Content
It is quite possible to plant cauliflower in a greenhouse. As a rule, it is grown by seedlings, but direct sowing of seeds in the ground is also allowed. Work should begin at the end of March, and transfer to the greenhouse at the beginning of May. Plants need cool and moist conditions. They are periodically watered and fertilized.
Is it possible to grow cauliflower in a greenhouse?
Growing crops in a greenhouse is easier than in open ground. This crop is especially demanding compared to other varieties. In open ground it is difficult to provide the required temperature and humidity. In a greenhouse it is much easier:
- optimal 18-20 degrees (above +25 is undesirable);
- air humidity at 80% or slightly higher;
- diffuse lighting, constant lighting, from 14 hours a day;
- the soil is fertile and loose.
Cauliflower varieties for greenhouses
To grow cauliflower in a greenhouse made of polycarbonate and other materials, it is recommended to choose the following varieties:
- Koza-Dereza;
- Regent;
- Alpha;
- Autumn Giant;
- White Castle;
- Express;
- Domestic;
- Blizzard.
They adapt well to different climatic conditions, so such crops can be grown in almost any region. It is also worth considering that mid-late and late varieties are suitable for cultivation in a greenhouse. Early varieties of cauliflower are best grown in open ground. Since they ripen quickly, direct sowing of seeds without the seedling stage is allowed.
How to grow cauliflower in a greenhouse
Cabbage can be grown by direct sowing of seeds in the ground or by seedlings. The last option is more labor-intensive, but reliable. In some regions of Russia, recurrent frosts are often observed in spring. And if in the south of the country seeds can be safely sown directly into the ground, then in other areas it is not worth the risk. First you need to get seedlings, and then transfer them to the greenhouse.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
To properly grow cauliflower in a greenhouse, you need to plant the seeds for seedlings. You can start work at the same time as in the case of white cabbage varieties. Specific planting dates depend on the variety:
- early ones are sown throughout March;
- mid-season - from March 28 to April 20;
- late - during the first and second ten days of April.
Seedlings are grown at temperatures no higher than +15
Seeds are planted in common boxes, cassettes or peat tablets. The soil should be loose and fertile, for example, a mixture of turf soil with humus, peat and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1:1. To properly grow seedlings, after sowing, you need to cover them with film and place them on the windowsill.
After germination, the temperature is reduced to 10. As soon as two leaves appear, dive into the container. Then you can grow it at +15, but not higher.Two weeks before transplanting, the seedlings are periodically taken outside or onto the balcony.
Transplanting into a greenhouse
If cauliflower seedlings are transferred to open ground in the first half of May, then this can be done in a greenhouse at the end of April or during the May holidays. The culture needs cool conditions - temperature no more than +15 degrees. If it is not possible to provide it at home, the boxes with seedlings are transferred to the greenhouse even earlier. By the time of transplantation, each seedling should have at least three true leaves.
When planting cauliflower in a greenhouse, proceed as follows:
- Prepare the soil in advance - clean it, dig it and fertilize it.
- Water the seedling containers the day before transplanting.
- To properly grow in a greenhouse, mark holes according to a 50x30 cm pattern (at least 50 cm between rows and at least 30 cm between plants).
- The seedlings are carefully removed by transshipment in order to preserve the maximum volume of the earthen clod on the roots.
- Transplant into holes, deepening to the first leaf.
- Fill in and compact the soil a little.
- Then water and mulch with straw, hay, freshly cut grass or other materials.
Caring for cauliflower in a greenhouse
To grow cauliflower in a greenhouse and get a good harvest, you need to take good care of it. Plants need regular watering, fertilization, and disease prevention. Basic rules of agricultural technology are described in the following sections.
Lighting
If you grow cauliflower in a greenhouse, you should keep in mind that it needs long daylight hours. In April and May the duration exceeds 14-15 hours, which is quite enough. But at the seedling stage, it is important to illuminate with phytolamps or LEDs.They are installed at a height of 50 cm and turned on for several hours in the morning and evening. It is necessary to provide at least 14 hours of daylight.
Cauliflower in a greenhouse does not need additional lighting
Watering
If you grow cauliflower in a greenhouse, you should also water it constantly. The plant is moisture-loving, so watering should be regular. Water is given twice a week in small volumes. If the soil does not have time to dry out, the frequency is reduced. During the period of inflorescence formation, cabbage needs increased watering, and immediately after this it can be reduced to once a week (if there is no drought).
The water is pre-settled so that it is at room temperature or a little warmer. Cauliflower also needs high air humidity - about 80%. Therefore, most of the time the greenhouse is kept closed, although the room must be constantly ventilated.
Top dressing
When they start growing cauliflower in a greenhouse, they pay special attention to feeding. Fertilizers are applied several times per season:
- After planting the seedlings in the ground - about 10 days.
- 10 days after the first.
- During the formation of inflorescences.
For the first time, water the roots with mullein infusion 1:10. You can start preparing it immediately after transplanting it into the ground, since it will take at least 10 days.
After 1.5 weeks, a complex composition is added (amount given per 10 l):
- ammonium nitrate – 30 g;
- superphosphate – 40 g;
- potassium chloride – 2 g;
- boric acid – 2 g.
Instead, you can use ready-made complex fertilizers, for example, Kemira, Baikal, Agricola.”
To successfully grow cauliflower in a greenhouse and get a good harvest, it is necessary to apply a third fertilizing directly during the formation of heads of cabbage. To do this, use the following components (per 10 liters of water):
- ammonium nitrate – 30 g;
- calcium chloride – 20 g;
- superphosphate – 30 g.
At the stage of formation of inflorescences, it is necessary to increase watering and fertilizing
Protection from diseases and pests
To successfully grow cauliflower in a greenhouse and get a good harvest, you should also take care of preventing diseases and pests. Cabbage can suffer from fungal, bacterial and viral infections. These are mainly black leg, white and gray rot, mosaic, bacteriosis and others.
For prevention, seedlings after transplantation are treated with any effective fungicide:
- "Bordeaux mixture";
- "HOM";
- "Ridomil Gold";
- "Tattu."
Growing cauliflower in a greenhouse is not so difficult, but even here it can be attacked by pests, for example, cabbage aphids and flies, caterpillars, and cruciferous flea beetles. To combat them, insecticides are used:
- "Fitoverm";
- "Vertimek";
- "Inta-Vir";
- "Karate".
Infestations of slugs are often observed. For prevention, it is recommended to sprinkle the approaches to the greenhouse and beds with mustard powder, nut shells or eggshells. You can also use red chilli powder.
Harvest
If you grow a crop correctly in a greenhouse, you need to harvest the crop on time. The ripening period depends on the variety and ranges from 90 to 150 days (counting from the moment of mass emergence of seedlings).
The heads are removed by hand.First, the bushes are dug up along with the roots and transferred to a cellar or basement for long-term storage. Then a small layer of soil is poured on top of the plant. But if the heads are intended to be used immediately or, for example, sent for harvesting, they are cut off after harvesting.
Conclusion
Planting cauliflower in a greenhouse is not very difficult. Since there is little space in the greenhouse, seedlings are planted at a minimum distance of 30 cm in a checkerboard pattern. They are grown until the heads are fully ripe, after which they are harvested and sent for storage or freezing.
