Baby Cabbage Cultivation Techniques: Key Points and Planting Methods Explained

Baby cabbage looks the same as napa cabbage, but its size is only one quarter to one fifth that of napa cabbage, like a “scaled-down replica” of napa cabbage, which is probably why it is called baby cabbage. So how is baby cabbage cultivated?

Baby Cabbage Cultivation Techniques

Sowing temperature

Baby cabbage is a variety of napa cabbage, and both belong to the semi-cold-tolerant vegetable plants. It tolerates light frost but not severe frost. The most suitable average temperature for growth is (17±5)°C. Growth is poor when the average temperature is above 25°C, and slow when it is below 10°C. Although short-term low temperatures of 0-2°C may cause frost damage, the plant can still recover; long-term growth below -2°C will cause frost damage. The sowing temperature range should be 10-25°C. Sowing in early spring with plastic film mulch can raise soil temperature and allow earlier sowing, achieving the goal of early sowing and early marketing.

Baby Cabbage Variety Selection

The heart leaf color of baby cabbage is roughly divided into 2 types: white heart and yellow heart. The variety color can be selected according to market demand. Generally, colored baby cabbage varieties have a relatively high dry matter content.

Choose varieties with good cold tolerance and bolting resistance. There are many bolting-resistant varieties on the market, such as Gaoliyu Wawa, Mini Star, and Pearl Baby Cabbage. Autumn-planted baby cabbage does not have very strict variety requirements, but for summer sowing, choose disease-resistant varieties with good heat tolerance and early hearting, such as Gaoli Beibei and Kangre 55.

Baby Cabbage Land Preparation and Bed Making

Because baby cabbage has fewer aboveground parts, its root system is smaller than that of ordinary cabbage: choose fertile soil and sandy loam to clay loam with convenient drainage and irrigation. Because the growth period is relatively short, pay attention to the use of base fertilizer. Apply sufficient decomposed organic fertilizer thoroughly, and apply 10-15 kg of compound fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer. In areas with calcium deficiency or alkaline soil, add 15-20 kg of superphosphate to ensure calcium absorption, then plow deeply and rake level. Baby cabbage can be grown on ridges or in beds. Spring and autumn are suitable for bed planting, saving labor and time; summer is suitable for ridge planting, which helps drainage. Bed width is 1-1.2 m.

Baby Cabbage Sowing and Transplanting

With protective facilities, sowing can be arranged throughout the year. However, in spring, pay attention to the risk of bolting caused by low temperatures; in summer, use shade nets to block strong light and reduce high temperatures, and use insect-proof nets to prevent aphids from spreading viral diseases. Baby cabbage can be direct-seeded or raised as seedlings and transplanted. In spring and autumn, when the climate is more suitable, precise sowing can be used, that is, sowing 1-2 seeds per hole, or alternating 2 seeds per hole and 1 seed per hole. The seed rate per mu is 100-150 g. For seedling transplanting, seedlings should be moved with a soil ball at the 3-leaf stage, with a plant spacing of 20×30 cm.

Baby cabbage belongs to the small-plant, medium-high-density leafy vegetable varieties. The 1000-seed weight is generally 3-3.4 g. The seed rate per mu is 80-100 g for direct seeding and 50 g for transplanting. The number of plants per mu is 8000-10000, and a plant spacing of 20 cm×30 cm is more suitable.

Either direct seeding or seedling transplanting can be used. Direct seeding saves labor and is suitable for large-area planting, but requires a larger amount of seed. The advantages of seedling transplanting are: first, for early spring planting, sowing can be 20 days earlier, that is, first raise seedlings in protective facilities, then transplant to open ground after the land warms up, allowing early marketing; second, early seedling raising can achieve the purpose of adding a crop and catching up with the next crop, but it is more labor-intensive. The bed form depends on local customs. Generally, in the south, 4-6 rows make one bed, while in the north, small high beds are mostly used.

Baby Cabbage Plant Management

Baby cabbage management is relatively simple. Two weeks after sowing, thin, finalize, and fill in seedlings, and remove weeds in time. It can be left without seedling hardening, or hardened for only 1 week, after which fertilizer and water management can be strengthened to promote growth. Keep the soil moist, but do not let water accumulate. During the rapid expansion period (heading period), apply 10 kg of urea per mu once.

Fertilizer and water management: Apply sufficient organic fertilizer before sowing, 5000 kg per mu. Keep the soil moist before and after emergence. Before heading, loosen the soil frequently to increase soil aeration and moisture conservation. After heading, supplement water and fertilizer as appropriate to promote robust growth.

Checking and filling seedlings: Direct-seeded fields should be thinned and filled in time; seedling transplanting fields should be planted when there are 3-4 leaves, to avoid root damage when transplanting overly large seedlings.

Baby Cabbage Harvest

When the whole plant is 30-35 cm tall and the head is firm, it can be harvested. At harvest, pull up the whole plant, remove excess outer leaves, trim the base flat, pack with plastic wrap, and it is ready for market.

Baby Cabbage Pest Control

Baby cabbage cultivation is heavily harmed by diamondback moth, especially in spring sowing stubble, where pesticide control should be applied at the beginning of the peak period of young larvae.

Pesticides to use: 1.8% abamectin emulsifiable concentrate 2500-3000 times; 2.5% Caixi suspension concentrate 1500-2000 times; 5% pyrethrin emulsifiable concentrate 1000-1500 times; 2.5% Tianwangxing emulsifiable concentrate 1000-1500 times; 10% Chujin emulsifiable concentrate 1200-1500 times.

Baby cabbage has a short growth period and strong resistance, and generally has no pests or diseases. If pests or diseases are found, control can refer to ordinary napa cabbage pest and disease control.