Savoy cabbage is gradually taking its place in the vegetable niche of our country's gardeners. With its unusual appearance and amazing taste, she was loved by many summer residents. Unfortunately, the stereotypical opinion about the capriciousness of the vegetable can be dispelled only with direct cultivation. What are the features of Savoy cabbage and whether it is worth taking its place on the site will be considered in the article.
Seeds of one of the most common varieties - "Early Golden"
Savoy cabbage looks very nice in the garden
Savoy cabbage
Savoy cabbage during heat treatment does not emit a specific smell, but in the finished form it turns out much more tender than ordinary cabbage
What is special about savoy cabbage?
Savoy cabbage has a very beautiful appearance, reminiscent of a wonderful flower. Its head is formed from delicate green corrugated leaves so that the overall density remains weak, and it can be easily disassembled into components without effort.
This cabbage differs from white cabbage also in that it does not emit a specific smell when processed by temperature. Dishes from it are distinguished by a special taste, and the ready-made consistency is more delicate.
The vegetable from Savoy stands out in that the early varieties do not have the ability to be stored for a long time, and cabbage is not suitable for preparing pickles and winter preparations from it, as well as pickling. This is truly a seasonal vegetable crop.
Origin history
Savoy cabbage comes from the Mediterranean. North Africa is the place of its greatest growth in the wild, and Italians made Savoy cabbage vegetable home culture. They were the first to grow it in the Principality of Savoy more than five centuries ago. From here came the name of cabbage.
At first it was believed that Savoy cabbage is food for the poor, but later its noble tastes were also appreciated by people of noble origin.
In the 18th century, this type of cabbage was called "Milanese", "Lombard" or "Italian". Now Czechs and Poles call this variety French, because Savoy was conquered by Napoleon and belongs to France. In Eastern Europe, Savoy cabbage has its own special name - "lace" or "lace".
Savoy vegetable culture is very rare in our country, most likely due to an erroneous opinion about the increased requirements for growing conditions. Nevertheless, gradually, thanks to the fashion for PP and new products, Savoy cabbage gains attention and receives love for itself from the first test.
Botanical Description
Savoy cabbage represents the Cruciferous family. It resembles white cabbage in structure: it has a branched root system, a high stalk of a fusiform shape, on which are formed wide leaves with barely visible veins framing the head.
The color of the leaves depends on the variety of cabbage. It can be of various green shades, with or without white coating. The appearance of the leaves resemble corrugated paper, have an exquisitely wrinkled appearance.
The head is loose weighing from 0.5 to 3 kg. The section shows that the upper head leaves are emerald green, and towards the stump smoothly become more and more yellow shades.
In the second year, Savoy cabbage lengthens the stem, white-yellow flowers appear. A siliculose fruit is formed, in which there are 4 seeds of a round brown-black color. The sowing value of seeds is maintained for 4 years.
Advantages and disadvantages of growing
The cultivation of savoy cabbage has characteristic advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of growing:
- for the harvest does not require the use of special knowledge;
- unpretentious crop conditions;
- frost resistance;
- disease resistance;
- tolerates drought.
The disadvantages of growing include:
- each plant occupies a large area;
- heads of small or medium size;
- tends to crack when re-overestimated;
- the crop is quickly deteriorating.
Use, composition, benefits and harms
Savoy cabbage is used in salads, and is also subjected to heat treatment during the preparation of all kinds of soups, meatballs, stews and bakery fillings.
The benefits of this vegetable crop are due to its rich vitamin content, the presence of minerals and mineral salts. Regular consumption of savoy cabbage in food increases the general immunity of the body, strengthens the heart and blood vessels, restores and stabilizes the nervous system and positively affects the circulatory system of the body.
A large amount of fiber in the composition helps to satisfy hunger and normalize the digestive tract. This property is especially relevant for weight loss and proper nutrition.
Among the beneficial properties of savoy cabbage, cancer prevention is of particular interest.
Do not eat dishes from this vegetable culture after abdominal and sternum abdominal surgery. It is contraindicated for problems with the gastrointestinal tract and abnormalities in the thyroid gland.
