White cabbage is very popular among vegetable growers. It can be seen in almost every garden plot. This is due to the excellent taste of the product, a large number of vitamins and minerals included in its composition.
Every year, new, more advanced varieties and hybrids appear, which are characterized by increased frost resistance, productivity and a long shelf life of fresh heads of cabbage. Among all this diversity, there are varieties that have already passed the test of time among professional vegetable growers and amateur gardeners.
A description of the Rinda cabbage variety can be found today in every handbook on vegetable growing and horticulture. Judging by statistics, the seeds of this variety are sold in Russia twice as much as all other varieties combined. Today we will talk more about this hybrid, and talk about its advantages and disadvantages, if any.
Rinda cabbage: description and characteristics of the variety
This variety was bred by Holland breeders from the Monsanto agricultural firm. Rinda cabbage F1 refers to hybrids of medium and early ripening. In 1993, the variety was included in the state register of Russia in two regions - Volga-Vyatka and Central. On the Russian market, under the brand name Seminis, cabbage seeds of (medium) Rinda are coming. Although in the southern regions it is classified as mid-early.
Describing the Rinda F1 early cabbage variety , it should be noted that this is a powerful plant with light green leaves and heads of cabbage weighing from 4 to 6 kg, rounded in shape. The leaves are tender and juicy. The stump is of medium length.
Rinda cabbage, the description of the variety of which (we are sure) is of interest to many beginning vegetable growers, has distinctive characteristics. This is primarily mid-ripening and high productivity. From the moment the first seedlings appear, about 90 days elapse until complete ripeness.
These beautiful dense heads of cabbage are not susceptible to cracking, so there will be no harm if they, for some reason, linger on the garden for a bit. The description of the Rinda cabbage variety will be incomplete if we do not talk about the shelf life of the heads of cabbage. It is not too long - from 2 to 4 months, so this variety is desirable to use fresh, as well as for pickling and use in cooking.
Landing and care
We have already said that in Russia Rinda cabbage is widespread and popular. The description of the variety suggests that its cultivation is not difficult. Is it really? Let's get it right.
Any cabbage is a photophilous culture. As for Rinda, it is especially dependent on lighting: the slightest shading can affect the development of this plant and the quality of the future crop. For this reason, it is necessary to choose an open and sunny place, without stagnation of air and moisture. The presence of groundwater should be considered: they should not be at more than one meter. In addition, it is necessary to exclude the lowlands where moisture stagnates, as well as the highlands, where it is likely to be insufficient.
Growing Features
White cabbage belongs to plants that can not tolerate either cold or heat. The optimum temperature for it is from +13 ° C to +18 ° C. Cabbage seedlings, like an adult plant, can withstand a short drop to -5 ° C.
When a head of cabbage is tied, the plant needs a lot of moisture. You need to know that on the garden site, in addition to insect pests, there are also help insects that destroy pests. To attract them, it is necessary to plant honey plants next to cabbage: mint, sage, basil, cilantro and other spices.
What should be the soil?
Landing site Rinda should be prepared in the fall. The soil must be liming at the rate of 0.5 kg of lime per 1 sq. Km. m and provide it with organic matter (bucket of humus or peat per square meter). After such preparation for spring, the soil will be completely ready for planting.
Another important point: if cabbage was already growing on the site you selected last year, then you need to choose a new place for it. It will be possible to plant seedlings (or seeds) after four to five years. You will be able to get a good harvest of cabbage from the site where you used to grow:
- potatoes;
- cereals;
- bow;
- carrot;
- garlic;
- legumes;
- cucumbers
- eggplant.
Is it worth it to grow seedlings?
Numerous gardening publications provide an answer to this question, which provides a description of the Rinda cabbage variety. It is grown in two ways: seedlings and seedlings.
Since the ripening season for heads of this variety is not the longest, it is possible not to grow seedlings. Seeds are planted in mid-May in a well-moistened soil. The distance between the holes is at least three centimeters, between the rows - about ten. 6-7 seeds are sown in one hole, not too deeply sown (2 cm). After this, the holes are mulched with humus or sawdust.
The reckless method of growing cabbage has both disadvantages and advantages. Plants grown from seeds in the open field adapt much better and faster to weather changes. However, during the growing season, they need more careful care, the fight against insects and weeds. When planting seeds in open ground, you need to be sure that there will not be return frosts.
Seed germination: how to check?
This question interests almost all gardeners. Checking the germination of seeds is easy. Pour them with salt water (30 grams of salt per 1 liter of water) and leave for a few minutes. Empty and damaged seeds will emerge, while quality seeds will remain at the bottom.
Then, seed calibration will be required - select the largest of them, it is desirable that they be approximately equal in size. Put them in hot water (about 50 ° C). This is necessary for disinfection, getting rid of bacteria.
Seedling method
Seeds are planted in plastic or peat pots, a coconut substrate or cassettes no deeper than 1.5 cm. Seedlings are grown in a greenhouse or in a house. Before hatching, seeds need a temperature of +20 ° C to +22 ° C, and after germination - not higher than +10 ° C. In addition, we must not forget about good lighting, so that the seedlings do not stretch in height.
Fifteen days later, the first true leaves will appear on the seedlings. They are transplanted into more spacious pots (after heavy watering). You can plant seedlings in the ground after at least six true leaves are on each seedling. This usually happens after 40 days.
The advantage of this method is the ability to harvest two weeks earlier than with seedlings. But with a lack of lighting, the seedlings are stretched, weak, which leads to various diseases. Moreover, Rinda cabbage does not relate well to transplantation, and therefore, in a new place, it is under stress for some time. She is less prepared for the vagaries of the weather than grown in open ground.
Care
The quality of the heads of cabbage and the productivity that you will enjoy with Rinda cabbage depends on how you will care for the cabbage. Description of the variety, reviews of experienced vegetable growers, which we will present in this article, will help you do this job competently. First of all, you need to know about proper watering.
Does cabbage love moisture?
Yes, this culture is very demanding on the moisture content in the soil. Seeds planted in open ground should be watered at least twice a week. About ten liters of water are needed per square meter. When the leaves become large, this rate should be increased to fourteen liters per square meter, but watering at this time is done once a week. Particular attention should be paid to watering during the laying and heading out - observing the frequency of watering yields an excellent result, and its non-observance can lead to the death of the crop.
Weeding, hilling, cultivating
Many vegetable growers know that loosening the soil after irrigation is necessary. But we must not forget about the precipitation, especially strong. After all, after them, the topsoil is also compacted and a crust forms. Therefore, after heavy rain, loosen the beds. Weed control is also very important.
When growing cabbage, the problem usually is not that these weeds interfere with the absorption of water and nutrients, but that weeds are an intermediate in the spread of diseases and harmful insects.
Twice a season cabbage should be spud. The first such procedure is carried out fifteen days after planting the plants in open ground, and the second time - thirty days later. This will help support fragile seedlings and activate their growth and development. Hilling should be carried out on a day when there is no rain and wind.
Gardeners reviews
We presented you a description of the Rinda cabbage variety. What do gardeners think of her? Summer residents with experience note that, despite the emergence of new varieties of cabbage, they give preference to the time-tested Rinda. This is due to its excellent taste, simple care of this culture, the possibility of using it for pickling and cooking various dishes. Therefore, they recommend growing cabbage of this particular variety.