Broccoli Seed Prices and Planting Methods Explained in Detail

Broccoli, also known as green cauliflower, green broccoli, and green-sprouting broccoli, is a biennial herbaceous plant of the genus Brassica in the crucifer family (Brassicaceae). It originated along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean and was introduced to China at the end of the 19th century. It was first grown in Taiwan, China, and later cultivated in Guangdong, Fujian, Yunnan, Beijing, Shanghai, and other places as well. It is now grown throughout northern and southern China. Below is an introduction to broccoli seed prices and planting methods.

I. How much does broccoli seed cost per gram

The price of broccoli seeds is about 12 to 20 yuan per gram, but prices vary greatly depending on seed quality, variety, place of origin, and the market. For production, choose broccoli varieties with strong plant growth, deep green flower buds, few scorched buds, arc-shaped round heads, few side shoots, small buds, large heads, disease resistance, heat tolerance, cold tolerance, and wide adaptability, such as Youxiu, Longlü, Shanshui, Yuguan, Dongfang Lüb ao, Wanlü, and Lüxiu, but they must meet the national grade-two seed standard before use.

II. What varieties of broccoli are there

1. Youxiu

An early-maturing variety with a mushroom-shaped head and a relatively prominent top, dark green in color, with a single head weighing 350 to 400 grams. The head is firm, the buds are fine, and it has good market quality and fewer side branches. It is suitable for early spring and autumn cultivation.

2. Weilai

An early-maturing variety and an upright type suitable for dense planting. The head is mushroom-shaped, relatively deep green in color, full in shape, and of good market quality. It is suitable for autumn cultivation.

3. Shanshui

A mid-maturing variety with vigorous growth and a large spread. The single head weighs about 500 grams, is semicircular, and the head is tight with fine, blue-green buds. It has relatively poor cold tolerance but strong stress resistance.

4. Lüd aizi

A mid-maturing variety with a single head weighing about 500 grams, vigorous growth, and good quality. It is semicircular and can be used for both main and side heads. With heavy fertilizer and water it tends to become hollow; in high temperature and rainy conditions it easily develops scattered buds, and with frost it easily turns purple.

5. Shenglü

A mid-to-late-maturing variety with vigorous growth and cold tolerance. The single head weighs about 500 grams, is semicircular, with fine buds and deep green color, and is not prone to hollowing.

III. Growing conditions for broccoli

1. Light

Broccoli likes sufficient light. With enough light, the plants grow robustly and can form a strong vegetative body, which is favorable for photosynthesis and nutrient accumulation, making the head firm and dense with a fresh green color and good quality. However, overly strong sunlight in midsummer is also unfavorable for growth and development.

2. Temperature

Broccoli has strong cold and heat tolerance. Within the range of 5 to 20°C, the higher the temperature, the faster it grows and develops. The optimum temperature for germination is 20 to 25°C, for the seedling stage 15 to 20°C, for the rosette stage 20 to 22°C, and for head development 15 to 18°C.

3. Water

Broccoli requires a relatively large amount of water during growth, especially during vigorous leaf growth and head formation, when it must not lack water. However, excessive rain during the seedling stage or excessively high soil moisture can easily cause black rot, black spot, and other diseases. During head formation, the soil moisture should be 70 to 80% of field capacity.

4. Soil

Broccoli is suitable for planting on loam and sandy loam with good drainage and irrigation, a deep plow layer, loose and fertile soil, and strong water- and fertilizer-holding capacity. The pH range is 5.5 to 8, with 6 being best. Throughout the growth process, the N:P:K ratio is 14:5:8.

IV. Sowing methods for broccoli

1. Sowing time

For autumn double-covered cultivation of broccoli, the sowing time is early July; for overwintering cultivation in solar greenhouses, late July to August; for early spring cultivation in solar greenhouses, early September to early October; for early spring cultivation in plastic tunnels and small arched sheds, November; and for spring plastic-film cultivation, January.

2. Seed soaking treatment

Soak broccoli seeds in warm water at 33°C for 15 minutes while stirring constantly. Stop when the water temperature drops to 20°C, then continue soaking in warm water for 4 hours. Rinse clean with clear water and then sprout them.

