Latest Organic Cauliflower Planting Techniques and Methods Tutorial
Cauliflower is also known as cauliflower, cauliflower, and cauliflower; it is a variety of the cruciferous Brassica genus plant cabbage, native to the Mediterranean coast, with a white flower head at the top similar to the head of broccoli, and its product organ is the curd formed by the aggregation of pure white, shortened, plump and tender flower buds, flower branches, and flower stems. Now let us take a look at the planting techniques for organic cauliflower!
Planting Conditions for Organic Cauliflower
Cauliflower has a well-developed root system and strong regeneration ability, making it suitable for seedling raising and transplanting. It is susceptible to freezing damage below 0°C, and it is difficult to form curds above 25°C. Leaf cluster growth and bolting and flowering require warmth, with an optimum temperature of 20-25°C. Curd formation must go through a low-temperature vernalization stage. It does not have strict requirements for light conditions, but has relatively strict requirements for moisture, being neither tolerant of waterlogging nor drought. It has strong adaptability to soil, but sandy loam soil with high organic matter and deep soil layers is best. The suitable soil pH is 5.5-6.6. It has strong salt tolerance and can still grow normally in soil with a salt content of 0.3-0.5%.
Seedling Raising Techniques for Organic Cauliflower
1. Planting time: Cauliflower is mostly planted in spring and autumn each year. Most areas of North China are very suitable for people to plant organic cauliflower in autumn. When planting in autumn, sowing can be done in mid-July, planting in August, and harvesting in late October and early November. If choosing to plant in spring, sowing should be done in late January, planting in late March, and harvesting in late May and early June.
2. Seed treatment: Seed disinfection is a relatively economical and effective method to prevent cauliflower diseases and pests. Seeds should be treated with natural substance disinfection and warm water soaking techniques. For natural substance disinfection, soak in 300 times diluted potassium permanganate solution for 2 hours, 200 times diluted wood vinegar solution for 3 hours, 100 times diluted lime water for 1 hour, or 100 times diluted copper sulfate for 1 hour, then soak in warm water for 4 hours after disinfection.
3. Seedbed disinfection: Organic cauliflower planting sites generally use physical or natural substances for soil disinfection. Soil disinfection substances can use 3-5 degrees Baume lime sulfur mixture, 100 times diluted crystalline lime sulfur mixture, 30-50 kg quicklime, or 100 times diluted potassium permanganate or 50 times diluted wood vinegar solution for spray disinfection of the seedbed.
4. Cultivating strong seedlings: For autumn planting, rain-proof shaded sheds can be used for sowing and seedling raising. First prepare nutrient soil, water the seedling bed thoroughly, sow seeds by broadcasting or dibbling, cover with soil and plastic film. 20-25 grams of seeds are needed per mu, and the seedling bed should be 4-5 sq m. After emergence, keep the bed surface moist, and pay attention to rain protection, weeding, and thinning. When seedlings are weak, apply 30% biogas slurry 2-3 times. For spring planting, use cold frames for seedling raising. After sowing until emergence, the seedbed should not be ventilated, with daytime temperature around 25°C and nighttime around 15°C. After emergence, ventilate appropriately, with daytime 20-25°C and nighttime 10-15°C. Harden the seedlings 1 week before transplanting.
Planting Techniques for Organic Cauliflower
1. Land preparation and transplanting: Apply 5000 kg of fully decomposed organic fertilizer per mu, deep plow, rake level, and make beds. North China generally uses flat beds for planting, with a bed width of 1.4-1.5 m, planting two rows of cauliflower per bed. Early-maturing varieties have a plant spacing of 32-37 cm, mid-maturing varieties 40-45 cm, and late-maturing varieties 50-60 cm. Autumn planting density is low, and spring planting density is high.
2. Temperature management: Temperature should be managed according to seasonal climate changes, room temperature changes, and cauliflower growth requirements for daily management such as heat preservation, cold protection, and ventilation, mastering the timing and amount of ventilation. During the period from transplanting to seedling recovery, keep warm and moist, with daytime temperature at 25°C and nighttime temperature at 15-20°C. From seedling recovery to the emergence of small curds is the leaf cluster growth period, with daytime temperature maintained at 20-25°C and nighttime temperature maintained at around 15°C. The curd formation period requires cool climate conditions, with daytime temperature of 20-22°C and nighttime temperature of 10-15°C.
3. Water and fertilizer management: The principle of water and fertilizer management after cauliflower transplanting is to promote seedlings in the early stage, prompting plants to recover quickly and form rosettes early; control water and fertilizer in the middle stage to promote root development; and promote budding in the later stage to promote curd expansion. Generally, topdressing is focused 3 times: the first 7-15 days after transplanting, the second 30-40 days after transplanting when plants have 15-17 true leaves, and the third when plants begin to bud. Each time, apply 1000 kg of high-quality organic fertilizer per mu or irrigate with 25% biogas slurry. During the curd formation period, 30% biogas slurry can be used for foliar topdressing.
4. Moisture retention and branch pruning: The soil should be kept moist throughout the cauliflower growing period, especially during the curd enlargement period when water must not be lacking. But cauliflower is also afraid of waterlogging, so drainage should be noted during the growing period. Cauliflower easily produces side branches. Before harvesting the main curd, side branches should be removed, or when most main curds grow to 12-16 cm, 3-4 side branches can be appropriately retained. Frequently clean dust from the film to keep it clean, improve light transmittance, and ensure normal growth of cauliflower.
5. Pest and disease control: Organic cauliflower will also have some pests and diseases during the growing period. If not handled in time, they will reduce yield and also affect the quality of organic cauliflower. Cabbage caterpillars and diamondback moths are common pests and diseases when planting organic cauliflower. After they occur, vegetable farmers should use Bacillus thuringiensis for control. If aphids appear on organic cauliflower, 1% soap solution can be used for control. In addition, when planting organic cauliflower, in order to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases, net house cultivation can also be used for planting.
6. Timely harvesting: The harvest period for organic curds is relatively strict. Harvesting must be timely and prompt. The harvest standard is that the curd has fully grown, the surface is round and neat, the edges have not yet spread, the curd is relatively firm, and the color is deep green. For some varieties, after harvesting the main curd, side curds can also be harvested 2-4 times.