How to Grow Broccoli: Detailed Guide to Growing Conditions and Methods
In recent years, the market demand for broccoli has been continuously increasing, attracting more and more growers to cultivate it. So what are the growing conditions and methods for broccoli?
1. Broccoli Growing Conditions
1. Planting: The normal planting time for broccoli is to start sowing in autumn, grow through winter, and normally reach the market and the dining table after Spring Festival. It begins to flower in spring, and the seeds mature around April or May.
If raising seedlings in summer and autumn: from August to October, when the temperature is generally above 25°C, sometimes with high temperatures of 30-35°C, along with the risk of heavy rain and hail, so please use a shade net for open-field seedling raising. Lower the temperature.
2. Light: Broccoli needs plenty of sunlight, at least 4-5 hours per day. Sunlight is good for photosynthesis and nutrient accumulation, and makes the curd firm and dense, with a fresh green color and good quality. However, excessively strong sunlight in midsummer is also unfavorable for the growth and development of broccoli. If the light duration is long, pay attention to sun protection measures.
3. Soil: Broccoli likes soil rich in nutrients with good drainage, with a pH of about 6.
4. Fertilizer: Overly fertile soil will cause the flower buds to be loose and the flower stalk to be hollow. It is suitable for planting on loam and sandy loam with good irrigation and drainage, deep plow layer, loose and fertile soil, and strong water and fertilizer retention. In the process of growing broccoli, reasonable fertilization is also essential. One week after transplanting, a seedling-promoting fertilizer can be applied; after three weeks, a high-quality compound fertilizer; after five weeks and seven weeks, apply compound fertilizer again, with the amount depending on the seedling condition of the broccoli.
2. Broccoli Growing Methods
1. Sowing
First put Shuyue nutrient soil into the growing box, water it thoroughly, then use a cola bottle cap to press holes into the soil about 1 cm deep, with a spacing of 30 cm. Then sow the seeds into the holes, 2-3 seeds per hole. After sowing, cover with a thin layer of soil, water, and wait for germination. The suitable temperature for seed germination is about 25°C.
2. Emergence
After sowing, broccoli generally germinates within one week. When broccoli has grown about 5 leaves, you can thin the seedlings according to their growth, keeping only one strong seedling per hole.
3. Management
Broccoli seedlings do not need too much water; just water thoroughly after the soil has dried out completely. The curd formation stage has a high water requirement, so water in time to keep the soil moist. Using Shuyue nutrient soil means no additional fertilizing is needed, but you must ensure broccoli gets sufficient light. Broccoli is relatively cold-tolerant and can also be grown in winter. The maximum temperature should not exceed 25°C, otherwise it will affect the nutritional content of broccoli.
4. Harvest
After about 90 days, broccoli can be harvested. It should be harvested in time when the flower buds have not yet opened, to avoid late harvesting causing the curd to loosen or flower. When harvesting, cut off the lower part of the curd together with about 10 cm of the flower stalk. After harvesting the main curd, the axillary buds of the plant sprout and quickly grow side branches, and side curds form at the tips of the side branches. When the side curds grow to a certain size and the flower buds have not yet opened, they can be harvested again, and can be harvested successively 2-3 times.
Tips: Broccoli is a vegetable that prefers cool conditions. Choose varieties with strong plant growth vigor, dark green flower buds, few scorched buds, arc-shaped round curds, few side buds, small buds, large curds, disease resistance, heat tolerance, cold tolerance, and wide adaptability. For example: Japan's Youxiu, Longlu, Shanshui, and other varieties such as Yuguan, Dongfang Lubao, Wanlu, Luxiu, etc., or choose various high-quality varieties according to market demand. However, they must meet the national grade-two seed standard before use.