Brussels sprouts are easily recognizable by miniature heads of cabbage growing on one stalk. This unusual vegetable is appreciated by lovers of a healthy diet - it is not only tasty, but also healthy. We learn about the varieties of "small cabbage" cabbage, how to plant and grow it in the Russian climate.
The history of the spread of culture
Brussels sprouts - the fruit of selection of Belgian vegetable growers, in the wild it does not grow. The culture, bred by breeders, originates from wild kale - it once grew in abundance in the Mediterranean region, and was cultivated in antiquity.
It is believed that Brussels sprouts were bred in the 13th century. The famous scientist and naturalist Karl Linnaeus was the first to describe the new culture, calling it "Brussels". On a large scale, unusual cabbage was grown in the 18th century, in Russia it appeared in the middle of the 19th century, but was not widely used here. The Russian climate is not particularly suitable for this culture, so it is grown in Russia in a limited way.
Botanical Description
Brussels sprouts (Brássica oleracea) is a vegetable crop and a type of kale belonging to the cruciferous family. This biennial cross-pollinating plant is strikingly different from all other representatives of the cabbage family.
What does Brussels sprouts look like:
- In the 1st year. On a thick stem - small and medium leaves with thin petioles. The height of the stem is 20-60 cm. The length of the slightly lyre-shaped leaves is 15-35 cm. The leaves are green or gray-green, on the surface there is a slight waxy coating. In the axils of the leaves, on the tops of short stems small heads of cabbage grow - the size of a walnut. One plant gives 20-40 miniature heads of cabbage, each of which weighs about 10 g.
- In the 2nd year. Branched flower stalks develop. The plant blooms, and then gives the fruits filled with seeds. The flowers are yellow, collected in inflorescences. The fruit is a polyspermal pod.
Seed production
The agricultural technology of seed production "Brussels" is the same as that of white cabbage, and includes three stages:
- Growing uterine plants. Sow seeds at the same time as when growing to obtain a crop. The mother liquors are cleaned to frost. Plants are well developed and well formed. Heads of cabbage should be dense and large enough.
- Winter storage. Before laying for storage, the leaves are cut, leaving the apical bud a couple of centimeters above the heads of cabbage. The mother liquors are placed in rows in piles or in cold storage, and sprinkled with sand. Storage temperature - from 0 to + 1 ° C, humidity - 90-95%. Petioles break off as they dry.
- Seed cultivation. In the spring, mother liquors are grown - 2-3 weeks before planting, they are dug in the open ground. Then planted with an interval of 70 cm, the distance between the rows is also 70 cm. Planting is done as soon as the soil is ready.
Look after the testes - weed weeds, feed, destroy pests, watered, spud and tied. When the seeds reach milky-wax ripeness, the shoots are cut and stacked under a canopy. Or harvested in small sheaves to ripen the fruits.
What are the varieties and hybrids?
Breeders bred dozens of varieties - productive, resistant to disease, with excellent taste. All varieties and hybrids of this culture are divided into 3 groups:
- early - 120-150 days;
- medium early - 150-180 days;
- later - more than 200 days.
Varieties differ from each other in different characteristics - the height of the stems, the shape and size of the heads of cabbage, productivity, precocity, immunity.
Low and medium-sized varieties and hybrids are most beneficial for growing - they are conveniently cleaned mechanically.
The main characteristics of varieties and hybrids of Brussels sprouts:
Varieties and hybrids | Ripening dates (from seedlings to harvest), days | The number of heads of cabbage per plant, pieces | The total weight of heads of cabbage on one plant, kg | Productivity, kg / 1 sq. m | Note |
Early | |||||
Rosella F1 | 160-165 | 80-100 | 2 | 1,1-1,7 | Slight wax coating on the leaves. You can freeze. |
Long Island | 150-160 | 50-80 | 0,8 | 0,8-1,2 | Leaves are bubbly, heads of cabbage are dense, green. The taste is great. |
Franklin F1 | 150-160 | 70 | 1 | 2,8 | Leaves are bubbly, heads are spherical, large, with excellent taste. |
Mid-season | |||||
Hercules | 145-160 | 20-30 | 0,2-0,3 | 2-2,4 | Heads have a loose structure due to corrugated leaves. |
Garnet Bracelet F1 | 120-125 | 30-40 | 0,4-0,5 | 15-20 | Purple violet leaves |
Funny company | 160-170 | 60 | 0,6 | 2,4 | Suitable for freezing. Moderately dense head of cabbage. |
Late ripening | |||||
Commander | 120-150 | 20-40 | 0,55-0,6 | 2,3 | Great taste, heads of cabbage are used for salads and other purposes. |
Curl | 170-180 | 50-70 | 0,5-0,7 | 2 | Heads of one size, roundish. |
Sanda | 170-175 | 20-40 | 0,3-0,6 | 2 | Heads of cabbage are used for fresh food, for pickling and freezing. |
Brussels sprouts grade Rosella
Brussels sprouts Long Island variety
Brussels sprouts sort Franklin
Brussels sprouts grade Hercules
Brussels sprouts grade Pomegranate bracelet
Brussels sprouts variety Merry company
Brussels sprouts grade Commander
Brussels sprouts Curl grade
Brussels sprouts grade Sanda
Taste characteristics and product value
To taste, Brussels sprouts are not like any kind of cabbage. At the same time there are sweetish and bitter notes, as well as a slight nutty flavor. It’s not easy to describe the taste spectrum of “Brussels” - it’s better to try it yourself.
