Content
Snow White cabbage belongs to the universal white cabbage varieties. The variety is distinguished by a late ripening period, and also has many advantages that attract vegetable growers.
Description of cabbage variety Snow White
Cabbage variety Snow White (pictured) forms a small head of cabbage, which is formed by large light green or bluish green leaves up to 16 cm in diameter. Distinctive features are: medium wrinkled surface, slight venation and smooth or slightly wavy edges. Heads of cabbage are dense, shiny; stump is small, round. The flesh is white in cross-section.
The period from emergence to harvesting of heads of cabbage is 4-5 months, that is, when sowing seedlings in April, the first harvest can be obtained in early September.
The Snow White variety is distinguished by high frost resistance, therefore, the culture is able to easily tolerate frosts down to -10 ° C. This significantly extends the harvest time.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Snow White variety is valued for the following qualities:
- excellent seed germination;
- great taste;
- increased resistance of heads of cabbage to cracking;
- large fruit sizes;
- frost resistance, allowing harvesting in late autumn;
- high content of ascorbic acid, sugars and other dry substances;
- versatility of application;
- high (up to 8 months) keeping quality.
The disadvantages include average immunity to diseases and pests. Some gardeners consider the late maturity of heads of cabbage to be a minus, but most of those who grow this crop choose the Snow White variety precisely because of the late maturity and long storage period.
The yield of white cabbage Snow White
Like other late-ripening varieties, Snow White has a high yield. From 1 sq. m harvest 5 - 8, and with good care and 10 kg of cabbage. The average weight of fruits is 4 kg, especially large specimens weigh up to 5 kg.
Planting and caring for Snow White cabbage
Before planting Snow White cabbage in the garden, be sure to drive out the seedlings. The containers are filled with a light soil mixture, into which the previously soaked and disinfected seeds are sown to a depth of 2 cm. You can use common boxes, but it is better to immediately sow seeds in individual (peat) pots.
The land with seeds is well watered, the containers are covered with a film, which is removed when the first shoots appear. Then the temperature in the room is maintained at 8-10 ° C, and with the appearance of the first true leaves, it is raised to 14-16 ° C. If the seedlings are driven out in common boxes, they dive in the phase of two true leaves.
After 1.5-2 months, when the seedlings get stronger, and warm weather sets in, Snow White cabbage is planted in the garden.
The landing site is chosen high, well-lit and protected from the wind. Loam is suitable as a substrate. In the fall, the site is dug up, and on the eve of planting, a soil mixture is prepared from equal parts of garden soil and humus with the addition of a small amount of ash.
The best precursors for cabbage are potatoes, cucumbers, and legumes.Planting cabbage after cruciferous crops is highly undesirable, since plantings can be infected with common diseases and pests.
When planting, the seedlings are buried by about 10 cm.
In the future, the main task will be to regularly water the plantings. During the period of active growth, cabbage is watered about every other day, closer to autumn, the frequency of watering is reduced to twice a week, but the water consumption for each plant is increased by about 1.5 times.
So that after watering the soil does not form a crust, the soil around the plants is loosened. At the same time, weeds are removed and hilling is performed. In the phase of active growth, the procedure is carried out once a week, during the formation of a head of cabbage - 2 times a month. It is very important not to damage the root system, therefore, all manipulations are carried out only in the surface layer of the soil (no deeper than 10 cm).
Top dressing has a positive effect on crop growth and can significantly increase yields. In the first half of the growing season, plants are fertilized with organic compounds (chicken droppings, urea, manure, ammonium nitrate), and when heads are formed - with fertilizers that do not contain nitrogen, for example, ash or nitrophos.
Diseases and pests
Cabbage of the Snow White variety has increased immunity against vascular bacteriosis and fusarium wilt, but can be affected by other diseases. The danger is represented by keela, black leg and peronosporosis. At the first signs of the disease, the affected plants should be removed and the beds treated with a solution of copper sulfate.
Of the insects, Snow White cabbage is more often affected by cruciferous bugs, aphids, cabbage whitewater and stem lurker. Folk methods can become an effective alternative to insecticides in the fight against them: spraying plants with an aqueous solution of liquid soap or processing with tobacco dust.
Application
Although Snow White cabbage is considered a versatile variety, many housewives do not recommend eating it raw due to the stiffness of the leaves. But it is perfect for pickling and pickling. Snow White cabbage can be used to make soups, vegetable side dishes, cabbage rolls, pie fillings and other cooked dishes.
Conclusion
Snow White cabbage is perfect for growing in areas with a long summer - in the south and in central Russia. Like other varieties of this crop, Snow White needs careful care, with the observance of which an excellent harvest is guaranteed.