Content
Zeno cabbage is a hybrid with fairly dense pulp. It can be preserved for a relatively long time and can easily be transported over any distance without loss of appearance and mineral composition.
Description of Zeno cabbage
White cabbage Zenon F1 is a hybrid bred in Central Europe by agronomists from Sygenta Seeds. It can be grown throughout the CIS. The only exceptions are some northern regions of Russia. The reason for this limitation is lack of time for maturation. This variety is a late ripening variety. Its ripening period ranges from 130 to 135 days.
The appearance of the variety is classic: the heads of cabbage have a round, almost ideal shape
The heads of cabbage are quite dense to the touch. The outer leaves are large, their slope is optimal for suppressing almost any weed. The pulp of Zeno cabbage is white. The color of the outer leaves is dark green. The weight of ripened heads of cabbage is 2.5-4.0 kg. The stalk is short and not too thick.
The shelf life of heads of Zenon cabbage ranges from 5 to 7 months.And there is one interesting property: the later the harvest is harvested, the longer it retains its attractive appearance.
Advantages and disadvantages
The positive properties of Zeno cabbage include:
- excellent taste and appearance;
- their preservation for a long time;
- shelf life is 5-7 months without loss of presentation and concentration of all beneficial properties;
- resistance to fungal diseases (in particular, fusarium and spot necrosis);
- high productivity.
The disadvantage of this variety is its relatively long ripening period.
Based on the totality of its characteristics, Zenon cabbage is considered one of the best varieties currently existing on the European and Russian markets.
Cabbage yield Zenon F1
According to the originator, the yield ranges from 480 to 715 centners per hectare with a standard planting scheme (planting in several rows with a distance between rows of 60 cm and between heads of cabbage of 40 cm). In the case of cultivation using a handicraft method rather than an industrial one, the yield indicators may be slightly lower.
Increasing yield per unit area can be achieved in two ways:
- Increasing the planting density to 50x40 or even 40x40 cm.
- Intensification of agricultural technology: increasing watering rates (but not their frequency), as well as introducing additional fertilizing.
In addition, yields can be increased by using more fertile areas.
Planting and care
Taking into account the long ripening period, it is best to grow Zeno cabbage using seedlings. Seeds are sown at the end of March or beginning of April. The soil for seedlings should be loose. Usually a mixture is used consisting of earth (7 parts), expanded clay (2 parts) and peat (1 part).
Zenon cabbage seedlings can be grown in almost any container
The period for growing seedlings is 6-7 weeks. The temperature before seed pipping should be in the range from 20 to 25 °C, after - from 15 to 17 °C.
Planting in open ground is carried out in the first ten days of May. The planting pattern is 40 by 60 cm. At the same time, per 1 sq. m it is not recommended to place more than 4 plants.
Watering is carried out once every 5-6 days, in hot weather you can increase their frequency to 2-3 days. The water for them should be 2-3 °C warmer than the air.
In total, agricultural technology involves 3 feedings per season:
- A solution of chicken manure at the end of May in the amount of 10 liters per 1 sq. m.
- Similar to the first one, but it is produced at the end of June.
- In mid-July - complex mineral phosphorus-potassium fertilizer in a concentration of 40-50 g per 1 sq. m.
Since the outer leaves of cabbage quickly cover the soil between the heads of cabbage, hilling and loosening are not carried out.
Harvesting takes place in September or early October. It is best to do it in cloudy weather.
Diseases and pests
In general, the plant has high resistance to fungal infections, and even complete immunity to some. However, certain types of diseases characteristic of cruciferous vegetables even affect the hybrid cabbage variety Zeno. One of these diseases is blackleg.
Blackleg affects cabbage at the seedling stage
The cause is usually high humidity and lack of ventilation. In most cases, the lesion affects the root collar and base of the stem.The seedlings begin to lose their growth rate and often die.
In the fight against this disease, you should adhere to preventive procedures: treat the soil with TMTD (at a concentration of 50%) in an amount of 50 g per 1 sq. m. m beds. Before planting, seeds must be soaked for several minutes in granosan (concentration 0.4 g per 100 g of seed).
The main pest of Zeno cabbage is cruciferous flea beetles. It is very difficult to get rid of them, and we can say that there are no varieties of this crop in the world that are not only resistant to these beetles, but at least have some kind of resistance.
Cruciferous flea beetles and the holes they leave on cabbage leaves are clearly visible
There are a lot of methods to combat this pest: from folk methods to the use of chemicals. Spraying the affected heads of cabbage with Arrivo, Decis or Aktara is most effective. Plants with repellent odors are often used: dill, cumin, coriander. They are planted between the rows of Zeno cabbage.
Application
The variety has universal application: it is used in raw, heat-treated and canned form. Zeno cabbage goes into salads, first and second courses, and side dishes. It can be boiled, stewed or fried. Sauerkraut has an excellent taste.
Conclusion
Zenon cabbage is an excellent hybrid that has a long shelf life and can easily be transported over long distances. The variety is highly resistant to some fungal diseases and most pests. Zeno cabbage has a great taste and is versatile in use.
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