How to Grow Napa Cabbage? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods
Napa cabbage is a vegetable we are all very familiar with. It contains relatively high levels of vitamins and other nutrients. Nowadays there are all kinds of napa cabbage varieties, so the places suitable for growing napa cabbage are also very wide-ranging. It is grown in every part of our country, and nowadays napa cabbage cultivation is not limited to just one season; it can be grown in multiple seasons. So how is napa cabbage grown? Follow along with the editor below to learn the cultivation methods for napa cabbage.
1. Seed Selection and Land Preparation
Selecting napa cabbage seed is actually not as complicated as everyone thinks. Today's napa cabbage seeds all come with clear labels and instructions, so we can select seeds according to the seed instructions, the planting time and the local climate. Secondly, if you are using your own saved seed, it is best to choose seeds that are plump, grow quickly, produce tender leaves, have strong resistance and are free of pests and diseases. Napa cabbage has good adaptability to the environment, but to increase the yield of napa cabbage we can choose to grow it in soil that is fertile, retains water well, drains well, and is loose on top and firm below. When preparing the land, the soil should be leveled and finely broken up, drainage ditches should be opened and ridges should be formed, and base fertilizer should be applied during this period.
2. Sowing and Raising Seedlings
Before sowing and raising seedlings, we must first prepare the seedbed. The seedbed for growing napa cabbage should be on relatively high ground and close to a water source, making watering and drainage convenient. Secondly, the soil should be broken into small granules, then the seedbed should be raked level, watered thoroughly, and then sowing can begin. After that, cover the seeds with a layer of organic decomposed fertilizer, or water them with a slurry of manure and urine, and finally cover the seeds with fine soil. Generally, seedlings will emerge in about four to five days.
3. Reasonable Close Planting
When the napa cabbage seedlings have grown four to five leaves (not counting the first two basal leaves that emerged at the beginning), we can transplant them. When pulling up the seedlings, it is best to pull them up together with the soil around the base, as napa cabbage seedlings handled this way are more likely to survive. On the prepared land, we set them out at a spacing of 35 cm between rows and 30 cm between plants. This makes later field operations convenient and also makes diseases less likely to occur. Here the editor has one more reminder for everyone: after transplanting, if it is a sunny day, remember to water promptly.
4. Field Management
Field management is mainly divided into three stages. The first stage is seedling-stage management of napa cabbage, mainly to promote growth, speed up the growth rate of napa cabbage and shorten its growth cycle. We carry out the first fertilization and intertillage weeding. First we weed and loosen the soil around the napa cabbage, then water it with a slurry of manure and urine. The second stage is rosette-stage management of napa cabbage, the most important part of which is seedling hardening, which in plain terms means promoting rosette growth. We can apply urea and ammonium bicarbonate in holes, combining this with intertillage. The final stage is head-forming management of napa cabbage. We need to carry out scientific management according to the growth pattern of napa cabbage. At this stage we need to fertilize at least three more times, so that nutrients can be fully utilized. At the same time, if necessary, we also need to carry out auxiliary head-forming management for the napa cabbage.
5. Pest and Disease Control
For pest and disease management of napa cabbage, we need to carry out reasonable control according to the different growth stages of napa cabbage. First, at the seedling stage of napa cabbage, we mainly aim to control aphids and cabbage caterpillars. Nowadays there are harmless pesticides we can use to spray for this. Second, at the rosette stage of napa cabbage, in addition to controlling aphids and cabbage caterpillars, there are also some diseases, such as downy mildew, black spot and so on. We need to use specialized chemicals for treatment as well as strengthen field management. Finally, at the head-forming stage of napa cabbage, the main targets are again aphids and cabbage caterpillars. For specific chemicals, please consult a professional.