How to grow kale? Beginners need to master these key points

Kale is mainly distributed in temperate regions. It is grown more extensively in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and the US, with a wide variety of cultivars, including ornamental kale and culinary kale. In China, the history of introducing and cultivating it is not long; especially ornamental kale has only been grown in small quantities in the past dozen years or so, and only in large and medium-sized cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Let's take a look at the key points of kale cultivation below.

Watering requirements

Kale needs water just as it needs feed - minimally. If there is cool-season rainfall each year, kale will get enough natural irrigation to carry it through the growing season, but you still need to check the depth of moisture to make sure it stays moist to a depth of 3 cm. After kale grows to 10 to 15 cm tall, mulch the plants with bark mulch or wood chips, keeping it 3 cm away from the base of the kale. If you live in a dry area, water once a week to maintain a moist depth of 3 cm throughout the growing season, and check often when the plants begin to leaf out. Over-irrigating kale can cause rot and bacterial growth, so do not let the plants sit in water. Kale tolerates humid environments, but do not disturb the leaves, to reduce the spread of fungal spores.

Water and fertilizer management

Kale is a plant with high fertilizer and water needs, so the choice of growing medium for kale is very important. Generally, the medium is a mix of several media that are loose, breathable, water-retentive, and fertilizer-retentive. An organic fertilizer such as chicken manure can be added appropriately as a base fertilizer. During the growing period, generally use 200 ppm of a 20-10-20 fertilizer, applied once every 7 days.

Thinning and pruning

Kale holds its own in the garden and needs very little pruning. Watch for weeds, and pull them by hand as needed. If weeds become a problem, hoe them out. When kale grows to about 15 cm tall, thin it to 45 cm spacing; cut the stems to reduce pressure on the roots, and use sterile hand pruners when pruning.

Common pests and diseases

Although kale is not immune to disease, it usually only needs treatment with a low-toxicity organic fungicide. When you notice brown or black spots on the leaves, leaf drop, or wilting and spotting, spray both sides of the leaves every 10 days with a prepared 10% copper octanoate until symptoms subside. Kale is a paradise for chewing insects such as leafhoppers and cabbage looper moths. You will also find aphids, but you can usually spray them off with a hose if you find them in large numbers. If you find irregular jagged holes in the leaves, spray both sides of the leaves once a week with 10 to 20 ml of 15% Bacillus thuringiensis mixed into 4 liters of water. You can also pick looper caterpillars and other caterpillars off the leaves and crush them.

How to grow kale: kale cultivation methods and techniques

Growing plants can cultivate your character, while also increasing the liveliness of the indoors and improving the air. Many plants are suitable for indoor growing, and kale is one of them. Let's learn below how to grow kale, and what to do if kale leaves turn yellow. How to grow kale

1. How to grow kale——Temperature

Kale is a plant that likes warmth and cannot tolerate cold. Growing kale in winter is relatively difficult. If you grow it in winter, you need to pay attention to keeping kale warm at a constant temperature; kale cannot endure cold. If the growing temperature for kale falls below zero degrees, it will freeze to death. Therefore, to grow kale well, you need sufficient temperature.

2. How to grow kale——Watering

Kale likes moisture, so the simplest method is to water more; in winter, water less to prevent waterlogging and root rot. In cold temperature conditions, pay attention to keeping warm and watering at the same time, otherwise the water will condense and directly cause freeze damage to kale.

3. How to grow kale——Fertilizer

Kale needs organic fertilizer; applying a light fertilizer once every one or two months is enough. In winter, kale either grows slowly or begins dormancy, so it is more reasonable to reduce the frequency and amount of fertilization at this time.

4. What to do if kale leaves turn yellow

A relatively suitable way to improve yellowing kale leaves is to reduce watering, while giving it more sun and fertilizing appropriately.

An introduction to kale cultivation techniques

Do you know about kale? Let me introduce it to you below! Kale is a garden variety of edible cabbage, which is why it looks so much like cauliflower! Its garden cultivars come in diverse forms,
not like the cabbage used at home! Like people, it has tall ones and short ones; and there are many, many colors too! Want to know more about kale cultivation techniques? Read on carefully!

Temperature control is very important

Do you know what other name kale has? You don't know, do you! Let me tell you! Because kale is very beautiful, it also has another name, leaf peony. It is not only beautiful on the outside, but also very strong on the inside! Its best ornamental period is in winter, when there are few flowers and little greenery outdoors, so it is loved by many home gardening enthusiasts. And what temperature is needed to grow kale? Let me tell you below! Kale likes a cool and mild climate, is cold-tolerant, tolerates high temperatures relatively well at the seedling stage, and in winter is cold-tolerant and freeze-tolerant. Now do you understand? Do you think growing kale is very simple?

Turning kale into a bonsai

Friends, are you surprised? It turns out kale can also be grown as a bonsai, are you shocked? Using kale as a bonsai is actually very simple! If you are a bonsai enthusiast, you can use this old stump stem to make a kale bonsai. Although the resulting kale bonsai cannot compare with tree-stump bonsai in elegance and longevity, it still has its own special charm! It looks like another kind of scenery!

How do kale cuttings take root

Do you want to grow more and more kale? Take a look below! In spring, after kale blooms, do not pull it out and throw it away; fallen blossoms are not heartless things! Instead, continue watering and fertilizing and keep growing it. After the flowers fade, the old stem will sprout a large number of tiller buds again; water and manage normally until autumn. Kale cuttings actually take root easily: they begin to root in one week, and can be transplanted into pots in two weeks. Have you learned it? Grow more and more kale! Giving them to friends is also great!

Cultivating with love

Actually, no matter what variety of flower you grow, as long as you grow it with love and care, there will always be results. And kale is originally a flower with a very high survival rate, so you have even less to worry about. Control the temperature well every day, and do not overwater; just keep it moist! Let me tell you a little secret too: kale in a vase, in an indoor setting, takes root very easily; if placed in a bright room, it can last two or three months! Don't tell anyone! Our secret!

The significance of growing kale

Now that so much has been introduced above about kale cultivation techniques, do you know the significance and role of growing kale? As a kale grower, this is something you must know! Besides being very beautiful when grown and able to be appreciated as a bonsai, kale can also be eaten! Its nutritional value is very high! Foreigners like to use kale to make salads!

Conclusion:If you are a beginner at growing flowers, then grow kale; if you are an experienced flower grower, how can you not grow kale? Get started right away, and with your love grow a kale that belongs exclusively to you!