For quite a long time in the vegetable markets, and in most supermarkets, you can observe an unusual type of vegetable. This peculiar and unique vegetable is Brussels sprouts. By the number of useful vitamins contained in it, it is in no way inferior to ordinary white cabbage, and in terms of taste it is superior to it in many ways. In addition, it is a very unusual and beautiful plant, which looks especially unusual during the formation of the forks. What kind of culture is this and how to grow Brussels sprouts at home?
General information
In fact, Brussels sprouts is one of the varieties of white cabbage and refers to the type of leaf cabbage. This is a cultivated plant, therefore, in the wild it is simply impossible to meet it. An unusual vegetable was bred in Belgium and named after Brussels farmers.
Cabbage was generally recognized first in Western Europe, Canada, and the United States. In Russia, popularity came to her only in the middle of the 19th century. In our country, it is cultivated in limited quantities in the central regions. This vegetable is so frost-resistant that it coexists in almost any climate.
Description and appearance of cabbage
This vegetable crop is a two-year-old plant. Brussels sprouts are growing (how to grow in open ground, we will consider further) in an extremely unusual way. First, a thick stalk grows 30-100 centimeters high, in rare cases, the stalk can reach a larger size. Large green leaves are located throughout the stem. It is also considered normal if dark green spots with a purple tint form on the leaves. A small rosette of leaves forms at the top of the stem. In the autumn, small forks of cabbage are formed near each leaf. The diameter of each reaches from 2 to 5 centimeters. Fruits can be located very rarely, but they can also, on the contrary, cling to the entire stem. Up to 70 forks can grow on one stalk. In the second year of its flowering, the plant does not produce fruit, but forms flowers with small brown seeds. Seeds of Brussels sprouts are able to maintain their germination for no more than 5 years. Cabbage is able to withstand frosts reaching up to -10 degrees, which makes it the most frost-resistant among all species. Also, this type of cabbage is one of the longest germinating species. The ripening period lasts from 120 to 180 days, which is why this species is more convenient to grow through seedlings.
How to grow brussels sprouts from seeds
The very first question asked by a gardener who decided to grow this crop: how and when to plant it? How to grow Brussels sprouts in the garden? The seeds of this plant begin to grow already at a temperature of +2 degrees. It is best to grow seedlings in early April. It is advisable to do this in a heated greenhouse. If there is none, then a glazed balcony is perfect for this. The most optimal environment for sowing is high air humidity, as well as a temperature of +3 or +4 degrees at night. Sprouts begin to appear already on the fifth day.
So, how to grow seedlings of Brussels sprouts from seeds? Before sowing, the seeds must be warmed well in water for 15 minutes. Recommended water temperature - no more than 50 degrees. Then they are immersed in cold water for 1 minute. Next, the seeds are kept for 12 hours in a solution rich in trace elements, then washed in running water and placed in the refrigerator for a day. After which the seeds should be dried and you can begin to plant. In order for the seedlings to be strong, you need to sow seeds at a distance of at least 5 centimeters from each other, and the planting depth should be no more than 2 centimeters. After one real leaf appears on the seedlings, the plants dive, and then transplanted into separate boxes. Further seedlings should grow from 35 to 60 days. Then transplanted into the open ground. Usually by this time, from 4 to 7 leaves grow on each stem. If you plan to grow Brussels sprouts in the country, it is important to properly prepare the soil.
The soil
Cabbage loves cultivated and rich in nutrients soils, seedlings in putrid soils will give poor germination. That is why, before growing Brussels sprouts in open ground, in the spring before planting, the soil must be fertilized. For these purposes, it is best to use ammonium nitrate or urea. The concentration is about 20 g per 1 m. A sunny place is best for planting, since cabbage does not like shade. Planting plants is recommended in two rows, quite far from each other. The best distance between plants is at least 50 cm.
How to care for beds of brussels sprouts
When considering how to grow Brussels sprouts, it is important to familiarize yourself with the care features. Two weeks after planting the plants in the beds, it is recommended to carry out the first fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. Under one stalk, it is recommended to make 1-2 liters of fertilizer.
The second top dressing is carried out when forks are formed on the stems. Cabbage must be watered abundantly. This culture is abundant watering is especially necessary during the formation of small forks. In order to prevent pests from attacking cabbage, it is recommended to sprinkle ash on the ground once a week after loosening. To make the cabbage crop richer, the upper rosettes should be cut off. This is best done one and a half months before the harvest ripens. Let us further consider how to grow Brussels sprouts so that they are not attacked by pests.