3. Seed sprouting

Wrap the soaked broccoli seeds in moist cotton gauze and sprout them at 30°C. Rinse once a day with clear water, and sow when 60% of the seeds have sprouted white.

4. Seedbed selection

The broccoli seedling stage is relatively short. Choose a seedbed on land that is high-lying, convenient for drainage and irrigation, rich in soil organic matter, and where cruciferous vegetables have not been grown in the past two years or where the previous crop was rice. A north-south orientation for the seedbed is preferable.

5. Applying sufficient base fertilizer

Before sowing broccoli, deep-plow 15 to 20 days in advance. Seven to 10 days before, apply 15 kg of ternary compound fertilizer plus 5 kg of superphosphate per mu, or splash-apply 2,500 kg of decomposed human manure. Turn and rake the soil fine, and make a sowing bed about 1.2 m wide, with a seedling field ratio of 1:20 to 30.

6. Mixing with chemicals and sowing

Before sowing broccoli, water the seedbed thoroughly once and apply chemicals such as phoxim at 1,000 times dilution. At sowing, mix the seeds evenly with an appropriate amount of sand and broadcast them evenly in the seedbed. After sowing, press down with a shovel, then spread a layer of medicinal soil mixed with 0.1% carbendazim and dexon.

7. Shading and heat preservation

For summer sowing of broccoli, after laying a layer of shade netting flat over the seedbed, set up a small arched shed and cover it with another layer of shade netting for double-layer shading, moisture retention, and cooling during seedling raising. In winter and spring, use one layer of plastic film and one layer of greenhouse film for double-film covering to keep warm during seedling raising.

V. Planting methods for broccoli

1. Land preparation and fertilization

Broccoli roots go relatively shallow into the soil, so it should be planted on fertile soil with good water and fertilizer retention. Generally, per mu use 100 kg of organic fertilizer, 10 kg of urea, 25 kg of compound fertilizer, and 2 kg of borax as base fertilizer. Plow the land, rake it level, open furrows, and apply fertilizer.

2. Reasonable transplanting

When broccoli seedlings have grown to six leaves and one heart, and the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm has steadily passed above 10°C, and the seedling age is 30 to 35 days, they can be transplanted. When transplanting, the soil covering the seedlings must not exceed the cotyledon scar, and certainly must not bury the growing point. After transplanting, water thoroughly.

3. Cultivation management

Within 2 days after transplanting broccoli, promptly inspect the field and fill in missing seedlings, provide sufficient nutrients and water, loosen the soil frequently, keep the lower soil moist, and cultivate appropriately to remove weeds. Generally, cultivate once, combine deep loosening with one topdressing, and remove weeds by hand twice.

4. Topdressing methods

Seven to 10 days after transplanting broccoli, apply 5 kg of urea and 10 kg of potassium sulfate per mu; 15 to 20 days later, apply 25 kg of compound fertilizer and 10 kg of potassium sulfate per mu. In the early stage of head formation, spray once with monopotassium phosphate, boron treasure, or a 0.05 to 0.10% borax and ammonium molybdate solution.

5. Irrigation methods

Broccoli needs a little more water than other crops. Except for the seedling stage, when soil moisture should be properly controlled, sufficient water should be ensured during all other growth and development stages. Generally, use manual furrow irrigation or mechanical sprinkler irrigation, and advanced sprinkler irrigation equipment is best.

6. Removing side branches

For broccoli varieties grown specifically for the terminal head, side branches should be removed before the head appears. For varieties used for both terminal and side heads, more side branches sprout, so generally keep 1 to 2 vigorous upper side branches and remove the rest to reduce nutrient consumption.

7. Temperature management

When broccoli heads begin to form, the normal temperature is around 25°C. High temperatures of 30°C in the field must not continue for more than three days; if they exceed three days, temperature-control measures should be taken, such as manually covering the heads with leaves or using coverings or artificial rain.

8. Pest and disease control

Broccoli is prone to a variety of pests and diseases. After transplanting, promptly investigate and prevent the occurrence of pests and diseases. Use systemic insecticides as preventive agents, and use fumigants and contact-killing agents as control agents once outbreaks occur. Use green, pollution-free pesticides for control.