How to grow seedlings of early cabbage at home. Agricultural technology for growing strong seedlings of cabbage at home

Cabbage seedlings at home

seedlings early cabbage many people want to grow at home - after all, there is nothing more pleasant than your own early harvest. AT early dates you can grow all kinds of cabbage - not only white cabbage, cauliflower, but also broccoli, etc. So it's just a matter of your diligence and desire. Today I will tell you some important points in seedling business, this will help you avoid mistakes.

Conditions for growing seedlings of cabbage

by the most important conditions growing quality healthy cabbage seedlings are: humidity, temperature and light. These three components are the basis of your early harvest.

To grow early cabbage, you need to sow the seeds no later than March 20th. It is best to start sowing the first batch of seeds on March 10th, and the next in 5 days. This way you can plant three batches of seedlings. Then the ripening will happen in stages - so it will be easier for you to harvest.

Preparing cabbage seeds for sowing

In order for cabbage seedlings to be powerful, it is necessary to check the seeds for germination.

For better germination, soak cabbage seeds in a special nutrient solution of sodium humate (a teaspoon of fertilizer per liter of water). You will also need to disinfect the seeds - special solutions are suitable for this, for example, Fitosporin, Baktofit.

After these preparatory procedures, you can sow cabbage seeds for seedlings in the soil mixture. It should consist of sand, peat and sod land.

Disinfection of the nutrient mixture

To avoid infection and diseases of seedlings, it is necessary to ignite the soil or at least disinfect it with boiling water (just carefully spill the earth with boiling water).

You can also use a solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection. I do not advise adding humus from the site, otherwise your seedlings may get sick with a "black leg" or some other infection that has settled in the damp earth.

You can make the land more fertile by adding ash, chalk, dolomite and superphosphate. On a bucket of soil, take a tablespoon of these substances and mix thoroughly with the soil.

What containers are suitable for seedlings of cabbage

It is important not to take too deep containers. Containers deeper than 5 cm should not be used.

Sowing cabbage seeds for seedlings

• Before sowing seeds, spill the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate - about 1 gram per 10 liters of water.
• Make grooves to a depth of 1 cm in 3 cm increments. Seeds can be sown 1 cm apart.
• To retain moisture and speed up germination, it is best to cover the container with clear plastic wrap. Then you will see abundant shoots on the 3-4th day. The container should be kept at a temperature of 20-25 degrees.
• When your seedlings give two real leaves, you can pour peat into the aisles.

Very important! In order to prevent cabbage seedlings from stretching, immediately after seed germination, remove the container to a cool and bright place where the air temperature will not be higher than 7-8 degrees.

You can arrange such a "cold greenhouse" on the window, just make sure that the seedlings do not freeze during possible frosts.

Picking seedlings of cabbage

When your cabbage seedlings are 10 days old, you need to make a pick. I advise you to plant seedlings in separate cups with the same mixture that you used for sowing.

You can take peat pots, plastic cups or multi-section seedling cassettes. AT plastic utensils be sure to make holes in the bottom to allow excess water to escape during irrigation.

I do not advise transplanting seedlings into boxes after picking.. Otherwise, when planting it in the ground, you will definitely damage the root system and the seedlings will be more difficult to take root.

The first time after picking seedlings, you need to create it temperature regime 15-18 degrees. After the seedlings take root in a new place, the temperature should be reduced to 10-14 degrees.

Watering should be carried out as it dries warm water with a temperature of about 20 degrees.

About 5-7 days before transplanting into open ground, it is necessary to stop watering.

Hardening seedlings of cabbage

As soon as the seedlings have real leaves, it needs to be hardened off. The hardening procedure consists in lowering the temperature to 4-5 degrees Celsius while simultaneously illuminating with sunlight, for this, the containers are put out for a short time on the street or on the balcony. The first day at 3 o'clock, the second at 5 o'clock, and the third day at 7 o'clock.

Top dressing of cabbage seedlings should be done 2 times - 5-7 days after transplantation and a few days before planting in the ground.

How to protect seedlings from the "black leg"

To begin with, let's look at what affects the diseases of the seedlings of the "black leg". First of all, it is excessive watering, fever, small amount of light. You can prevent this disease with the help of biological preparations Baktofit, Fitosporin, etc.

When your seedlings have 5-6 leaves and are 18-20 cm tall, you can start planting them in the ground. This can be done in Central Russia from late April to early May.

Video - the secrets of sowing cabbage for seedlings

Video - sowing early cabbage for seedlings

Home-grown cabbage seedlings will allow you to get much faster and best harvest. Your vegetables from your garden are much more valuable in terms of nutrition and energy!

Cabbage occupies not the last place on suburban area every gardener. This is due to the fact that the vegetable is suitable not only for making vitamin salads, but is also used in many other dishes. To grow strong seedlings, you need to familiarize yourself with some rules and recommendations for planting, caring for and growing cabbage seedlings at home.

Basic rules for planting cabbage for seedlings: how to sow at home

In order for the seedlings to turn out strong and healthy, it is necessary to sow accordingly, and first properly prepare the seeds, containers and soil, and of course it is very important to choose optimal timing. Only strict adherence to the recommendations will help to avoid serious mistakes that can negatively affect the growth and development of cabbage seedlings in the future.

When to sow seeds: optimal sowing time

Note! The site already has a detailed article about, including favorable days for landing in 2019 according to the lunar calendar.

Seed preparation before sowing: pre-sowingtreatment

Before planting cabbage seeds, it is necessary to prepare them. This procedure is intended for both self-collected seed and purchased seed. This requires initially conducting a visual selection, sifting out all damaged specimens, as well as those that are significantly larger or smaller than the bulk.

Then it is recommended to process (pickling) cabbage seeds from pathogens that may persist on the outer shell. To do this, they must first be soaked in warm water with the addition of potassium permanganate at a temperature of 40-50 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Can be held disinfection using the drug.

For stimulation of growth processes and increase in percentage of germination it is recommended to soak with a solution "Epin"(according to instructions) or "Zircon"(according to instructions). After that, the seeds must be immediately planted in the ground.

And even better germinate cabbage seeds on cotton pads. In 2-4 days, the seeds will hatch, and it will be possible to plant them in the ground.

Important! If, when buying cabbage seeds, they are painted in different colors (it is more correct to call them coated, granulated or glazed), then this indicates that the manufacturer has already taken care of them in advance and spent a full seedbed preparation. Therefore, no action is required with them. Landing should be done dry.

Video: soaking cabbage seeds

What soil to plant

Important! For planting, you can not take the soil from the site where cruciferous crops (rutabaga, turnip, radish, horseradish) grew, as they have common diseases.

Sowing cabbage seeds must be carried out in a light and nutritious substrate, which will enable the plants to fully develop. The best option would be to buy ready ground for seedlings of cabbage, where the composition of the soil is completely balanced and has a neutral level of acidity in the range of 6.5-7 pH.

You can also prepare the necessary soil for planting cabbage yourself by mixing the following components:

Important! Should not be applied to the ground nitrogen fertilizers and humus, as this can lead to excessive growth of the above-ground part and further lodging of seedlings.

In addition, it is recommended to disinfect the substrate from pathogens of fungal diseases before planting cabbage. To do this, a few days before sowing, it is necessary to shed the soil with a working solution of the drug (according to the instructions) or a rich pink infusion of potassium permanganate.

And then it is desirable to sift the substrate and carefully loosen it in order to increase its air and moisture permeability.

landing tanks

For planting cabbage for seedlings, you can use wooden or plastic boxes and pallets, but there are also other containers that you should pay attention to. To understand their advantages and disadvantages, you should familiarize yourself with them in advance.

Important! The most important thing is that there are drainage holes at the bottom of the landing container.

• Containers made of wood or plastic. This type of container has been used for planting seeds for a very long time due to its ease of use. Wooden structures can be completely built independently, without extra costs. They are suitable for both sowing and picking seedlings in the future. The disadvantage of containers is that the root system can be damaged during transplantation. It is also impossible to get one plant without affecting the neighboring one. In addition, these structures are quite heavy.
• Plastic cups. They are also very popular with gardeners due to their low cost and reusable use. In addition, sowing in such containers allows you to extract plants without damaging the roots, which reduces stress during transplantation. But this type of container has a number of disadvantages. The cups do not have drainage holes, so you need to make them yourself, and you also need to purchase additional trays to water the plants. In addition to all this, they do not have stability and need additional devices when transporting seedlings to their summer cottage.

100-200 ml cups will be enough.

• Not so long ago, a type of landing tank appeared. Often sold at the same time with a pallet and a lid, which makes it easier for the gardener. It is a separate cell connected into a single whole, which allows you to plant plants immediately separately. They have drainage holes and are easily cut with scissors if necessary. When transplanting, the root system is not damaged. The disadvantage is that they break easily and are inconvenient during further transportation of seedlings.

• Peat tablets. The best option for growing seedlings, allowing you to grow strong seedlings with a well-developed root system. For planting, it is necessary to soak the tablets for 7 minutes in water until completely swollen. They are nutritious compressed peat, placed in a special shell, which completely dissolves when planted in the ground. This allows you to land in the ground without damaging the root. The disadvantage is high price and the need for frequent watering, as the moisture from the substrate evaporates quickly. Transportation will require additional equipment.

By the way! Cabbage can be sown for seedlings and in banks For more information about this method, see the following video:

What scheme to follow when landing

Planting should be carried out taking into account the fact that plants will need free space in the future for full development. Therefore, you should not thicken the crops too much.

Advice! It makes sense to sow thicker only in order to leave the strongest sprouts later. And they need not be pulled out, but cut off with scissors.

If you are going to dive, then you need to place the seeds in a common container at a distance of 1.5-2 cm from each other and with a row spacing of 3-4 cm.

And if you plant the seeds in a common container at a distance of 5-10 cm in a checkerboard pattern, then seedlings can be grown without picking.

Of course, it is ideal to sow immediately in separate containers so as not to carry out a pick in the future, because cabbage does not really like it, especially cauliflower.

Important! The thickening of crops is the cause of weak and elongated seedlings cabbage, and can also cause the development of various diseases.

Video: we prepare seeds and sow cabbage for seedlings

Immediate fit

When planting cabbage seeds for seedlings, it is necessary to consistently perform actions. This will help prevent serious blunders that can negatively affect the plants in the future.

Step-by-step instruction sowing cabbage seeds for seedlings:

• Pour the prepared substrate into the planting containers (2/3).
• Water it abundantly and wait until the water is completely absorbed and the soil settles.
• Make rows 1 cm deep and spread the seeds.
• Sprinkle with earth on top.
• Moisten the top of the substrate with a spray bottle.
• Cover with a transparent lid or film to keep the moisture inside.
• Put the containers on the window and ensure the temperature of the content is up to + 18 ... + 22 degrees (less for white cabbage, more for color).

Video: a proven method of sowing cabbage for seedlings (white cabbage)

Note! Serious differences in sowing and growing various kinds there is no cabbage, but there are some small nuances, especially cauliflower (it is more thermophilic).

You might want to watch the following videos:

Video: especially growing and sowing Beijing cabbage for seedlings

Video: sowing and growing cauliflower seedlings - the subtleties of the process

Features of further care and cultivation of seedlings of cabbage

To grow healthy seedlings cabbage at home, you need to create optimal conditions. Otherwise, the seedlings will have an unsightly pale appearance.

Temperature regime

Remember! Cabbage is a cold-resistant plant. The only exception is cauliflower: it needs more room conditions but also too high temperatures she can't stand it.

As soon as the cabbage seedlings hatch and friendly shoots appear, the temperature of the content must be set in this range ( recommended for white cabbage and other types of cabbage, except for cauliflower ): during the day - + 14-18 degrees, and at night - + 8-12 degrees. This mode will help to restrain the excessive growth of the above-ground part (prevent it from stretching) and will allow you to build up the root system.

Therefore, it is advisable to take containers with seedlings to a balcony or loggia. Or, if you only have a window sill, then slightly open the windows, setting them to the winter ventilation mode.

In general, as a rule, trays with cabbage seedlings are placed in a greenhouse.

And here is the seedling cauliflower does not tolerate low temperatures, so for her successful cultivation the temperature both during the day and at night should be 4-6 degrees higher, i.e. during the day - + 18-22 degrees, at night - + 14-18 degrees.

Interesting! Cauliflower really happens different colors, but it got its name not because of this, but because we eat exactly the flowers (tightly pressed buds) of this plant, and not the leaves.

Lighting

Cabbage is a photophilous crop, so any slight dimming can lead to the death of seedlings. For the full growth of cabbage seedlings, daylight hours should be within 12-15 hours.

Planting containers with seedlings should be placed on the southern windowsill, or at least in the southwest or southeast. And in the evening or morning hours, if possible, provide backlighting phytolamps.

Watering and humidity

Watering cabbage planted on seedlings should be carried out as the topsoil dries up, avoiding overflow, as well as drying out of the roots. In this case, water should not fall on the leaves.

Note! It is strictly forbidden to water cabbage seedlings with cold water, only warm or at least room temperature. The optimal water for irrigation is rain or melt water. Will go for watering cabbage and ordinary running water, passed through the filter and settled for 24-48 hours at home at room temperature.

top dressing

In order for cabbage seedlings to be strong and healthy, fertilizers must be applied. This will help her to develop more actively and fully.

However, if you initially prepared nutrient soil (with humus or compost, wood ash), then in principle no additional top dressing is required. Of course, if the appearance of the plants does not require otherwise.

Feeding cabbage seedlings next order:

• at the stage of appearance of 2 cotyledon leaves (7-10 days after germination);
• 10-14 days after the first (in the phase of 2 true leaves);
• 10-14 days before planting in open ground.

By the way! If you grow with a pick, then the first top dressing should be done 7-14 days after it has been carried out.

First feeding You can do yeast infusion. Dissolve 10 grams of dry yeast in 1 liter of water, add 3-4 tbsp. tablespoons of sugar, let it brew for 4-6 hours and pour under the root.

The second top dressing should contain lots of nitrogen. Let's say you can pour herbal infusion (for example, from nettle) or use mineral fertilizers(For example, ammonium nitrate or urea).

You also don’t want to bother, then it is recommended to use cabbage seedlings to feed complex mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in equal proportions. Or prepare such top dressing from different fertilizers, for example, taking 3-4 g of urea, 3-4 g of superphosphate and 3 g of potassium sulfate per 1 liter.

Video: how to care for cabbage shoots

Picking seedlings of cabbage

The picking procedure involves planting plants in separate and more spacious containers.

A pick of cabbage seedlings is needed only if the sowing of seeds was carried out in one common container and the seedlings began to run out of space. In general, cabbage does not like picking very much, because. the procedure causes severe stress for the root system of the plant.

When to carry out picking cabbage? The main condition is the appearance of 2 true leaves in the seedlings.

When picking, cabbage seedlings should be deepened to the first pair of cotyledon leaves in order to form a strong root system.

Immediately after picking, for a couple of days, it is recommended to transfer the seedlings to a warmer room with an air temperature of +18..+22 degrees. This will make it easier for seedlings to get used to (more precisely, to recover) and take root in new conditions.

Video: how to dive seedlings of cabbage

About picking cabbage when growing seedlings in a greenhouse see the following video:

Problems in growing cabbage seedlings

Sometimes the most harmless mistakes in caring for seedlings lead to the appearance of diseases: overflow, lack of lighting, elevated temperature. The most common problems when growing cabbage are:

• Cabbage seedlings turn yellow. There may be several reasons. So, the leaves may turn yellow due to deficiencies in the soil of elements such as phosphorus (then the leaves turn yellow on the underside and may acquire a red-violet hue), potassium (the tips of the leaves turn yellow), iron (they turn yellow throughout the base). Yellowness can also appear from excessive nutrition - an overdose of fertilizers. To correct such situations, the earth should be shed with water or completely transplanted into new soil.

• At the seedlings of cabbage leaves curly. Typically, this occurs due to bright sun on the window and from waterlogging of the soil combined with the dryness of the air in the room. With good humidity and moderate temperature, curly hair should go away. You can additionally feed with humic fertilizers, for example, Gumi, Potassium Humate, etc.
• Cabbage seedlings are rotting. As a rule, rotting is caused due to the appearance of seedlings black leg. In the affected seedling, it first darkens and rots. Bottom part stem, then a constriction is formed at this place, the plant dies and lies down. To prevent such an outcome, it is necessary to first disinfect the soil. If this was not done or the disease still appeared, then it is worth removing all infected seedlings, and shedding the earth with a solution of potassium permanganate (3-4 g per 10 liters of water), after which the seedlings should not be watered for a week.

• Cabbage seedlings are stretched. The main reasons are insufficient daylight hours and incorrect temperature conditions. But seedlings can stretch even when good lighting if the planting density is too high, due to which not all plants get enough light. Naturally, without the recommended temperature regime, the normal development of seedlings should not be expected.

• Other diseases. In addition to the black leg, seedlings can be affected phomosis (dry rot), clubroot and many other very dangerous and destructive diseases.

To prevent the occurrence of these problems and diseases of seedlings, it is enough to follow all the recommendations for processing seeds and soil before planting, as well as to properly care for plantings.

Video: prevention and treatment of cabbage seedling diseases

Terms of planting seedlings of cabbage in open ground and greenhouse

Advice! 10-14 weeks before planting cabbage in open ground, seedlings should harden- first, just open the window in the room for a couple of hours, and then take it out to the greenhouse for 3-4 hours. In the last days before planting in the garden, containers can be left directly in the garden (if the weather allows).

Planting cabbage seedlings in open ground or a greenhouse should be carried out when the seedlings have 3-6 true leaves. Cabbage can survive small frosts, so you should not wait until they pass, but plant as soon as it warms up to plus values.

Video: planting cabbage seedlings in open ground

Sowing cabbage for seedlings is not very popular, because you can use ready-made planting material, which is supplied by specialized farms. However, growing cabbage seedlings at home allows you to get strong and hardened plants that are easily adapted when transplanted. In this article - all the subtleties of caring for seedlings of cabbage, to help gardeners - video.

Planting cabbage for seedlings with your own hands

To obtain healthy and strong cabbage seedlings, it is very important to sow the seeds on time. seedling way it is allowed to grow absolutely all varieties of cabbage, including white cabbage; kohlrabi; savoy; Brussels; Beijing; redhead; color.

The timing of sowing seeds for obtaining an early, medium or late harvest, different ones are selected:

• Early cabbage - sowing seedlings begins in the period from March 15 to March 20.
• Mid-season varieties are sown for seedlings from March 30 to April 10.
• Late varieties - growing seedlings from seeds is carried out from April 25 to May 10, the second sowing, to obtain a crop for winter storage are held in the first half of June.

cabbage sprouts

Soil preparation

For sowing cabbage seeds, it is necessary to carefully prepare the soil, the basis of which is peat with the addition of coarse sand or rotted sawdust, at the rate of up to 1/3 of the volume of harvested peat. For about 2 hours, the peat mixture with sawdust is steamed, which helps to save young cabbage seedlings from the development of fungal, viral and bacterial infections.

The mixture is immediately refilled organic fertilizers that stimulate the growth of seedlings. It is useful to add 1 cup of ash and 0.3 kg of dolomite flour to the soil for seedlings per 1 bucket of soil mixture.

Containers for growing cabbage seedlings

Advice! Cabbage quickly develops a strong root system when grown in separate containers, so it is best to sow in individual cups (peat ones are ideal).

Of course, cabbage seeds of any variety are distinguished by good germination when grown in boxes or cassettes, while transplanting seedlings does not cause any difficulties - cabbage has a high survival rate when transplanted into garden beds.

Sowing in individual containers allows you to dose the consumption of seed material, reduces losses finished seedlings when thinning.

The depth of embedding cabbage seeds in the soil is up to 1.5 cm. When sowing in boxes or greenhouse beds - a 3x3 scheme.

Seeds must be pre-treated before planting.

Preparing cabbage seeds for sowing

The quality of the grown with my own hands cabbage directly depends on the selected seed material.

Advice! Remove damaged seeds when carrying out preparatory activities for seed preparation.

Some agrotechnical measures in preparing cabbage seeds for sowing will help to obtain high quality hardened seedlings.

• Seed sizing - choose the largest, fullest seeds before sowing.
• Disinfection of planting material - prepare a bowl with hot water(t up to 50C). Dip the selected seeds in water for 20 minutes. Quickly cool the seed in cold water and soak for 12 hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Cabbage seeds sprouted, what to do next? Proper care of seedlings

The main requirement for caring for young cabbage seedlings is to ensure constant moisture. At the same time, it is worth carrying out watering in doses so as not to cause waterlogging of the soil. Constant overflow of plantings can provoke a sharp surge in fungal diseases.

The temperature regime when growing seedlings is maintained in the range of 20-22 C during the daytime, 6-9 C is enough at night, because cabbage is a cold-resistant crop and a sharp drop in temperature at night will not negatively affect the development of seedlings. Temperature drops are even useful for young plants - seedlings are less stretched.

Advice. Airing plantings is a mandatory requirement when growing cabbage from seeds. tributary fresh air will help harden off seedlings and protect plants from diseases.

Thinning - When growing seedlings in a bed or boxes, it is worth thinning, leaving the strongest plants.

The introduction of the necessary fertilizers, the timing of top dressing

The nutrient soil for growing seedlings is already filled with all the necessary fertilizers that nourish the plant in the first days of life.

Approximately 2 weeks after germination, young seedlings are fertilized for the first time, for which NPK complex fertilizer is used at a ratio of 2-4-2 grams per 1 liter of water.

The second top dressing is carried out by the complex nutrients in the same proportions, only the fertilizer solution is prepared more saturated - by 0.5 liters of water. The timing of top dressing is 1 month from the date of sowing the seeds.

For the third top dressing, which is carried out 1-2 weeks before planting seedlings in the garden, a complex fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) is taken in a ratio of 3:5:8 (dilution in one liter of water).

Important! If the seedlings have pale leaves and weak stems, stretch out, additional manure is required.

Picking cabbage seedlings when propagating by seeds at home

Thickened plantings of cabbage seedlings do not allow plants to develop correctly and harmoniously. In this case, it turns out weak seedling with elongated pale leaves, which adapts for a long time when transplanted into open ground, lingers in development and gives a low yield.

It is also necessary to dive cabbage seedlings in order to prevent the development infectious diseases that occur during crowded landings. 3 weeks after sowing, seedlings are subject to picking.

To make it easier to transplant seedlings into the ground, plant them in separate peat pots.

Cabbage seedlings - diseases and pests

The greatest danger to cabbage seedlings is improper watering. When overflowing, weakened plants are oppressed, stop growing, but what causes the greatest concern is the development of the “black leg” disease. The stalk of a cabbage seedling turns black in the middle and the whole plant dies. Fungal infection gets worse improper watering, crowded landings and poor ventilation. For treatment, it is necessary to shed containers with cabbage seedlings with a solution of foundationol.

Young plants can be attacked by pests, especially aphids. Sucking juices from young seedlings, aphids spread viral infections who are not cured. Having found aphids on plants, it is necessary to treat the plantings from the pest as soon as possible with the help of special preparations.

Cabbage is harmed by many insects: cabbage fly, cruciferous flea, scoops - all these pests are also dangerous for young seedlings. Pests should be dealt with in a timely manner, using appropriate means.

Depending on the ripening period of cabbage, the timing of its sowing also differs - remember this.

2. Buying quality seeds

Not least, the quality of the seedlings, and hence the yield of cabbage, will depend on the seeds. Therefore, get a good seed.

How to buy seeds correctly so as not to purchase expired, lost their germination due to improper storage or generally counterfeit seed is described in detail in the publications:

3. Preparing the right soil mix

To grow strong seedlings of cabbage, you need to properly prepare a nutritious soil mixture. Ideally, the soil for cabbage seedlings should be prepared in the fall, but if for some reason you did not have time to do this, you can start compiling right now. Mix 1 part of soddy soil and humus, add a little ash (10 tablespoons for every 10 kg of soil) and mix the substrate well. In this case, the ash will be a source of not only micro and macro elements, but also an excellent antiseptic that can prevent the appearance of a black leg on cabbage seedlings.

Of course, you can prepare any other nutritious soil mixture - not only based on soddy land, but also, for example. The main thing is that the resulting soil is breathable and fertile. And also, when preparing the soil mixture for cabbage seedlings, never use garden soil on which cruciferous crops were previously grown: it probably contains infections characteristic of cabbage, and the likelihood of getting seedling diseases increases significantly.

And in this video, our expert Tatyana shares her experience in compiling soil for seedlings:

As you can see, it is really undesirable to take land from the garden.

Do you want to know more about the intricacies of making soil mixtures for seedlings? Then read these articles:

4. Choosing the optimal time for sowing cabbage seedlings

It makes no sense to sow cabbage seedlings in early January - it's too early, or at the end of May - it's too late. Every gardener knows this common truth. But, although we know the approximate dates for sowing seeds, sometimes it can be quite difficult to determine a specific date. Let's talk about everything in order.

Remember:

• cabbage of early varieties should be sown for seedlings from the beginning of March until about the 25th-28th day of the month,
• seeds of medium varieties can be sown approximately from March 25 to April 25,
• well, cabbage late varieties- from the beginning to the 20th of April.

If such dates for sowing cabbage seeds seem too vague and incomprehensible to you, then you will appreciate the recommendations from the article - it describes an algorithm that helps you calculate the optimal sowing dates specifically for your conditions.

Well, I will give one more hint: you can determine the time for sowing cabbage for seedlings based on the fact that about 10 days pass from the time of sowing the seeds to the emergence of seedlings (plus or minus a couple of days), and from the emergence of seedlings to the time of planting, about 50-55 days. Based on this, it is necessary to sow cabbage for seedlings 60-65 days before the desired planting in the ground.

Thanks to simple manipulations, you can practically eliminate dangerous cabbage diseases (such as, and so on) already in the seedling period, which means you will be able to grow healthy and strong seedlings.

If you have purchased already processed seeds (this should be indicated on the package), it will be enough just to warm them up for 20 minutes in hot water(at a temperature of about +50 °C). After warming up the seeds, cool them for 5 minutes in cool water - this way you will increase the resistance of cabbage to various fungal diseases. Just keep in mind: not all seeds processed by the manufacturer can be moistened! For some species, this is completely unacceptable, therefore, in order not to be mistaken, read about which ones are used and what are their features.

6. Proper seeding

It would seem that there is nothing to bother: I bought the seeds, prepared the soil mixture and go ahead - this as you like. Not certainly in that way. In order for the cabbage seedlings to be strong and stocky, it is better to grow it with - only then the volume of its roots will be large, the seedlings themselves will grow more squat and strong, and it will be easier to transfer the transplant to permanent place. How to sow cabbage correctly?

Seeds of early cabbage should be sown in a tray or planter. Before sowing, we water the soil well, and we try not to moisten it more until shoots appear - this will prevent seedling disease. Why water the soil before sowing abundantly? The thing is that for germination, cabbage seeds need a lot of water - about 50% of their weight.

When shoots appear, they need to be left, leaving each a feeding area of ​​​​approximately 2x2 cm. After 2 weeks, when the seedlings have already grown a little, they must be dived, planting according to the 3x3 cm scheme, for example, in cassettes. When diving, do not forget to deepen the stem of the seedlings to the cotyledons! After another half a month, the seedlings need to be transplanted again, but already in pots (peat pots, plastic or paper cups or any other) - ideally, the size of the new container should be 5x5 cm.

Before picking seedlings, it is advisable to treat the cups with a weak (blue in color) solution or any other drug that prevents the appearance of fungal diseases.

If you have no desire to dive cabbage, then it is better to initially sow it in separate pots. When the time comes for planting seedlings in a permanent place, its root system will be of large volume, and due to the fact that the plants grew in separate pots before transplantation, it is almost not injured ( a transplant will turn out).

7. Light for seedlings

In order for cabbage seedlings to grow strong and stocky, it is not enough to plant it correctly - you need to carry it out, because cabbage is not enough for ordinary daylight at home. With the help of an ordinary fluorescent lamp we illuminate the seedlings for about 12-15 hours a day.

8. Timely watering

"Cabbage loves water yes good weather”- this saying-statement is equally true both in relation to the already grown heads of cabbage and in relation to its seedlings.

Cultivation of white cabbage usually begins with the preparation of seedlings. It is almost impossible to grow strong seedlings in a city apartment, it is too hot there, but it is not difficult to do this in greenhouses. It is only necessary to sow the seeds on time and put a little effort into caring for young plants.

Is it necessary to grow cabbage through seedlings

The question of the obligation to grow cabbage seedlings is connected with two points: what kind of cabbage are we talking about, and in what region do we live. The fact is that many late varieties of white cabbage have a life cycle of about six months, or even more. This means that even if the harvest is planned for mid-October, it is necessary to sow the seeds in early April, which is difficult to do directly in the garden in the middle zone. Early varieties stay in the garden for a much shorter time, but if they are sown immediately in a permanent place, then the harvest can no longer be called early.

However, it turns out that even in the southern regions, where March crops in the garden are quite possible, cabbage is often grown through seedlings; However, they do not do it at home. They simply sow the seeds in a garden bed thickly, and then plant them out, that is, they actually grow them through seedlings. What for? The fact is that with a transplant, cabbage heads work out better: a seemingly traumatic operation only benefits the seedlings.

Is it possible not to bother and immediately sow the seeds in the holes in a permanent place, and harvest in the fall? It's possible, they do it too. But often with this simplistic approach, the plants are weaker (they do not develop roots so well), and as a result, the yield is reduced. Thus, it must be recognized that growing white cabbage through the seedling stage is optional, but highly desirable.

When to sow: lunar calendar 2018

You should immediately decide on the order of sowing cabbage seeds different terms maturation. Not everything is clear here, although the logic is there. Seedlings of any variety are planted in a permanent place at the age of 40 to 50 days. If the cabbage is early, then you need to take full advantage of this term and get vitamin products as early as possible. This cabbage will not be stored, heads of cabbage are usually small, not very dense, they are happily eaten in the form of salads. Therefore, early varieties are sown first for seedlings. Usually in middle lane this happens in mid-March, but if there is such an opportunity (southern region or greenhouse), this can be done in February.

Early cabbages have small heads, but the meaning is not in size: the road is a spoon for dinner

Cabbage of late varieties is intended for long-term storage in cellars in fresh. Her heads of cabbage reach ripeness in autumn months, even fall on the beds under slight frosts, which does not bother them at all: they should be put in the cellar as soon as possible. Therefore too early sowing not required. However, based on the length of the growing season, it turns out that the approximate sowing dates for late varieties fall in mid-April.

Late varieties grow in dense heads, stay in the garden for a long time, so they also have to be sown early.

Cabbage of medium ripening is grown for autumn consumption (it is stored worse than late) and pickling, which is usually done in autumn. Therefore, these varieties are harvested in September-October, and in order for it to ripen by this time, seeds can be sown a little later than in the case of late varieties. Sowing dates are around the end of April. Obviously, all the dates mentioned are approximate: in the south they shift somewhat in one direction, and in the conditions of the Urals or Siberia - in the other.

At the end of the twentieth century, a boom began among gardeners associated with the publication different kind sowing calendars associated with life cycle heavenly luminaries. The most popular is the Lunar calendar, which links the favorable and unfavorable days of gardening with the constellation in which the Earth's satellite, the Moon, is located.

There is indisputable evidence that the growth of various crops is differently related to the phases of the moon, but it is difficult to judge how serious this influence is: as a rule, those summer residents who strictly follow the calendars get approximately the same harvest, and those who simply have no time to follow them .

Counts,that the periods of new moon and full moon are forbidden for sowing, transplanting and any other operations with plants. These days, the flora, as it were, freezes and prepares for a change in the lunar phase. If strictly followed Lunar calendar, then in 2018 are allowed next days for sowing cabbage:

• in February - 21, 22, 25, 26;
• in March - 20, 21, 25, 26;
• in April - 18, 21;
• in May - 19, 24.

It would be sad to look at these dates (and they are given in many authoritative sources!). If they are strictly followed, then the most right time: beginning and middle of April. And if the gardener should be at work on the 18th and 21st... Fortunately, other publications publish their versions of the calendar, less strict ones, and the April dates in them look like this: April 7, 8, 18, 20-21.

We will not claim that “everyone is lying calendars”, but we will treat with restraint

Well, it’s easier, there are days at the beginning of the month. All this would be ridiculous, but indeed, after looking through a dozen magazines and Internet sites, you come to the conclusion that many people write the way they want, and if this is the case, then it makes little sense to strictly follow such calendars. There is time - we focus on the source we like, trustworthy. No - we sow when we have free time, relying on scientific data and our own experience.

Preliminary preparation

Preparation for sowing cabbage for seedlings consists in the purchase and processing of containers, seeds and soil. In terms of packaging, nothing special is required. Yes, it is very convenient to use peat tablets or pots. But cabbage is normally transplanted, so you can grow it at home even in common boxes. And since the picking is only good for her, it is best to prepare small boxes and any cups about 7 x 7 cm in size. Nothing is needed in the greenhouse: the seeds are sown directly into the ground.

Seed preparation

Regarding the preparation of seeds, you can read many recipes. These include calibration, decontamination, soaking, tempering, etc. Let's ask ourselves: do we have time for all this? If the seeds are collected in your own garden, then almost all of this, indeed, will have to be done. But how many summer residents prepare their cabbage seeds, which she gives only in the second year? After all, it is necessary to preserve a healthy stalk until spring, plant it, take care of it ... The store now sells seeds for every taste, and in the case of cabbage varieties, they are not so expensive.

Yes, until recently there were firms that could hardly be trusted, and instead of cabbage you could buy, for example, turnips. Now most of these organizations have left the market. True, regrading happens, and you can run into a completely different variety that you wanted, but, in terms of quality, the seeds, as a rule, are sold quite suitable, and they do not require any additional preparation. Cabbage seeds remain viable for 4–5 years, and fresher seeds are usually put on the market.

cabbage seeds medium size, easy to handle

Calibration is advised to be carried out by lowering the seeds into salt water. Well, this method is good for light seeds like peppers or tomatoes! In cabbage, almost all the seeds will sink, only the broken ones will float, and there are very few of them. Do I need to disinfect purchased seeds? I haven't done this in many years. But those who wish, fearing for the presence of infectious agents in the bag, can do this. The recipe is simple: 15–20 minutes in a dark purple solution of potassium permanganate at a temperature of about 48–50 ° C, followed by rinsing.

Many gardeners advise soaking seeds before sowing, including in solutions of microfertilizers. Of course, this does not harm at all, but it will not give a big effect either. As, however, and hardening of soaked seeds in the refrigerator. Cabbage is so cold-resistant that such measures will only take your time, and in our fast age you can spend it on something more necessary.

High-quality cabbage seeds, if they are not found on some treasured shelf and have not been stored there for many years, will sprout even without any preparation, dry, and a difference of one or two days will not make us weather. Therefore, you should listen to all the advice, but pass them through yourself, deciding whether to carry out this or that stage.

Soil preparation

But careful preparation of the soil for sowing is already more serious, especially if the soil is taken from the garden. At least, it is impossible to take it from the garden where cruciferous plants (cabbage, radish, radish) grew. For cultivation a small amount you can buy seedlings in the store, but if you have something to cook from, you should not waste your money. Moreover, we are only talking about growing seedlings at home, and this is done infrequently: at home, cabbage seedlings are just very hot.

So, if home sowing is supposed, then the best composition soil - sod land, peat and sand, taken in equal proportions. In addition, half a bucket must be added to a bucket of such a mixture. liter jar wood ash. You can also have a couple of tablespoons of superphosphate, but you can do without it, better later fill the lack of fertilizers with top dressing.

For growing cabbage seedlings, it is not recommended to use humus, even good quality: at the same time, she grows more pampered.

Self-prepared soil must be disinfected. The choice of method is an amateur. Freezing the soil is easy to do, but it does not kill all possible pathogens. Steaming in the oven at a temperature of about 100 ° C is more reliable, but at this time it will not be so pleasant to be in the kitchen. In addition, hot processing kills beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Probably, optimal way is, after all, pouring with a solution of potassium permanganate.

In contrast to seed dressing, for soil, the concentration of the solution should be lower. There is no point in bringing numerical values: Well, how will the average Russian layman take a sample of 0.5 g at home? It should be a pink solution. Not a faint pink, but such that the coloring is quite intense. But through the solution, poured into a liter jar, it was possible to discern what was behind it. Here's a guideline. It is better to shed the soil with a warm solution, but not hot. So that it becomes clearly wet. After that, she will have to dry out for a couple of days, otherwise it will not even be possible to make grooves for sowing.

The middle solution is suitable for soil disinfection, and the one on the left is suitable for seeds.

How to grow seedlings of early and late cabbage at home

Cabbage seedlings are elementary grown in open field at least later and mid-late varieties and in not too northern regions. At home, in a city apartment, this has to be done only for early receipt products, but growing high-quality seedlings at home is extremely difficult. The best way for most regions - a small greenhouse or unheated greenhouse.

On the windowsill in a house or apartment

If it became necessary to grow seedlings on the windowsill, then this should be the coldest and most illuminated window sill in the house. And the owners will have to put up with constantly open windows: a temperature comfortable for a person for cabbage seedlings is detrimental.

It makes no sense to immediately sow the seeds in separate pots, unless these are peat tablets. All the same, 10 days after germination, they will need to be transplanted with pinching off the tip of the main root: this is the only way to grow relatively strong seedlings at home. Therefore, we sow in a small box. Two weeks of stay of seedlings remarkably withstand suitable rectangular carton boxes from under milk, kefir, juice, etc. If you cut off one of the large sides of the box, and make several holes in the second to drain excess water, you get a great container for the first time. Moreover, a soil layer of more than 4 cm is not needed in the sowing container. The sowing technique is simple, but seedling care is not very good:

Seedlings ready for planting should have a stocky appearance, a thick stem and 5-6 succulent leaves.

Good seedlings are low, but strong

The advantage of growing seedlings on the windowsill is only one: they are supervised all the time. But it creates a lot of inconvenience.

Video: growing cabbage seedlings

in the greenhouse

If there is a small unheated greenhouse in the country, it is better to use this option. True, it will be necessary to visit the seedlings often: ideally, at least every other day. It makes the most sense greenhouse cultivation seedlings of early cabbage; varieties more late deadline ripening in the middle lane and in the south, it will be possible to sow already in open ground, under temporary shelter.

Sowing early varieties of cabbage in a greenhouse can be carried out at any time, which is determined only by the climate of the region and the current weather: the seeds must germinate at a temperature inside the greenhouse of at least 10 ° C, otherwise their hatching will take too long, and under adverse conditions, the death of part of the seeds is possible. You can sow both in a box (just like in an apartment), and directly in a prepared seedling bed.

The first method of growing seedlings is no different from growing on a windowsill: the same sowing, the same care, compliance with temperature, humidity and light modes. But picking is possible both in cups or big box, and directly into the garden, as it is more convenient for the gardener.

If sowing seeds is carried out in a garden bed, it is necessary to prepare the soil in it in the same way as for a box: make it loose and safe. It is better to replace the soil in the seedbed in general, preparing it in the same way as at home: from earth, sand, peat and ash. Before sowing, shed it with a solution of potassium permanganate, let it dry, loosen and sow the seeds according to a convenient pattern.

The latter implies that seedlings can be grown in the garden without picking, if only the temperature is strictly observed. If by the time the true leaves are formed, the seedlings have not stretched at all, the picking can be omitted. Obviously, if you plan to do without picking, you should immediately sow the seeds less often, according to the 6 x 6 cm scheme (or thin out the seedlings after they sprout and grow slightly).

In the greenhouse, seedlings can be grown both in pots and in the garden.

Growing in a greenhouse involves systematic ventilation by opening doors or windows. The risk of infection with a black leg is no lower than at home, and this sore attacks, first of all, with excessive soil and air moisture. Growing seedlings of cabbage in a greenhouse is more convenient than at home, but these advantages are manifested only on the condition that the owner can systematically monitor its condition.

Video: cabbage seedlings in a greenhouse

Outdoor cultivation

In the garden, you can immediately sow cabbage seeds in a permanent place, as soon as the weather allows. To reduce the risk, several seeds are placed in each prepared well and for the first time the wells are covered with a cropped plastic bottle. This approach saves time because it does not require a subsequent transplant, but, as a rule, it is still so difficult to work with the earth in early spring that it is easier to prepare a small seedling bed than big garden for growing cabbage in the "from and to" mode.

Video: growing cabbage in the ground without seedlings

Of course, the possibility of growing seedlings in the garden also depends on when it will be possible to get to the site: sometimes the roads dry out too late. But as a rule, in central Russia in mid-April, sowing is already possible. It is better to prepare a small bed in the fall, dug it up well with the addition of a fair amount of wood ash. Then, on the very first spring visit to the dacha, you can only slightly loosen the soil and, having made grooves, sow seeds in them.

By the way, rows of cabbage can be alternated with rows of relatively cold-resistant annual flowers: asters, phloxes, Godetia, etc. If you take a little risk, you can sow “Merry Fellows” dahlias, and marigolds, and salvia.

After sowing, the bed should be covered with plastic wrap. But it is better to pull it at a height of 10-15 cm. Ideal for such a temporary shelter window frames with opening sashes, which were thrown away in large quantities during the boom in the installation of plastic windows. Having nailed boards with a width of 10 cm and above along the perimeter of such a frame, we get a wonderful portable greenhouse.

Under such a shelter it will not be too hot, and you should not be afraid that the shoots will stretch. No, this is at home one day of delay with a decrease in temperature leads to the death of seedlings. In the open field, when we arrive at the site next weekend, we may not see seedlings yet, depending on the weather. Well, in another week shoots will appear for sure; by then it will be warmer and the shelter can be removed.