What pests are dangerous for cabbage
Brussels sprouts, like any other vegetables that grow gardeners in their beds, are susceptible to pests. But, unlike other garden crops, cabbage has a clear advantage over others: it is immune to such a pest as cabbage fly. Mustard oil, which is found in large quantities in the stems and fruits of the plant, repels these parasites. Special chemical preparations will help get rid of cabbage whites, aphids and moths, which, unfortunately, are subject to cabbage. For prevention, cabbage is recommended to be treated with folk remedies, because, as you know, it is easier to prevent pests than to deal with them later. So, how to grow Brussels sprouts and keep parasites to a minimum? To do this, resort to the following methods:
- observe crop rotation;
- treat the seeds before sowing (the method was described above);
- compliance with all rules for caring for cabbage.
If, in spite of everything, parasites nevertheless appeared, then it is necessary to resort to chemical treatment. The most suitable drugs for the fight are “Fundazol” or “Maxim”, these funds are not toxic to humans. If it was not possible to completely get rid of the pests, then it is recommended to remove the affected areas of the plant and take it away from the site or burn it.
Harvesting
Harvesting cabbage is recommended to start in late September or early October. It is not necessary to cut all forks. Harvested as it ripens. Ripe cabbage has a saturated green color and reaches a diameter of 3 centimeters. The mass of one fork can reach from 10 to 15 grams.
There is another method of harvesting: finally ripened forks are cut with the stem, then put in wet sand and cleaned in a dark place. In this form, cabbage can be stored for up to 4 months. Cut forks are best used immediately or frozen. Scientifically proven fact - frozen heads of Brussels sprouts do not lose their nutritional value.
Varieties of Cabbage Varieties
Considering the technology of how to grow Brussels sprouts, it is worth stopping at the most popular varieties. They can be divided into three varieties:
- early cabbage (Cassio, Dolmik, Rosello (Germany), Franklin, Rudnev, Isabella);
- mid-season cabbage (Boxer, Perfection (Russia), Hercules, Riesen);
- late cabbage (Gruniger (Germany), Ketskill (USA), Curl).
The harm and benefits of cabbage
Brussels sprouts are a storehouse of healthy vitamins and minerals. It is rich in vitamins of group B, PP, C, E, protein, and also in large quantities contains amino acids and enzymes, folic acid and fiber. By the amount of vitamin C, cabbage is many times ahead of blackcurrant. And riboflavin is contained in it exactly as much as in natural cow's milk.
Cabbage is a dietary and hypoallergenic product, so it can be safely given to young children, as well as elderly people. Due to the high content of folic acid, the vegetable can also be eaten by expectant mothers. Brussels sprout juice has a diuretic and choleretic effect. It also has anti-inflammatory, expectorant, immunostimulating effects. Cabbage helps fight excess weight, enhances intestinal motility, and also eliminates heartburn. The prepared broth from cabbage is not inferior in quality to chicken.
Brussels sprouts are not recommended for use in people who have weakened pancreatic function, since there is a high risk of hypothyroidism. In people with Crohn's disease, as well as gastrointestinal diseases, cabbage can cause bloating.
Nutritional Information of Brussels Sprouts
Calorie Brussels sprouts - 35 kcal.
Nutritional value per 100 g: proteins - 4.8 g; fats - 0.3 g; carbohydrates - 3.1 g.
The use of cabbage in cooking
Cabbage is cooked easily and quickly. Forks are most often used entirely for soups, side dishes and main dishes. Vegetables can be cooked, fried, stewed. At the same time, he will not lose his taste properties. The unusual shape and small size of cabbage give cooks an abundance of options for decorating different side dishes and dishes. Of course, it is best and more beneficial to eat raw cabbage, but if the taste seems unusual, then you can resort to heat treatment or frying.
In order for the color of the forks to remain as bright as in the raw form, it is recommended to fry it on high heat, without covering it with a lid. When choosing cabbage in the store, it is recommended to pay attention to its top leaves. As a rule, they should be bright green in color, not have dark spots on the leaves and stems. The stem should be light in color and clean. If the top leaves on the cabbage turn yellow, such a product is not recommended for consumption. It is best to choose cabbage forks of medium size, about 3 cm in diameter. They should be dense and shiny, usually these are the most delicious and juicy. Larger cabbage heads may be bitter.
So, we examined the cultivation of Brussels sprouts, care, varieties. As already mentioned above, with a competent approach to business and the strict observance of all instructions, the culture can be planted on its site. The process will not require any large expenditures, but the result of the work done in the form of a useful crop will clearly please.