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Every summer resident tries to make the most of his plot. Various types and varieties of vegetables are grown. However, not everyone wants to plant cabbage, fearing the complexity of care. But it’s not for nothing that breeders are constantly working. New cabbage varieties have stable immunity to diseases and high yields.
Description of the variety
Atria cabbage is a hybrid of the white cabbage variety. Atria is distinguished by its good leaf plasticity, productivity and excellent preservation on the vine. The Atria variety is a medium-late variety, ripening three months after planting sprouts or 137-141 days after seed germination in open soil.
As a result of active growth, juicy-elastic heads of blue-greenish color ripen (as in the photo). The weight of the head can reach 4-8 kg. Atria is characterized by good preservation on the ground under various weather conditions and withstands transportation well.
If appropriate storage conditions are provided, the vegetable retains excellent taste for about six months.
Planting and care
Two methods are used to grow Atria cabbage: sowing in the ground and planting seedlings. Considering the ripening time of this variety, it is recommended that in the southern regions immediately sow the seeds in a summer cottage, and gardeners in the northern regions should give preference to planting seedlings.
Growing seedlings
In order not to waste time and get good Atria cabbage seedlings, it is better to first make sure that the seeds are germinated. First, the seed material is hardened: kept for 10-15 minutes in hot water, and then immersed in cold water for a minute. At night, the seed material is soaked in a solution of nitroammophosphate and washed in the morning. To ensure the quality of the planting material, it is wrapped in a wet cloth and placed in a warm place for five days. The fabric must not be allowed to dry out, so the fabric is periodically moistened. On the fifth day, you can check the germination of seeds. Unsprouted grains are simply thrown away.
For this, a special composition or solution of potassium permanganate is used. Such a preventive measure will protect the sprouts from infections and diseases.
Growing seedlings is carried out in several stages.
- A fertile soil mixture is prepared. To do this, mix soil, peat, and clean sand. To provide seedlings with nutrition, it is also recommended to add superphosphate and ash.
- Holes (one centimeter deep) are marked on the surface of the moistened soil at a distance of a centimeter from each other.
- Sprouted grains are placed in the holes, covered with earth and pressed lightly. The box can be covered with film and stored in a warm room (with a temperature not lower than +18˚ C).
- Seeds usually germinate in 4-5 days. At this stage of development, the optimal temperature for the growth of seedlings of the Atria variety is considered to be +7˚ C. If this requirement is not observed and the seedlings are left warm, they may die.
- As soon as several leaves appear on the Atria seedlings (in about 9-10 days), you can begin the stage of planting the sprouts in separate pots. A universal option for separate containers is a peat pot.
- The dishes are filled with soil containing mineral fertilizers. To avoid damaging the seedlings when replanting, it is advisable to use a stick or a teaspoon.
- In separate containers, Atria cabbage grows for 19-24 days. Ten days after transplantation, they begin to harden the seedlings. For this purpose, containers are taken outside for a short time. Every day the period of stay of seedlings on the street increases. Immediately before transplanting cabbage into open ground, it should be outside all day.
The most suitable period for planting seedlings in a garden plot is May 10-20. There is no longer a threat of night frosts, and the soil warms up to a suitable temperature.
Watering cabbage
For confident growth and high-quality formation of the Atria head, it is recommended to properly water the crop. Cabbage is a moisture-loving plant. Therefore, for some time after planting, the seedlings are watered every two to three days.
After 12-14 days, you can reduce the frequency to once a week.
The Atria variety especially needs regular watering at the head formation stage. In order for the plant to grow normally, it is advisable to use warm water for watering, not lower than +18˚ C.
An important procedure for caring for Atria cabbage is constant loosening of the soil to ensure aeration of the roots.
Soil fertilization
To obtain a full and good harvest, Atria cabbage is regularly fertilized. Recommended soil fertilization schedule:
- 20 days after transplanting the seedlings. The Effekton solution is used;
- ten days after the first application of fertilizing. Fertilizer "Kemir" is used;
- June - a mixture of mineral fertilizers (superphosphate and potassium sulfate) is applied;
- August - (about three weeks before harvesting Atria, a solution of nitrophoska is added).
To prevent nutrient mixtures from damaging the cabbage root system, fertilizers are applied to wet soil (it is advisable to choose a cloudy day).
Harvesting
If you harvest Atria cabbage correctly and provide suitable storage conditions, the heads of cabbage will last well all winter and early spring. A distinctive feature of the Atria variety is that it gains juiciness during storage.
If you do not plan to dig up Atria cabbage, then you will need a sharp knife to cut the vegetable. When harvesting, leave a fruit stalk 3-5 cm high. It is advisable to immediately pluck the lower leaves.
To ensure good preservation, vegetables are left in the fresh air for some time - so that the upper green foliage will wilt.
If Atria cabbage is dug up, the root system is immediately thoroughly cleaned of soil. The yellowed lower leaves are torn off. The heads of cabbage are also left in the garden so that the roots and root stem dry out. The optimal way to store vegetables in the basement is to hang a head of Atria cabbage by the root.
To prevent various diseases from developing in the soil, the area is carefully cleaned after harvesting. The roots and basal legs of the heads of cabbage are dug up, and the torn lower leaves are collected.
Diseases and pests of cabbage
Fusarium is a fungal disease that causes cabbage to wilt. Signs of the disease - the foliage turns yellow and fades. The heads of cabbage are small and deformed. Sick plants must be removed from the site. The remaining cabbage is pollinated with fungicides Benomyl and Tecto. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to carefully remove all plant debris from the soil. It is not advisable to plant cabbage in one area for several seasons in a row.
Turnip mosaic is a virus. Affected vegetables become covered with light green spots. As a result of the disease, cabbage leaves fall off. The virus is transmitted by harmful insects (aphids, mites). It is useless to fight the disease with insecticides. Therefore, the main attention is paid to prevention: diseased plants are removed along with part of the soil, weeds are carefully pulled out, and Atria seeds must be disinfected before planting.
The main pest of the crop is the cabbage aphid. The insect feeds on cabbage juice and gradually depletes the vegetable. Aphid colonies settle on young cabbage in the spring. To destroy pests, use Karbofos and Iskra. As a preventive measure, you can sow tobacco or plant garlic around the perimeter of the cabbage planting - aphids cannot tolerate strong odors.
Gardeners value Atria cabbage for its unpretentiousness, high yield, good keeping quality, and excellent taste.
