How to manage Chinese cabbage during the head-forming stage? Mastering these key points is essential
The head-forming stage of Chinese cabbage is one of the most important growth stages of Chinese cabbage, and it is also the final stage of growing Chinese cabbage. During this period, management of Chinese cabbage must be strengthened. It has a great impact on the final yield and weight of Chinese cabbage, not only enhancing its ornamental value but also effectively improving its commercial value. So when growing Chinese cabbage reaches the final head-forming stage, how should we manage it? Today, the editor brings you the management methods for the head-forming stage of Chinese cabbage. Let's take a look below!
1. Timely topdressing
As just mentioned, the head-forming stage is the most important period in the growth of Chinese cabbage. At this time, the nutritional needs of Chinese cabbage increase, and the amount of fertilizer required also increases. At this time, topdressing should be carried out in a timely manner, because the head-forming stage is usually in autumn and winter, when the temperature is relatively low, so the fertilizer used for topdressing should preferably be quick-acting fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, and the amount of topdressing should be determined according to actual conditions. It should be applied at least twice, but it must not be applied directly. Instead, the fertilizer should be mixed with water and applied by watering. Excessive topdressing must not be applied, to prevent excessive nutrients from causing excessive vegetative growth in Chinese cabbage.
2. Reasonable watering
After entering the head-forming stage, the soil must be kept moist at all times. If lack of water causes the surface to dry and crack, Chinese cabbage cannot grow, resulting in failure to form heads. In the early part of the head-forming stage, Chinese cabbage has a relatively high demand for water, so water should be replenished in a timely manner to ensure sufficient moisture. However, the amount of watering should be regular and quantitative, and it must not be allowed to alternate between dry and wet or vary in amount. At the first watering during the head-forming stage, a small amount of water should be applied; too much water will harm Chinese cabbage. Then water again after an interval of one week, with the amount of watering determined according to the soil area and moisture content.
3. Disease control
Chinese cabbage has many diseases and pests, so we must prepare response measures for all diseases and pests, and treat them according to the specific condition after examining the affected Chinese cabbage. Diseases during the head-forming stage generally include black spot and black rot, while pests include aphids, cabbage caterpillars, and so on. Therefore, if we want Chinese cabbage to pass through the head-forming stage smoothly, we must strengthen the prevention and control of diseases and pests, timely clean up diseased and residual plant material in the field, and use chemical spraying for prevention. When spraying, pay attention to even spraying and do not miss any areas, and stop using the chemicals two weeks before harvest.
4. Daily management
At this time, management of the vegetable garden should be strengthened. For Chinese cabbage that is in the head-forming stage, we can tie the leaves. Tying the leaves can enhance the ventilation of the vegetable garden and promote the growth of Chinese cabbage. It can also effectively reduce the incidence of diseases and pests and improve the nutrient absorption and transport capacity of the roots. It can also appropriately increase the surrounding temperature and prevent cold damage caused by excessively low temperatures. However, changes should still be made according to actual conditions. If the planting area is relatively large, tying leaves will consume more labor, but the benefits brought by tying leaves should still be ensured, and management should be strengthened. Only with effort can there be reward.
The above are the management methods during the head-forming stage. In fact, they are just some precautions we take when planting, and they still require us to pay more attention. Watering and fertilizing are indispensable tasks in planting, but it is precisely this kind of work that is most important to the growth of Chinese cabbage, so I hope everyone will take it seriously, otherwise you will be the one who suffers. That is all for today's introduction. For more information, please continue to follow us. Thank you all for your support and reading.