Content
Cauliflower is a crop that is rarely found in the gardens of Russian vegetable growers. However, there are amateurs who grow it. If we talk about preferred varieties, one of the most popular is Goodman F1 cauliflower. It is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, high productivity, as well as good taste and nutritional qualities.
Goodman F1 cauliflower is approved for cultivation throughout Russia
Description of cauliflower Goodman
Goodman F1 cauliflower is a member of the Cruciferous family. It belongs to the mid-early, high-yielding varieties that are suitable for cultivation in different climatic zones. The hybrid is universal, has an attractive appearance, good taste, and a rich chemical composition.
The Goodman F1 variety was developed by breeders of the Dutch company Bejo Zaden B.V. It was included in the State Register in 2000 for cultivation throughout Russia with recommendations for planting dates depending on climatic conditions.
Externally, Goodman F1 cauliflower has a round shape. The plant forms a rosette of wavy leaves that are directed upward on a vertical cylindrical stem. The peduncles are underdeveloped, collected in a dense bunch of evenly rounded shape, also called the head. It has a delicate creamy color, slightly wavy and quite large, about 10-12 cm in diameter. The average weight of the head varies between 600-700 g.
The bush itself is compact, but the leaf blades are large, partially covering the head, which prevents its yellowing. The root system is shallow, fibrous without an axial root.
The taste qualities of Goodman F1 cauliflower are noted as high. The pulp is dense, crispy and at the same time quite tender with a sweetish aftertaste. In use, this cabbage is universal; it can be consumed raw, as well as after heat treatment by boiling and frying. It is ideal for stewing and baking, suitable for preparing diet food, for pickling or freezing for the winter.
Productivity
Cauliflower variety Goodman F1 is famous for its stable yield. From 1 sq. m you can get up to 5 kg of quality vegetables. The average figure varies from 3 to 4.5 kg per square meter. m.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Despite the fact that cauliflower is not popular among gardeners, those who grow the Goodman F1 variety describe the crop positively.
The keeping quality of Goodman F1 cauliflower is high; it can be easily stored for up to a month at a temperature of 0-2 ºC
Pros:
- suitability for cultivation in any climatic zones;
- mid-early ripening;
- high productivity;
- extended and prolonged fruiting;
- excellent taste;
- attractive commercial appearance;
- excellent keeping quality.
Minuses:
- whimsical to grow;
- needs constant feeding with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
Features of cultivation
Goodman F1 cauliflower can be grown by direct sowing in open ground, as well as by seedlings. The second method is the most relevant, since the germination of seeds in the garden has an average probability. The crop is demanding on soil; it grows best on chernozem and loam, and the acidity should be neutral.
When and how to plant Goodman cauliflower seedlings
For seedlings, Goodman F1 cauliflower seeds are recommended to be sown in the second half of April. The soil is prepared in advance; for this you can use a ready-made substrate or mix it yourself from equal parts of peat and soil.
Sowing of seeds is carried out to a depth of no more than 1 cm with a distance of 7-10 cm from each other. Cover the top with soil or sand, then moisten well with a spray bottle.
In order for the seeds to germinate faster, it is important to maintain the temperature within +20-22 ºC. As soon as the first shoots appear, the seedlings must be moved for a week to a place where the temperature will not exceed +10 ºC. After seven days, the cabbage sprouts are planted in separate containers, simultaneously picking them up, and then moved to a room with +12-15 ºC for ten days.
Planting seedlings in the ground
To plant seedlings in open ground, first prepare a bed. In this case, they begin to prepare the soil in the fall by digging and adding fertilizers to it. If the acidity is high, it is neutralized by adding slaked lime.In the spring, the soil is dug up again and wood ash, humus and nitrogen-containing complexes are added to it.
Cauliflower seedlings are planted around mid-May. The seedlings are planted in a checkerboard pattern according to a pattern of 35 by 45 cm. The sprouts are deepened to the first leaves, the soil is lightly tamped and watered well at the root.
To ensure that seedlings easily adapt to new conditions, they are hardened before transplanting into open ground.
Further care
After planting Goodman F1 cauliflower seedlings, to ensure its full development, it is important to follow some care rules. Since representatives of the Cruciferous family are moisture-loving plants, watering should be taken seriously. The ideal soil moisture schedule would be once every 5-6 days. If watering is done more often, moisture will accumulate, which will lead to rotting of the root system. But rare irrigation of the land can reduce the yield of cauliflower.
The hybrid variety responds very well to feeding. After transplanting the seedlings, you can apply fertilizer to the soil for the first time two weeks later. Nutrient compositions are chosen with a high nitrogen content. As a top dressing, you can also use chicken manure, which is diluted with water in a ratio of 500 g per 10 liters. Then the cabbage is fed at intervals of two weeks; the plant is fed at least three times during the season.
It is not advisable to loosen the soil for cauliflower, since it has a superficial root system and is easily damaged. It is best to mulch with peat or humus.
To prevent pests, you can use an infusion of burdock leaves. When infested with caterpillars, cabbage whites or cutworms, the plant is treated with insecticides.
Harvest and storage
Due to non-simultaneous ripening, Goodman F1 cauliflower is harvested in several passes. The heads are removed from the bushes as they mature. As a rule, the first heads of cabbage can already be harvested approximately 75 days after planting in open ground.
The head of cabbage is cut using a sharp knife, grabbing several leaves; the cabbage should not be broken off to avoid damage. After harvesting, the vegetables are placed in a dark, cool room. If cabbage needs to be kept fresh for the winter, then the heads of cabbage are laid out in one row in wooden boxes on a paper litter, and covered with parchment paper on top. For long-term storage, cauliflower is transferred to the cellar.
You can store cauliflower on the balcony, provided that the temperature is within 0-2 ºС
Conclusion
Goodman F1 cauliflower has mostly positive reviews from gardeners. This variety is high-yielding, and also has good presentation and taste.
Reviews from gardeners about cauliflower Goodman