For the first week, you can cover the crops with any improvised material.

In open ground, watering of seedlings is almost never required: there are enough winter reserves of moisture in the soil. It is only necessary to periodically loosen the earth between the rows and remove weeds. Top dressing is desirable: in the same way as at home, in the phase of two true leaves and after another two weeks. It is not necessary to dive, but thinning is necessary: ​​in rows, 6–7 cm should be left between plants. It will be possible to plant seedlings in a garden bed at the usual time.

The advantage of open ground is colossal: seedlings never stretch. She has enough light and is still quite cool. No need to mess with containers for sowing, drag boxes back and forth ... Disadvantages? Yes, in fact, they are not.

Benefits of using cassettes

Let's get back to housing. Talking about individual pots, we completely forgot to discuss what they should be. But those days have passed when the housewives themselves folded the likeness of cups from plastic film or paper. Now the most economical ones collect plastic cups from sour cream, cottage cheese, etc. all year round. It is important that they are not too small: you need a volume of at least 200 ml.

Ordinary cassettes are a box divided into cells

But it is even more convenient to use the so-called cassettes: in them, individual cups are combined into a common box-type matrix. They are easy to transport, but each bush in them lives in its own home, and the roots do not intertwine. And the most convenient if they also have removable bottoms. Not quite removable, but easily pushed out by pressing a finger along with a clod of earth and a seedling bush. Seedlings are easily removed from such cups and without damage to the root system. The relative minus (they cost money) is compensated by durability: such cassettes serve for many years.

And this is how individual cups with an easily retractable bottom look like: they are also placed in a common tray

Use of peat tablets

Peat tablets are compressed peat with additions of fertilizers and, sometimes, growth stimulants. Issued different sizes: from 2.5 cm in diameter. Before use, the tablets are placed in a tray and gradually poured large quantity water. Water is absorbed, the tablets grow up (they are limited by a braid from the sides) and turn into cylindrical peat containers for sowing seeds. A small recess is made for the seed in one of the ends.

Water pills swell and turn into nutrient pots

For cabbage, you need to use tablets with a diameter of 4 cm or more. Just in case, 2-3 seeds are sown in each tablet, and then excess plants are cut off. The pallet with tablets is kept at room temperature and in the light until shoots appear. Then the temperature is sharply reduced and seedlings are grown under normal conditions.

Tablets are poured "from below", pouring water into the pan; right amount moisture is absorbed into the peat.

Feeding is not necessary: ​​the material of the tablets contains a sufficient amount of nutrients. Diving when using tablets is not required, but if the roots begin to sprout and intertwine with the roots of neighbors, the seedlings, along with the tablet, will have to be transplanted into a larger pot with soil mixture. The convenience of using peat tablets is obvious. The downsides are that the tablets are relatively expensive, and it only makes sense to buy them in small quantities.

Features of growing seedlings in different regions of Russia

The technology for growing cabbage seedlings does not depend on the region: the recipes are quite standard. Naturally, the timing of sowing seeds and the place differ: in the south there is no point in sowing cabbage in apartment conditions, but in the north this often has to be done.

So, in the Moscow region, the seeds of early cabbage are sown in late March or early April, and this can only be done at home or in a greenhouse. But late cabbage is sown already in open ground, as soon as the weather permits. In the Kuban, sowing in the garden is possible already in March, and in Siberia or the Urals - not earlier than the end of April. If in the middle lane and in the south, before planting seedlings in open ground, hardening can be carried out (this is a desirable stage), but in the Siberian region it is mandatory.

In the southern regions (Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Astrakhan region) in mid-March, it is already possible to even plant seedlings in open ground, so sowing seeds in an unheated greenhouse is possible in mid-February. In these regions, on the contrary, it is desirable to finish all things with cabbage in the spring: even adult plants cannot stand extreme heat. But in the conditions of, for example, the Leningrad region, late cabbage sown on seedlings with a slight delay may not have time to form properly, so seeds are sown here in March or April, but greenhouse conditions are used for this.

If you observe the temperature regime, give enough light and water in moderation, cabbage seedlings grow strong and healthy. Unless, of course, some infection was introduced with the soil. We have already discussed the issue of pulling seedlings: if it has grown a few centimeters in the first day, it is better to throw it away. If the stretch is small, you can carefully pour clean soil to the roots, water lightly and immediately correct the flaws with heat and light.

The main danger for cabbage seedlings is the black leg. Its first sign is the blackening of the root collar, the thinning of the stem, and then its drying out. At the first suspicion of a disease, diseased specimens should be carefully pulled out and discarded, the soil should be poured with a light pink solution of potassium permanganate, and clean river sand. Even more reliable means there will be a transplant of healthy plants in a clean land.

Seedlings that have fallen ill with a black leg cannot be saved, but you can try to save neighboring, still healthy plants

Sometimes seedlings acquire an unnatural blue-violet hue. If this is not a characteristic color for the variety, most likely the color is associated with deviations from the regime. Maybe it's just not enough food, and liquid top dressing able to remedy the situation. Yellowing of seedlings may also be due to a lack of any nutrients or errors in watering.

Sometimes the leaves of cabbage seedlings are covered with small holes. There are several reasons, but only one serious one: perhaps a cruciferous flea was brought with the soil. It can be destroyed in seedlings only by spraying with chemicals: for starters, you can try a relatively safe Bordeaux liquid or even an ash infusion. It is undesirable to use more severe chemicals on seedlings.

Other pests of cabbage plants rarely infect seedlings, and if they are found, it is necessary to study the relevant literature and apply specific chemicals. But if the seedlings are clearly dying, unfortunately, nothing can be done already. In most cases, the owner was to blame when he did something wrong. Well, sometimes - accidentally caught pests that were not noticed in time. Most often, seedlings die from a black leg. But when grown in open ground, seedlings almost never die.

In our next material, you will learn about all the rules for planting bell pepper for seedlings and the features of caring for it:

Growing cabbage seedlings is not difficult, unless they are doing it in a warm city apartment. Comfortable conditions for seedlings and its host are radically different. But if conditions of good light and coolness are created, cabbage seedlings grow strong and healthy: other operations when caring for it do not require anything supernatural.