Brussels sprouts is a unique vegetable and is not familiar to everyone, but in its taste and healing properties it is not inferior to other types of cabbage, and in some ways surpasses them. Many amateur gardeners are interested in the issue of growing this vegetable in their beds.
As you know, in order to obtain good shoots and harvest a rich harvest, it is necessary to provide the plant with the right conditions for full growth and development and appropriate care. Not every gardener decides to grow Brussels sprouts, since it is quite capricious, but this is precisely what is of particular interest. Having taken the risk once and having grown a rich vitamin harvest of this garden crop, you will be proud of the results of your labor and will continue to develop this culture in our country.
Description of Brussels sprouts and the best varieties
In mature form, Brussels sprouts have a stem about 50-80 cm high, with small fruits in the form of miniature heads of cabbage formed at the base of petiole leaves, the size of only a walnut.
Early maturing is the Franklin variety. Its ripening period is about 4 months. A mid-season variety is considered - Diablo, which ripens in the 5th month. But the Boxer hybrid can be attributed to the later varieties. Its ripening occurs only six months later.
Sowing seeds and growing seedlings
Brussels sprouts are grown using seedlings. For this, seeds are planted in mid-April. A balcony or window sill on the south side of the apartment is the best for this. The main thing is that the growing area should be well lit and have comfortable conditions: during the day, cabbage will need 15-17 degrees of heat, and at night 5-7 will be enough. But it is necessary to remember about the level of air humidity, it should not be higher than 80%.
Seeds are planted with a distance of 4-5 cm from each other, and about 2 cm deep. The seeds of this vitamin vegetable very quickly begin to sprout, usually this happens already on the 5-6th day. As soon as fresh leaves appear, they must be dived. Planting seedlings in open ground is carried out no earlier than after 1.5–2 months.
Keep in mind that this variety of cabbage grows very intensively, which means it takes up a lot of space, so you need to plant the plant according to the 50x50 cm scheme.
Care of Brussels sprouts during the growing season
Caring for Brussels sprouts will require a competent approach, it should be provided with regular and timely watering. Seedlings are watered with cool, settled water. It is also advisable to feed the plant. This is done with the help of mineral fertilizers or infusions of weeds, alternating between them. In general, you can use any fertilizers, the main thing is that the content of potassium and nitrogen in them is in equal proportions. Also, make sure that the phosphorus content in such fertilizers is half that of nitrogen.
Brussels sprouts can thrive in slightly acidic soil.Resistance to keel disease distinguishes it favorably from many other varieties. For the full growth of this garden vegetable, fertile land is needed, therefore, before planting seedlings, you should take care of fertilizing the soil area on which it will grow with organic fertilizers. One well will need 1/3 teaspoon of any fertilizer. It should be used in the future as the vegetable crop grows.
The vegetable needs to be hilled several times, since it grows quite high - up to 80 cm. It is necessary to loosen the soil more often, this will provide excellent air exchange, which has a positive effect on the development of the root system and the growth of cabbage.
Diseases and pests
Brussels sprouts, like any other cabbage crop, are affected by various pests and diseases, but it has one significant advantage over others, it is not susceptible to cabbage fly. The stems and fruits of the plant contain a large amount of mustard oils, which repels these pathogenic insects. But Brussels sprouts are very fond of insects such as cabbage whites and moths. To get rid of them, special chemicals are used.
Growing problems
A feature of this vegetable crop is the intensive growth of leaves on the trunk. Some inexperienced gardeners believe that cabbage lacks phosphorus, but this is a misconception. During the growth of Brussels sprouts, small roaches will form in the leaf petioles. Their number can be up to 60-70 pieces.
When activating the growth of the lower rosters, the upper part of the plant must be cut off. This procedure is usually performed in early or mid September. In this case, the growth of the plant itself slows down, which contributes to the full development of the fruit.
There are times when the roach has not yet started at this time. This may indicate unfavorable weather conditions or poor care of the plant, but do not panic, let the plant continue to grow and develop. This vegetable is capable of growing until the very frost. The fruits may well set in October.
Harvesting and processing
When the small heads of cabbage become plump, you can prepare for harvesting. The fruits are cut and deep-frozen. With this method of storage, all their valuable properties and taste are preserved for a long time. You can also dig up a plant with a rhizome and lightly dig it in the cellar. Many gardeners do this because it will keep the fruit fresh longer. And some craftsmen keep the whole cut plant (the stem along with the fruits) on the balcony.
The whole process of growing Brussels sprouts will not require any big expenses from you, but it will give you a delicious and vitamin-rich harvest.