In 100 g of Brussels sprouts - 43 kcal. Protein - 4.8 g, fat - 0.3 g, carbohydrates - 8. This vegetable is the leader in protein content. For comparison - in white cabbage protein - 1.8 g, in Beijing - 1.2 g, in broccoli - 3 g.
Benefit and harm
Brussels sprouts contain a large amount of vitamins, minerals, as well as many other useful substances that have a beneficial effect on the body.
The benefits of Brussels sprouts:
- There are many carotenoids in it - these elements have a beneficial effect on the retina.
- Regular use reduces the risk of asthma, increases immunity to viral infections.
- Due to the fiber contained in the vegetable, toxins and toxins are eliminated, the acidity of the stomach is reduced, constipation and heartburn are prevented.
- It reduces the concentration of cholesterol in the blood, has a choleretic effect, restores the liver.
- Strengthens the walls of blood vessels and normalizes cardiac activity.
- It contains a lot of calcium necessary for healthy hair, bones and nails.
- It inhibits the development of breast cancer.
- Contains folic acid needed by women during pregnancy.
- Restores pancreatic function, recommended for diabetes.
Brussels sprouts are contraindicated in people:
- with individual intolerance to the product - severe allergic reactions may appear;
- with a tendency to heartburn and flatulence - cabbage can trigger an exacerbation.
Climate and soil requirements
Cabbage, bred in Belgium, prefers moderation in the weather - she does not like heat and dampness, she needs favorable, moderate in all respects weather. The best option for growing "Brussels" - climatic zones, characterized by a long, warm autumn.
In countries with a climate favorable for Brussels sprouts, for example, in Holland, it is grown even in winter. But the largest crops are received in the USA, Canada and Great Britain.
To grow safely, having accumulated a full set of vitamins in the right amount, Brussels sprouts need the following conditions:
- optimal growing temperature - from +18 to + 22 ° C;
- temperature + 25 ° C and above is not permissible - crop growth stops, productivity decreases;
- during the period of intensive growth - the prevalence of sunny days over cloudy days, and the latter should be a minimum;
- lack of nitrogen fertilizers leading to the accumulation of nitrates in the vegetable;
- the culture is extremely cold-resistant - seeds begin to grow already at + 2 ° C, adult plants are able to withstand frosts down to -10 ° C.
Culture refers to cold-resistant. Frost, harmful to most plants, tolerates without special consequences for growth and productivity. Adult cabbage tolerates frosts especially well - frosts down to minus 5-7 ° C. After the frost retreats, the cabbage thaws and starts growing again. Moreover, it is believed that frosts benefit Brussels - the taste of its "micro heads" becomes even better.
Brussels sprouts, compared with white cabbage, are not so demanding on soils:
- can grow on light soils that are not highly fertile;
- prefers soils with a high calcium content;
- Recommended acidity pH is 6.0-7.0.
Crop rotation
Brussels sprouts are not planted for 4 years in the area where cruciferous, beets and tomatoes grew. Crop rotation rules prohibit the planting of cruciferous plants in one place for several years. Violation of this principle leads to the defeat of the "Brussels" cabbage diseases.
Preparation for landing
In order for the proper number of heads of cabbage, tasty and nutritious, to ripen on Brussels sprouts, the culture must be planted correctly and on time. Gardeners pre-prepare the soil and seeds - the future yield depends on their quality.
