cabbage form dense rosettes of colorful leaves resembling head cabbage.Decorative cabbage with long shoots ending in a rosette of colorful leaves is used in the bouquets. Less known, and deserving to be popularized, arediscount varieties of ornamental cabbage with a kale appearance
Colorful varieties of ornamental cabbage
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The group of ornamental cabbage varieties ideally suited for pot cultivationis the Osaka F1 group with curly leaves, growing up to 15 cm in height.It is represented by the following varieties: 'White' with a white rosette center, 'Pink' with a pink center and 'Red' with a purple rosette center.
The group of varieties of ornamental cabbage Kyoto F1is recommended especially for containers, but it can also be grown in the ground. It is represented by varieties such as: 'Red-Green' with a red center of the rosette, green marginal leaves and a smooth leaf edge, 'Violet-Green' with a purple red center and 'White'Green' with a white center.
On the other hand, the representatives of the Kamome F1 group have compact rosettes, they reach a height of 15-25 cm, create strongly crimped leaves andstain earlier and more intensively than other ornamental cabbagesThis group also tolerates low temperatures better and in autumn it decorates the garden for a long time. This group includes varieties with a white, pink and red center and all green outer rosette leaves.
Also interesting is thegroup of ornamental cabbage varieties called Tokyo F1 , which has smooth, delicate leaves without bitterness andthe most suitable for consumption of all ornamental cabbage varieties Its rosettes are round, very even, and their colored center is slightly smaller than in other varieties.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
