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Each summer resident tries to make the most of his site. Vegetables of different types and varieties are grown. However, not everyone tends to plant cabbage, fearing the difficulty of leaving. But it's not in vain that breeders are constantly working. New varieties of cabbage have a stable immunity to diseases and high yields.
Description of the variety
Cabbage Atria is a hybrid of the White Cabbage variety. Atria stands out for good leaf plasticity, productivity and excellent standing. Variety Atria refers to medium late, ripening three months after planting the shoots or 137-141 days after germination of seeds in open soil.
As a result of active growth, juicy-elastic heads of blue-greenish color ripen (as in the photo). The head weight can reach 4-8 kg. Atria is characterized by good preservation on the ground under various weather conditions and tolerates transportation with dignity.
Provided the appropriate storage conditions are provided, the vegetable retains its excellent taste for about six months.
Planting and leaving
For growing Atria cabbage, two methods are used: sowing in the ground and planting seedlings. Given the ripening time of this variety, it is recommended in the southern regions to immediately sow seeds at their summer cottage, and gardeners in the northern regions should give preference to planting seedlings.
Growing seedlings
In order not to waste time and get good seedlings of Atria cabbage, it is better to first make sure that the seeds are germinating. First, the seed is hardened: it is kept for 10-15 minutes in hot water, and then immersed in cold water for a minute. At night, the seed is soaked in a solution of nitroammofoska and washed in the morning. To ensure the quality of the planting material, it is wrapped in a wet cloth and placed in a warm place for five days. The canvas should not be allowed to dry, so the fabric is periodically moistened. On the fifth day, you can check the germination of seeds. Non-sprouted grains are simply thrown away.
For this, a special composition or solution of potassium permanganate is used. This preventive measure will protect the sprouts from infection and disease.
Growing seedlings is carried out in several stages.
- A fertile soil mixture is being prepared. To do this, mix the earth, peat, clean sand. It is also recommended to add superphosphate and ash to provide the seedlings with nutrition.
- On the surface of the moistened soil, holes are marked (one centimeter deep) at a centimeter distance from each other.
- Sprouted grains are laid in the pits, covered with earth and lightly pressed. The box can be covered with foil and removed to a warm room (with a temperature of at least + 18˚C).
- Seeds usually germinate in 4-5 days. At this stage of development, the optimum temperature for the growth of seedlings of the Atria variety is considered to be + 7˚ C. If this requirement is not observed and the seedlings are left warm, they may die.
- As soon as several leaves appear on the seedlings of Atria (about 9-10 days later), you can proceed to the stage of planting the shoots in separate pots. A universal option as separate containers is a peat pot.
- The dishes are filled with soil containing mineral fertilizers. In order not to damage the seedlings during transplantation, it is advisable to use a stick or a teaspoon.
- In separate containers, Atria cabbage grows for 19-24 days. Ten days after the transplant, they begin to harden the seedlings.For this purpose, containers are taken out into the street for a short time. The period of stay of seedlings on the street is increased every day. Immediately before transplanting cabbage into open ground, it should be outside for the whole day.
The most suitable period for planting seedlings in the garden is May 10-20. There is no longer any threat of night frosts, and the soil warms up to a suitable temperature.
Watering cabbage
For confident growth and high-quality formation of the Atria head of cabbage, it is recommended to properly water the culture. Cabbage is a moisture-loving plant. Therefore, for some time after planting, the seedlings are watered every two to three days.
After 12-14 days, you can reduce the frequency to once a week.
Atria variety especially needs regular watering at the stage of heading formation. In order for the plant to grow normally, it is advisable to use warm water for irrigation, not lower than + 18˚ С.
An important care procedure for Atria cabbage is the constant loosening of the soil to ensure aeration of the roots.
Soil fertilization
To obtain a full and good harvest, Atria cabbage is regularly fed. Recommended soil fertilization schedule:
- 20 days after transplanting seedlings. The solution "Effekton" is used;
- ten days after the first feeding. Fertilizer "Kemir" is used;
- June - a mixture of mineral fertilizers is used (superphosphate and potassium sulfate);
- August - (about three weeks before the harvest of Atria, a solution of nitrophoska is introduced).
So that the nutrient mixtures do not damage the cabbage root system, fertilizers are applied to wet soil (it is advisable to choose a cloudy day).
Harvesting
If you correctly harvest the Atria cabbage variety and provide suitable storage conditions, then the heads of cabbage will lie perfectly all winter and early spring. A distinctive feature of the Atria variety is to gain juiciness during storage.
If the Atria cabbage is not planned to be dug up, then a sharp knife will be needed to cut the vegetable. When harvesting, a fruit leg is left with a height of 3-5 cm. It is advisable to pluck the lower leaves immediately.
To ensure good preservation, vegetables are left in the fresh air for a while - so that the upper green foliage will plant.
If the Atria cabbage is dug up, then the root system is immediately thoroughly cleaned of the earth. The yellowed lower leaves break off. Heads of cabbage are also left in the garden to dry the roots and root leg. The best way to store a vegetable in the basement is to hang a head of Atria cabbage by the root.
So that various diseases do not develop in the soil, the site is carefully cleaned after harvest. The roots and basal legs of the heads of cabbage are dug out, the torn lower leaves are collected.
Diseases and pests of cabbage
Fusarium is a fungal disease that causes wilting of cabbage. Signs of the disease - foliage turns yellow and withers. Heads of cabbage are small and misshapen. Diseased plants must be removed from the site. The remaining cabbage is pollinated by the fungicides Benomil, Tecto. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to carefully remove all plant residues from the soil. It is undesirable to plant cabbage in one area for several seasons in a row.
Turnips Mosaic is a virus. Affected vegetables are covered with light green spots. As a result of the disease, cabbage leaves fall off. The virus is carried by harmful insects (aphids, ticks). Fighting the disease with insecticides is useless.Therefore, the main attention is paid to prevention: diseased plants are removed along with part of the soil, weeds are carefully weeded out, seeds of the Atria variety must be disinfected before planting.
The main crop pest is cabbage aphid. The insect feeds on cabbage juice and gradually depletes the vegetable. Aphid colonies settle on young cabbage in spring. To destroy pests, use Karbofos, Iskra. As a preventive measure, you can sow tobacco or plant garlic around the perimeter of cabbage planting - aphids do not tolerate strong odors.
Gardeners appreciate Atria cabbage for its unpretentiousness, high yield, good keeping quality, excellent taste.