Terms and conditions
The timing of planting seeds depends on several factors:
- climatic features of the region;
- current weather - this is especially important when growing seedlings;
- varieties of brussels sprouts.
For central Russia, the optimal time for sowing seeds is 2-3 weeks in April. Early varieties are sown in late March, late - after April 10. Seedlings are planted much later - in the early days of June, but no later than the 10th.
Soil preparation
Brussels sprouts grow on any soil, even on slightly acidic. But to get a good crop, you need dense and at the same time breathable, rich in organic soil. If the soil is poor, infertile, cabbage will grow, but very slowly.
When planting a crop in a new, non-fertilized place, the soil is prepared by applying for each square meter:
- humus - 1 bucket;
- nitrophoska - 1/2 cup;
- lime or wood ash - 2 cups.
You can also add urea (14 g), potassium chloride (4 g), superphosphate (30 g), and during planting seedlings - 1/2 teaspoon of nitroammophoska in each well.
Having scattered over the fertilizer area, it is dug up, leveled and watered with potassium permanganate - to disinfect the earth. 1.5 g of potassium permanganate is added to 10 l of water. Irrigation rate - 3 liters per 1 square. m. Instead of potassium permanganate, you can use "Fitosporin" - it is used 1-2 weeks before planting.
Brussels sprouts consume a lot of nitrogen and potassium during the growing season. The culture is responsive to organic fertilizers. It is not recommended to use fresh manure as a fertilizer - it delays the formation and worsens the marketability of heads of cabbage, they become loose and poorly stored.
When planting cabbage seedlings in the area where legumes, tomatoes or cucumbers grew before, you can do without fertilizing - if organic matter was already planted before planting.
Seed preparation
If a little seed is bought - for a test, then you can take those that have already gone through industrial processing. If you have to plant a large volume of cabbage, it is more profitable to buy unprocessed seeds - they are cheaper. But only they will have to be processed in a stimulator and disinfector on their own.
Seed treatment:
- immersion in water at a temperature of 50 ° C - for 20 minutes;
- taking seeds from hot water, rinsing them in running water - 1-2 minutes;
- stand 12 hours in "Kornevin" or "Epin";
- washed and put in the refrigerator for 24 hours - in the bottom drawer intended for vegetables;
- dry the seeds - so that during sowing they do not stick to the hands.
Hardening of seeds in the refrigerator at minus 1 ° C increases the frost resistance of plants, their resistance to diseases and pests.
How to plant brussels sprouts?
Brussels sprouts can be grown in two ways - seedlings or sowing seeds in open ground. Each method has its pros and cons, you have to choose a landing option taking into account the climatic features of the region and your own preferences.
Seeds
Sowing seeds in open ground is used less often than seedling method. It is beneficial for mass cultivation, as it avoids two stages at once - picking and transplanting into open ground. But the crop, with this method, is obtained later.
Sow seeds quite early - in March-April. They focus on the temperature of the soil - it should warm up to + 10-15 ° C. Seeding in open ground:
- On the prepared beds, make shallow rows or holes - for planting in the nesting manner. Planting depth - not more than 1.2 cm. The distance between adjacent seeds is 15 cm.
- Cover the crops with film - so that the seeds begin to grow faster.
- When the seeds sprout, thrive them by choosing the strongest sprout. Tear out the rest so that the cabbage has room for development. Between adjacent plants should be 50 cm.
Early and mid-ripening varieties with a growing season of not more than 120 days are sown in open ground.
Seedlings
Any kind of cabbage does not tolerate transplantation, and Brussels sprouts are no exception. Therefore, seedlings are grown in separate glasses - so that when planting in the soil just to transfer a lump of earth with roots into a prepared hole - this reduces stress for the plant.
For growing seedlings use special cassettes or glasses. The capacity for one seedling is 200 ml. The procedure for growing seedlings:
- Fill any selected container - cassettes, glasses or seedlings with a substrate. If boxes are used, make seed furrows in the soil. The depth of the rows or holes is 1 cm.
- Water the soil with warm water.
- Sow the seeds, placing them at intervals of 0.5-1 cm.
- Sprinkle the seeds with soil and gently compact it.
- Cover the crops with transparent material - glass or film.
- Put the containers with crops in a warm place - to get sprouts faster.
- After emergence shoots remove a film or glass. Rearrange the seedlings closer to the light. The optimum day temperature is + 20 ° C, night - not lower than + 16-18 ° C. Such a temperature regime will not allow seedlings to stretch beyond measure.
- Take care of the seedlings according to the following plan:
- Water as the soil dries. Too frequent watering seedlings of "Brussels" are contraindicated. Check the humidity at a depth of 1-1.5 cm. It is advisable to water the seedlings through a strainer - so that the soil does not erode.
- For prevention of a black leg, pour seedlings with Fitosporin or a pink solution of potassium permanganate. Also, the soil can be sprinkled with wood ash, with colloidal sulfur previously added to it.
- If you have sown seeds in common containers, and not in separate glasses, there is yet another stage - picking. Its essence is seating in separate containers. Dive seedlings after the appearance of the first true leaves. You will need a small peg - with its help, take out the grown seedlings - get them together with a lump of earth and pinch the root.
Deepen the seedlings to the first true leaves - if the seedlings are planted deeper, they can rot the stems. - Water the dipped seedlings well and put in the shade. The optimum air temperature is 20 ° C. When seedling growth is activated, place them in the light. But it should be cool here - no more than + 16-18 ° C. Such conditions contribute to the formation of a strong root system.
- When the daytime temperature reaches + 10 ° C, begin hardening seedlings from 5-10 minutes, take out the seedlings at noon. When the seedlings get used to the sun, it will be possible to take it out in the morning, and keep it there until 16-17 hours.
Seedlings cannot be overexposed - too large seedlings take root worse, grow slower and yield smaller yields. Seedlings are planted when 3 or 4 true leaves appear on it. Seedlings should be completely healthy, dark green.
After 2-3 true leaves appear, feed the seedlings with Kemira-Lux solution (1–2 g is dissolved in 1 liter of water). Try not to spill liquid onto the leaves. For the second time, feed the seedlings 1.5-2 weeks before planting in open ground - add a solution of boric acid and copper sulfate (for 10 liters of water take one and the other at the tip of the knife).
The procedure for planting seedlings in open ground:
- For 4-5 days, stop watering the seedlings.
- When the soil warms up to + 10 ° C, seedlings are planted in prepared wells. Plant according to the scheme 60x40-50 cm (between rows - 60 cm, between plants - 40-50 cm).
- Transplant the seedlings into the holes by the method of transshipment - remove the roots with a lump of earth.
- Place the seedling in the holes so that the roots are comfortably located in it. The depth of the hole should be slightly larger than the length of the roots. It is better for the stems to be somewhat deepened than the roots being on the surface.
- Tamp the soil carefully so that no air remains between the roots.
- Pour seedlings abundantly.
We offer you to watch a video story of the gardener about how she grew Brussels sprouts in seedlings:
Care Features
Caring for Brussels sprouts is not difficult - standard agricultural techniques are used. But there are still differences with white cabbage - it is recommended to spud and pinch the “Brussels”.
How to water?
Soil moisture is maintained at 80%. Watering rules for Brussels sprouts:
- Watering the planting little by little, trying not to fill the growth point.
- When the planted seedlings take root and begin to grow, the plants are watered at the rate of 30 liters per 1 sq. m
- To water the cabbage, furrows are made between the rows - water is poured into them, and when the water is absorbed, they are sprinkled with soil.
- During the growth period, planting is watered several times. Moisturizing during heading is especially important. At high temperatures, the frequency of watering increases - cabbage is watered every 10 days.
- Overmoistening of cabbage is unacceptable - root rot may appear.
Irrigation rates for Brussels sprouts:
- before the head of cabbage - 30-35 liters per 1 square. m;
- after the appearance of heads of cabbage - 40-45 liters per 1 square. m
What and when to feed?
If the necessary fertilizers are introduced before planting, then you can not feed the cabbage during the growth and development of the fruit. But if the soil is poor or sandy, it is recommended to carry out a couple of supporting top dressing.
The composition and timing of feeding:
Top-up period | Top dressing |
Half a month after planting in the ground. The plant starts growing, a new leaf appears. | Nitroammofoska. For one plant - 1/2 tsp. |
Heads started to form. | In a bucket of water, potassium sulfate and superphosphate are dissolved - 25 g each, and nitroammophos - one tablespoon. |
Top dressing is carried out on moist soil - so as not to burn the leaves and root system. Feeding planting, the soil is slightly moistened.
Turning
This simple agricultural technique allows you to increase the size and weight of the heads of cabbage growing on the stem of Brussels sprouts. It consists in shortening the shoots. Pinch the tops when the stem reaches a height of 60-70 cm. After pinching, the influx of nutrients to the growing heads of cabbage is activated - their growth and development is accelerated.