Description of common varieties
The entire varietal and hybrid variety of Savoy cabbage is divided by the length of the period from the first active seedlings to the vegetative maturity of the heads by:
- early ripening - up to 120 days;
- mid-season - up to 135 days;
- late - from 135 days.
Consider some of the most common varieties and their characteristics.
Grade name | Ripeness | Head weight, kg | Features |
Vienna early | early | up to 1.2 | disease resistant |
Golden early | early, up to 95 days | 0,8 |
|
Compars | early, up to 80 | 0,8 |
|
Of the world | early | up to 1.5 | heads do not crack |
Anniversary | early, up to 102 days | up to 0.8 |
|
Melissa | average | up to 3 kg |
|
Sphere | average | up to 2.5 |
|
Alaska | late | up to 2.4 |
|
Stilon | late | up to 2.6 | withstands temperature drops to -6 ° C |
Uralochka | late | up to 2.3 |
|
Growing Savoy Cabbage Through Seedlings
The most common method of obtaining a harvest of Savoy cabbage is considered seedlings. This allows the heads to mature two weeks earlier than when planting by seed. In addition, productivity increases by 30-40%.
When to sow seedlings?
The time interval for sowing directly depends on the variety of cabbage:
- sow early ripeness with spring;
- varieties of medium ripening - from the last decade of March;
- late varieties - from the beginning of April.
Keep in mind that the formation of a full-fledged seedlings ready for planting will require an average of 35-45 days.
Soil for growing seedlings
It is not necessary to buy shop soil for sowing seeds. Although this soil will be disinfected and containing a good composition. The planting mixture can be prepared with your own hands. Take a bucket of land from the garden, add 2.5-3 kg of rotted manure or compost organic matter to it. Or mix:
- 5 parts of peat or garden soil;
- 1 part humus;
- 1 part of river sand;
- 0.5 parts of wood ash.
Calculate the independently prepared soil mixture in the oven for half an hour under temperature conditions of 150-180 ° С. Pour the mixture with boiling water or a weak aqueous solution of manganese a week or two before sowing.
Read more about how to disinfect the soil yourself before planting seedlings, read in another article.
Presowing seed treatment
Most often, the packaged seeds of reliable suppliers that you purchase in stores are already decontaminated and processed with seedlings activating agents. Therefore, they are covered with a green or other color composition. But, if this is not so, or the seed came to you from neighbors or acquaintances, you need to carry out its pre-sowing treatment.
So that the seeds are not a source of the spread of fungal diseases, soak them in a weak solution of manganese for about 15-20 minutes. This time is quite, therefore, it is not necessary to increase the duration. This can lead to a chemical burn and complete damage to the seed.
You can harden the seeds with heat and cold. The first option involves heating the seeds near the heating appliances for 2 days, and the second - placing the planting material in a place where the air temperature is from 1 to 4 ° C (refrigerator, cellar, balcony, etc.). Or soak the seeds in water at 2 degrees Celsius for 24 hours.
After the measures taken, dry the seeds so that it is more convenient to use them when planting.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
The lace material is sown in a common container or in separate cups. Give preference to peat tablets or pots, then when transferring seedlings to the garden you will not need to take out the roots, which means they are not injured, and the adaptation will take place without complications.
At the bottom of the container, lay the drainage layer, filling it with the landing mixture. Water the soil with water and make rows 1 cm deep. Leave about 3-3.5 cm between the grooves. Spread the seeds with a gap of 1.1-2 cm between them and sprinkle with soil. Carry out watering procedures.
Cover the crops with film or glass, put in a warm place. Daily airing and moistening of the soil will facilitate young sprouts to germinate. As soon as the seeds begin to emerge, remove the shelter, and determine the seedlings in a place with a temperature of about 8 degrees, inaccessible to direct sunlight. Reduce the amount of soil moisture.
Crop conditions and care
Caring for seedlings and creating a favorable microclimate will guarantee large heads of Savoy cabbage in the future.
Weak seedlings are vital daylight for at least 14 hours, so if there is no sun during a rainy or cloudy day, as well as in the region, use lamps or other additional light equipment. Keep the temperature of the seedlings in the range of 15-17 ° C during the day and about 10 degrees at night.
It is recommended to water the beds with water, the temperature of which is as close as possible to the temperature of the soil. Do not over-moisten or over-dry the soil. After moistening the soil, carry out its loosening, which will not allow a dense crust to form on the surface, allow moisture to stay inside the soil for longer and will prevent the occurrence of rot.
To strengthen the immunity of seedlings, stimulate growth and vegetation, apply fertilizers:
- First feeding 4-5 days after diving. In 5 liters of water, dissolve 10 g of ammonium nitrate or urea and 20 g of superphosphate. The feeding rate is 1-2 tbsp. l under the bush.
- The second feeding of seedlings is carried out after 12-15 days from the dive. The composition of the solution remains the same, but double the fertilizer concentration.
- A few days before replanting young seedlings, feed them by mixing:
- water - 5 l;
- potassium salt - 40 g;
- superphosphate - 25 g;
- ammonium nitrate - 15 g.
Before applying nutrition, moisten the soil so that top dressing does not burn the root system.
10-14 days before transplanting seedlings in open ground, begin hardening cabbage. To do this, gradually lower the temperature in the room where the seedlings are. First leave the vents open, then identify the plants by day on the balcony, and then leave them at night.
The main thing is to temper gradually so that the plants do not die from the cold. A couple of days before planting, leave pots with seedlings on the street, while reducing watering, but make sure that the soil does not become too dry.
Dive into individual pots
With a dense landing of young seedlings, a dive procedure is necessary. This is the planting of each plant in separate larger containers, so that the seedlings have enough nutrition, space for development and its subsequent preparation for transfer to open ground.
Diving is carried out 7-10 days after the appearance of active seedlings, when cotyledon leaves develop. Water the seedlings so as not to damage it when removed from the ground. Shorten the roots one third of the length before transplanting. This will provoke the growth of the root system and plants will more likely take root in the garden.
At the end of the dive, for the first few days, determine the seedlings away from direct sunlight. Keep it warm (approximately 17-19 ° C). After 4-5 days, the temperature can be lowered to 13-15 ° C.
Planting Savoy cabbage seedlings in open ground
The seedlings transferred to the garden need to optimize the conditions for their growth and to take subsequent care measures to ensure the formation of a healthy, tasty head.
When to plant seedlings on the site?
The seedling planting time is determined by the regional location and climate of the growing place. On average, these works are carried out in May. It is important that the seedlings have time to form and mature to the desired level, which is determined by:
- healthy appearance of plants with a height of at least 15 cm;
- the presence of 4-5 leaves;
- lack of spots and cracks on the stem;
- well developed root system.
Place for Savoy Cabbage
When determining the area intended for cultivation of savoy cabbage, think over and consider the rotation and the proximity to other plants. If last season cruciferous family crops (radishes, turnips, radishes, etc.) were grown in the garden, then it is advisable to provide for a different area. The best predecessors: legumes, grains, potatoes, onions, cucumbers and tomatoes.
Choose a site that is bright and well ventilated. Remember that Savoy cabbage requires a significant area for vegetation, and it prefers soil with a weak acid reaction. Therefore, if necessary, chalk the soil in the area.
Site preparation should be done immediately after the completion of the previous harvest season. Dig beds, making organic or mineral fertilizers. Compost, humus, chicken droppings, potassium salt and superphosphate are best suited for this. Nitrogen dressing should be postponed until spring.
Landing process and layout
Break the site into holes, staggering them, observing a distance between them of at least 40 cm. The depth of the planting recess is determined by the height of the peat pot or earthen coma seedlings.
Moisten the wells, place the plant in it and sprinkle with soil. Water it. Top with the first sheet of mulch. This will protect the soil from drying out and subsequently become a source of additional micro and macro elements for the vegetable crop.
To make the plants more likely to accept and adapt, protect them from the sun by shading them with a special mesh or other structures.
Care and growing Savoy cabbage
Caring for this vegetable crop does not differ in complexity or special skills and knowledge. Activities are similar to the care of white cabbage.
Watering, weeding, cultivating and hilling
Throughout the growing season of the headed head, watering is recommended in a moderate dosage. When the site is waterlogged, the risk of fungal diseases increases significantly.Excessive watering leads to cracking of the cabbage head, and will also attract slugs and snails.
When pouring the cabbage head, do not use the root method, but the root method of irrigation.
Mash weeds in time to prevent nutrients from being consumed. In addition, weeds are sources of disease infection.
Hilling and cultivation promotes aeration of the soil, favorably affects the growth of roots, and prevents leaching of the soil and their exposure. During mechanical work with the ground near the root system, possible pest larvae are destroyed.
Fertilizer application
When growing in open ground, nutrients are even more necessary for Savoy cabbage, especially at the stage of head formation and filling. Feed it at the beginning of the heading period with 10% mullein solution or a complex mineral fertilizer. You can cook it yourself by mixing in a bucket of water:
- superphosphate - 35-40 g;
- potassium salt - 20 g;
- urea or ammonium nitrate - 20 g.
The second feeding is possible in 10-15 days from the first. The norms of top dressing in its composition increase by 50%.
Nitrogen deficiency is determined by the yellowing and death of the lower leaves. If the general color of the cabbage changes, acquiring lighter shades, then this indicates the need for potash nutrition. An excess of phosphorus in the soil entails the early departure of cabbage into bloom.
Be careful about determining the types of top dressing and the amount of their application. A disadvantage, like a surplus entail negative consequences.
Treatment and protection against diseases and pests
Savoy cabbage hybrids are resistant to diseases and parasitic insects. But it is worth knowing how to prevent and what protective measures to take from such misfortunes as:
- fungal infections;
- mosaic;
- bedbugs;
- fleas;
- slugs;
- aphids, etc.
Prevention consists in dusting cabbage beds every 2 weeks with chalk flour, wood ash or colloidal sulfur. It is useful to spray the seedlings with a solution of manganese, whey with iodine (5 drops per 5 l) or 10% kefir solution.
In the early stages of fungal diseases, the removal of affected plants from the garden and their burning helps. Subsequent treatment with Fundazol, Bordeaux mixture or Fitosporin-M will protect the rest of the cabbage.
It is preferable to deal with cabbage insect pests by folk methods, create barriers to access to vegetable crops or create conditions for repelling parasites. These methods include:
- spraying with ash solution, infusion of tomato tops or tobacco with the addition of laundry soap;
- planting next to cabbage of peppermint, marigolds, onions, etc .;
- manual collection of caterpillars and slugs and other methods.
If the problem is started, then only targeted chemicals can help, work with which should be carried out according to the instructions for the drugs and the observance of precautionary methods.
More about diseases and pests of cabbage is written here.
Harvesting and storing Savoy cabbage
The first harvest of early ripe Savoy cabbage ripens by mid-summer. Such heads are not suitable for storage. To preserve a delicious and healthy vegetable of later varieties, you need to follow some rules:
- Do not rush with cleaning. The heads can be left on the plant until the first frost, reaching a temperature of -6 ° C.
- Harvest heads of scales over 0.5 kg. The larger the fruit, the longer it will be stored.
- Harvest in dry, cold weather, stopping watering a couple of days before the procedure.
- Cut off the heads along with several covering leaves. They will protect the vegetable from dust, dirt, keep moisture inside.
To store the head sprinkle with crushed chalk, and shorten the stump. Lay the vegetables on dry shelves with the cut up, observing the distance between the heads of cabbage. Make sure that there are no fungi, rodents in the room.
The optimal conditions for the preservation of Savoy cabbage are determined by the level of humidity of 90-95%, and the temperature regime from -3 to +3 ° С.
Lace cabbage is a real competitor to white cabbage. This vegetable is easy to grow and very useful when eaten. Do not be afraid of an unknown name, cultivation will not be difficult, and compliance with the rules and terms of agricultural technology will lead to a rich harvest.