Do Chinese cabbages need to be watered immediately after fertilizing?

Summary: Do Chinese cabbages need to be watered immediately after fertilizing?

Chinese cabbage is the vegetable we eat most often in winter, and I personally like it very much. Not only is it cheap, but it can be prepared in many different ways, and every one of them tastes delicious. We are currently in the growing season for Chinese cabbage, so here I would like to discuss the water and fertilizer management of Chinese cabbage with everyone.

Do Chinese cabbages need to be watered promptly after fertilizing?

In fact, whether Chinese cabbage needs to be watered directly after fertilizing is a question that must be discussed according to the local growing environment and growing habits. According to general growing habits, most growers combine fertilizing and watering, which helps the Chinese cabbage absorb the fertilizer better and can reduce the occurrence of fertilizer burn caused by too much chemical fertilizer. However, some growers do not water promptly after fertilizing, and the effect is actually not particularly significant; the key is still the water and fertilizer management throughout the entire growing process. Water and fertilizer are still very important during the growth of Chinese cabbage.

The water and fertilizer issues of Chinese cabbage

Chinese cabbage has a very large fertilizer requirement. During its growth, the nutrient it needs most is potassium fertilizer, followed by nitrogen fertilizer and phosphorus fertilizer. The fertilizer requirement of Chinese cabbage is not very obvious at the seedling stage, but when it enters the rosette stage and the final head-forming stage, its demand for fertilizer is very strong. Only scientific and reasonable fertilization can ensure good growth of Chinese cabbage later on.

First is the issue of base fertilizer. Base fertilizer is generally mainly organic fertilizer, and the amount used needs to take many factors into consideration, such as the target yield of the Chinese cabbage and the fertility of the soil. Under normal circumstances, about 5,000 kg of barnyard manure is applied per mu, along with chemical fertilizers: about 5 kg of urea, about 15 kg of diammonium phosphate, and about 8 kg of potassium sulfate per mu.

Topdressing for Chinese cabbage is generally carried out in three applications. The first is at the seedling stage of Chinese cabbage, the second is at the rosette stage, and the third is at the head-forming stage. The fertilizer and water requirements differ at each stage. Here I will explain them separately.

First is the seedling stage. The fertilizer requirement of Chinese cabbage at the seedling stage is not very large. The first is the seedling-promoting fertilizer, generally applied when the Chinese cabbage has grown three to four true leaves. At this time, according to the growth condition of the Chinese cabbage seedlings, about 5 kg of ammonium sulfate is generally applied per mu, and watering should be carried out immediately after fertilizing. The second topdressing at the seedling stage is generally carried out about ten days after transplanting, usually applying 5 kg of urea, preferably buried in a shallow ditch beside the Chinese cabbage.

Next is the rosette stage of Chinese cabbage. During this period, the fertilizer requirement increases noticeably. During this time, about 20 kg per mu of a three-element compound fertilizer is generally applied as topdressing. After fertilizing, it is best to water as well, to avoid a water shortage in the Chinese cabbage that could cause fertilizer burn.

Finally is the head-forming stage of Chinese cabbage. During this period, potassium fertilizer is mainly used to promote head formation. Generally, about 10 kg of urea and about 10 kg of potassium sulfate are applied as topdressing per mu. The weather during this period is relatively cold, so excessive watering is not suitable; therefore, when watering, it is best to use light irrigation. In addition, it is best to stop watering about one week before harvest.

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