Turning is carried out no later than August. Only late-ripening varieties and hybrids are subjected to it.
Hilling and loosening the soil
When water is absorbed, the soil is loosened - this prevents the formation of a crust, which prevents the penetration of air to the root system. It is recommended to spud cabbage several times during the growing season - they dig up the earth with a thick layer, trying not to sprinkle the heads of cabbage located below.
It is recommended to mulch the planting of Brussels sprouts - this agricultural technique prevents the growth of weeds and the evaporation of moisture from the soil. As mulch, grass, straw or a black film is used.
Pre-Harvest Care
About a week before the start of the harvest, all leaves are removed from the cabbage. If the plants ripen together, the foliage is torn off at one time. When the leaves are broken, they try not to damage the mini heads of cabbage. If the plants do not mature together, then the procedure is carried out 2-3 times, tearing the leaves only from those plants that are preparing for harvest.
The main diseases and pests of Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts are affected by the same diseases as other vegetables from the cruciferous family. The most common diseases:
- rot is white and dry;
- keel;
- blackleg;
- spotting black and annular;
- mucosal and vascular bacteriosis;
- mosaic;
- downy mildew.
Most often, aphids, moths, cabbage fly, and also:
- cruciferous flea;
- cabbage leaf beetle;
- flea - wavy and black;
- cabbage whitewash;
- firebox;
- rape and cabbage bug;
- the bear
- scoop;
- wireworm;
- canola beetle.
How to deal with diseases and pests of cabbage, read here.
These diseases and pests can significantly spoil the yield of Brussels sprouts. If you do not take measures, you can completely remain without a crop. To prevent the defeat of cabbage, it is treated with folk remedies. If there is no result, you have to apply - chemical preparations for diseases and pests, respectively.
Prevention is cheaper than dealing with the consequences, so it makes sense to carry out preventive measures. Brussels sprout protection strategy:
- Compliance with crop rotation.
- Cleaning from beds of plant residues.
- Regular weed removal.
- The use of a combination of organic and mineral fertilizing. You can not neglect the latter limited to one organic.
- At the first manifestations of the disease, the plant is torn out, and the soil is watered with a solution of potassium permanganate.
- Sprinkling the beds with tobacco spruce and woody evil.
- If pest attacks are observed, they are sprayed with “Decis”, “Karate”, “Corsair”, “Rovikurt”, “Ambush” and others.
- If fungal diseases appear, cabbage is sprayed with “Fundazol”, “Quadrice”, “Skor”, “Topaz” and others.
Sick plants are prohibited from composting - they must be burned immediately.
When to start harvesting?
Crops begin to be harvested when the small heads of Brussels sprouts are fully ripe. Maturity is determined by the following criteria:
- the value reaches a maximum of 1.8-2 cm in diameter;
- heads of cabbage acquire a shine characteristic of ripe fruits;
- the leaf at the base turns yellow.
Features of harvesting early and late varieties:
- Early and early middle. Cleaned in September-October. Cleaned in one go, as their heads ripen at the same time. Stalks can be cut down at the base, and stored, so that the fruits can be picked up later.
- Medium late and late. This category of varieties is removed in 2 or 3 sets. Before harvesting, the plants are torn off the leaves - only from the side on which to head out the cabbage. When harvesting in several stages, heads of cabbage are cut, starting from the bottom of the stem.
Brussels sprouts storage
Brussels sprouts can be stored in their entirety, consuming its head of cabbage as needed. The plant must be dug up until the freezing begins, and dug with sand in the basement and greenhouse. Drop cabbage under a slight slope. Also, the stems with the fruits, folded in plastic bags, are stored in the refrigerator,
Frozen Brussels sprouts stored 3-4 months.
Having folded the harvest in boxes, put them in a cool place. If you provide them with a temperature of 0 ° C, they retain freshness for up to 1.5 months. And if you freeze them, then they will retain their qualities all winter. Brussels sprouts are recommended to be stored at 0 ° C and at 95% humidity. Under such conditions, cabbage is stored for 2-2.5 months.
Due to the peculiarities of cultivation, Brussels sprouts have not yet received proper distribution among our vegetable growers and gardeners. But with the advent of new varieties and hybrids - more productive and less demanding, the demand for this crop will grow. This vegetable has so many virtues that neglecting it is simply unforgivable.
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