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How to grow a good purple cabbage
Purple cabbage, also known as red cabbage or purple kale, is a rare and highly valuable vegetable with significant economic potential. Proper cultivation techniques are essential to ensure a healthy and productive harvest. Here's a detailed guide on how to grow it effectively:
When starting the seedlings, choose a nursery bed that has not been used for growing cabbages before. This helps prevent disease buildup. Apply sufficient base fertilizer to enrich the soil. Before sowing, disinfect the seedbed using chlorothalonil to reduce the risk of fungal infections. Soak the seeds for 2-4 hours to promote germination. Be careful not to soak them too long, as this can damage the seeds and hinder sprouting. The seedlings should be transplanted when they have two true leaves.
For transplanting, select a field with fertile soil and good irrigation and drainage facilities. The seedlings are ready for transplanting when they have six to seven true leaves. Plant them in raised beds, with each planting strip measuring 150 cm wide and 10 cm high. Arrange two rows per bed, with 50 cm between plants in the row and 35 cm between the rows.
After transplanting, maintain the temperature carefully during the first 7–10 days. Keep daytime temperatures between 25°C and 27°C, and nighttime temperatures between 13°C and 15°C. During the rosette and head formation stages, adjust the temperature to 18°C–20°C during the day and 12°C–15°C at night. If the temperature exceeds 25°C, open the greenhouse vents for ventilation. When temperatures drop below 17°C, cover the plastic sheeting to protect the plants from cold winds.
Fertilization is crucial for optimal growth. Apply the first topdressing 15 days after sowing, combining it with watering. Use 15–20 kg of urea per acre. The second application should be done just before the rosette leaves and heads start to form. Apply 10 kg of urea and 5 kg of potassium sulfate per mu. The third topdressing takes place during the head formation stage, using 20 kg of urea, 10 kg of potassium sulfate, and 10 kg of phosphate fertilizer per mu. Keep the soil consistently moist during the head development phase to support healthy growth.
Pest and disease control is also important. For black rot and soft rot, soak the seeds in warm water for 20–30 minutes or treat them with a 50% solution of dextroammonium for 15 minutes. Dry the seeds thoroughly before sowing. At the early stages of infection, use a 1:1:200 Bordeaux mixture, or apply streptomycin sulfate or chloramphenicol at 50–100 ppm. Spray every 7–10 days, repeating the treatment up to 3–4 times.
For downy mildew, spray with a 500-fold dilution of anti-virus solution or 75% chlorothalonil at 500 times. To control aphids and cabbage whiteflies, use 20% cypermethrin diluted 3500 times.
By following these steps, you can successfully grow high-quality purple cabbage with better yield and market value. Always monitor your crops regularly and adjust your practices according to local conditions.