How to Grow Kohlrabi? A Complete Guide to the Latest Planting Methods
Kohlrabi is a common vegetable in our daily lives, but it usually appears on our dining tables in pickled form. Kohlrabi is prepared much like pickled dried radish strips - it can be eaten directly, and of course it can also be stir-fried. Kohlrabi is widely distributed in China and can basically be grown all over the country. Let's learn about how to grow kohlrabi together below.
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
Kohlrabi prefers cool and moist conditions, but it has poor cold and drought resistance, which means that soil temperatures that are too high or too low, or conditions that are too dry or too wet, are all unsuitable for kohlrabi growth. When choosing a planting site, fields generally used for growing napa cabbage can also be used for kohlrabi, but what we need to pay attention to is the improvement of the land. We need to ensure there is proper moisture in the field, and at the same time reasonably control the temperature of the planting site. The soil layer at the planting site should be deep and the soil texture loose, which is beneficial to the growth of the kohlrabi tubers.
2. Sowing and Raising Seedlings
Before planting kohlrabi, the seedlings need to be raised first. First we need to select the seeds, then sun-dry the selected plump seeds, and finally soak the seeds in water. After the seeds have fully absorbed water, take them out and place them in an environment at a temperature of around 25°C to germinate. When most of the seeds have cracked open and grown white dots, we can sow them. Sowing can be done in two ways: direct sowing or drilling. Note that the seeds must be buried in the soil, so as not to affect the germination rate of the seeds.
3. Transplanting and Setting Out
The time from sowing to seedling emergence for kohlrabi is generally 3 to 15 days, depending on the sowing season. When the kohlrabi seedlings have grown to about 10 to 15 cm, we can pull up the seedlings and transplant them. When pulling up the seedlings, control your strength; it is best to water before pulling up the seedlings so that the soil becomes loose and moist, which makes it less likely to damage the seedlings and thus improves their survival rate. When planting, set them out at a density of 50 cm between rows and 40 cm between plants, to ensure the yield and quality of the kohlrabi.
4. Cultivation Management
After the kohlrabi is set out, we should water once, which allows it to adapt to the new environment more quickly and grow new roots. Within 10 days after setting out, check the survival of the seedlings in the field, replant missing seedlings in time, and carry out the first topdressing and intertillage weeding, to promote the growth of the kohlrabi seedlings and improve nutrient use efficiency. Because kohlrabi has a relatively large water requirement, it generally needs to be watered about once every 3 days. To promote the enlargement of the underground tubers, we also need to topdress appropriately, mainly with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers; of course, decomposed farmyard manure can also be used directly, and the effect is also very good.
5. Pest and Disease Control
Kohlrabi is a vegetable with strong resistance, and throughout its entire growth process, pests and diseases actually rarely occur. However, due to the planting season, viral disease may appear. For viral disease, we need to strengthen the control of field moisture and combine it with chemical agents for control; for specific agents, you can consult. Next, pay attention to the impact of aphids on kohlrabi; they mainly harm the branches and leaves of kohlrabi, and pyrethroid insecticides can be used for control.
From the above introduction to kohlrabi planting methods, I believe everyone basically has a clear idea now. Of course, there is still a lot that the editor has not covered; due to limited time and energy, the editor has not explained each one in detail. If you have any questions, you can leave a comment below.