Table of contents:

Kohlrabi: Watering And Feeding, Growing In Protected Ground
Kohlrabi: Watering And Feeding, Growing In Protected Ground

Video: Kohlrabi: Watering And Feeding, Growing In Protected Ground

Video: Kohlrabi: Watering And Feeding, Growing In Protected Ground
Video: Growing Kohlrabi in Containers [ON BALCONY] Seed to Harvest 2024, March
Anonim

Read the previous part. ← Kohlrabi: nutritional value, seedling and non-seedling growing method

Watering and feeding kohlrabi

kohlrabi cabbage
kohlrabi cabbage

Kohlrabi is very responsive to soil loosening and watering. Systematic loosening of the soil, timely watering accelerate the growth of plants, have a beneficial effect on the size of the yield and the quality of the stems.

Lack of moisture in the soil causes a growth retardation in kohlrabi, premature lignification of stems, and also causes the flowering of plants, especially in early-maturing varieties. The most effective method for obtaining high quality stems, especially on light soils, is irrigation.

Surface irrigation of the soil has a beneficial effect on the development of the root system and on the quality of root crops. Of all the methods of watering for kohlrabi, sprinkling is preferable: it provides the formation of stems with a more delicate pulp. Loosening reduces the evaporation of moisture from the soil, provides better gas exchange in it, and contributes to the destruction of weeds.

Gardener's guide

Plant nurseries Stores of goods for summer cottages Landscape design studios

The more often the soil is loosened, the faster and better the plants develop. In early summer, when the plants are deficient in moisture, it is advisable to loosen it after each rain or watering in order to retain moisture in the soil. During the growing period, kohlrabi is fed once with mineral fertilizers at the rate of: 5-10 g of ammonium nitrate and 7-10 g of potassium chloride per 1 m². Good results are obtained by feeding with a solution of slurry (1 part of slurry for 3-4 parts of water) or poultry droppings (1 part of droppings for 8-10 parts of water). Cabbage aphids, cabbage fly, cabbage scoop cause great harm to kohlrabi plants. The same methods of struggle are used against them as against pests of white cabbage. Kohlrabi is not recommended to huddle, because this causes a delay in the growth of stem crops and deteriorates their quality.

When and how to harvest kohlrabi

Kohlrabi is consumed at a young age, when the thickened part of its stem has a diameter of no more than 6-10 cm in early varieties. Old stems become coarse and unsuitable for food. Kohlrabi is harvested by cutting off the stems directly at the very base. At the same time, cut off all the leaves, with the exception of two or three small apical ones. Tearing off the leaves is not recommended, as this not only impairs the appearance of the crop, but also leads to its rapid deterioration. Young leaves of early varieties can be used for food. Late varieties are harvested before the onset of persistent severe cold weather in September or in the first half of October. They can be up to 15-25 cm in diameter. Cut off the leaves of cut stems, leaving petioles 2-4 cm long. Kohlrabi plants intended for long-term storage are best harvested together with the roots. From 1 m2 you can get 4-5 kg of kohlrabi.

Growing kohlrabi in protected ground

kohlrabi cabbage
kohlrabi cabbage

Kohlrabi cabbage can be successfully grown in greenhouses, hotbeds, small-sized film shelters. In greenhouses, kohlrabi can be grown as the main crop by the first turn before a cucumber or tomato, or as a sealant. It should be remembered that growing kohlrabi together with cucumbers leads to the formation of an elongated stalk. The reason for this is the high temperature that needs to be maintained for the cucumber. Kohlrabi needs a lower temperature. When grown in greenhouses, special attention should be paid to the quality of seedlings.

Usually, it takes 8-10 weeks from planting seedlings to consumer ripeness of kohlrabi. From greenhouses, the kohlrabi harvest can be obtained at the end of May. Seedlings are planted in cold greenhouses or under film shelters in late March - early April at a distance of 20x20 cm. At night and in cold weather, the plants are additionally covered with film or lutrasil. Kohlrabi is often watered in protected ground, but in moderation, greenhouses and film shelters should be well ventilated.

You can plant kohlrabi plants in a greenhouse for growing in the fall. To do this, they are first grown in the open field. In late June - early July, seeds are sown directly on the beds, as well as when growing it for food purposes. Before the onset of frost, the plants are dug up with a lump of earth and immediately transplanted into the soil of a greenhouse or greenhouse, while preventing the suspension of plant growth. At the onset of frost, greenhouses are insulated, in warm weather they are opened. In greenhouses, plants are additionally covered with film or lutrasil, which are removed when warm weather sets in. In October, the stems will reach economic ripeness. Kohlrabi is well stored at 0 … + 1 ° С and air humidity 90-95%.

Read the next part. Kohlrabi recipes →

Recommended: