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The katran plant is a spicy vegetable crop that is a close relative of horseradish. It is easy to care for and can withstand adverse weather conditions well. Due to its good resistance to frost, it can be grown almost throughout the country.
Description of the katran
Katran is a perennial plant belonging to the Cabbage family. It is a large bush similar to kale. With long-term cultivation, the diameter can reach up to 1.5 m. When planted in summer cottages, it is not so large due to the regular cutting of young shoots.
The plant has a thick, slightly elongated root. Painted in a light gray shade. The length varies between 30-35 cm, it is consumed boiled.
Long, erect leaves, colored grayish-green, grow from the basal rosette.Their height varies from 50 to 60 cm, the shoots are large and fleshy. Because of this, the bush itself looks quite branched.
Inflorescences form at the ends of the stems. They are quite small. They consist of small buds, painted white or light yellow. Flowering occurs from April to May. At this time, the plant emits a strong honey aroma.
After flowering ends, fruits are formed, which are presented in the form of small pods.
In its natural environment, katran grows in Northern Europe. It prefers rocky and coastal areas.
In cooking, katran can replace asparagus
Types and varieties of katran
The katran plant has more than 20 varieties. They differ in appearance and characteristics. Only a few of them are the most popular.
Katran seaside
A variety common on the Black Sea coast. It is a spreading plant, reaching a width of 60 cm and a height of 75 cm. It has fleshy shoots that have an oblong shape. They are colored greenish-bluish. Small buds are collected in large panicles. Flowering occurs in April-May, ripening in June-July. The taste is spicy. The variety does not survive frosty winters well.
Primorsky katran is in the Red Book of Crimea
Katran Tatar
In its natural habitat, this variety prefers steppe areas and chalk slopes. It is a herbaceous plant with erect leaves. It has a fairly large root, reaching a length of 90 cm. The young foliage has a weak fluff. It begins to bloom in the 2-3rd year of cultivation. Fruit ripening occurs in June-July.
The Tatar katran is in the Red Book of Kazakhstan
Katran cordifolia
In its natural habitat it grows in the Caucasus. It is a rounded shrub, the height of which varies within 25 cm. The width of the plant reaches 35 cm. Large leaves have a rounded shape, the surface is slightly wrinkled. Small buds are collected into beautiful inflorescences. They begin to bloom in May. The flowering period lasts for three weeks.
The hearty katran has good resistance to frost
Katran Steven
In its natural habitat it prefers steppes and clayey slopes. Grows in the Caucasus and Crimea. It is a large shrub, the height of which varies from 60 to 100 cm. It has erect foliage without down. The lower shoots are wide, and the upper ones have an oblong shape. The flowering period occurs at the end of May or beginning of June. Fruit ripening occurs in July.
The plant has good frost resistance
Properties and application
Most often, katran is grown as a spicy vegetable crop. Both the rhizome and leaves of the plant are eaten. It is not only tasty, but also incredibly healthy. It is rich in vitamin C, pectin, iron, calcium, magnesium, and inulin. In terms of nutritional value, the plant is close to horseradish. Katran is used in folk medicine to strengthen the immune system.
The leaves can be eaten both raw and thermally processed. Most often they are blanched and used instead of asparagus. The leaves go well with herbs and vegetables. Root vegetables make excellent sauces. You can use katran for cooking from the second year of cultivation.
How to plant katran seeds
For cultivation, it is best to plant katran seeds.They can be planted both in spring and autumn. It is allowed to grow seedlings and plant them directly in open ground. It grows well in sunny places, light partial shade is allowed. It thrives in slightly alkaline soil, but it can also be planted in poor soil.
Stratification of katran seeds at home
Seeds can be planted in spring. However, for this they need to be prepared. It is necessary to stratify katran seeds in the spring. This is required to improve germination and increase germination. Seed stratification is carried out in late autumn or early winter. This process consists of the following steps:
- Keep the seeds in warm water for a couple of hours.
- Mix them with wet sand. The ratio should be 1 to 3.
- Place the resulting mixture in a bag. Keep it for three months at a temperature from -5 to +5 OWITH.
Seeds that have undergone stratification can be used for planting. This should be done immediately after warming in May.
Soil preparation
Before planting horseradish katran seeds, you need to prepare the place. To do this, you need to dig up the area in the autumn. After this, the place needs to be fertilized. It is best to use compost or humus. At 1 m2 approximately 4 kg of fertilizer is required. In addition, you can add a little potassium sulfate or superphosphate to the soil.
After these steps in the spring, you will be able to grow katran in the country from seeds.
Rules for sowing katran seeds in spring
The plant is planted immediately in open ground. However, with early stratification, you can plant katran seeds for seedlings. To do this you need to do the following:
- Prepare containers and fill them with soil. It is best to use ready-made mixtures intended for cabbage crops.
- Moisten it with water and bury the seeds 4 mm.
- Cover with glass or film and put in a well-lit place.
Shoots will appear in 1-1.5 weeks. They need to be watered regularly. When they grow up, they need to be planted in individual containers. It is necessary to plant seedlings outside in May. A slight cold snap will not spoil it.
You need to plant seeds directly in open ground in the spring, when the soil is warm enough. It is recommended to do this in March-April. It is necessary to sow katran in rows with a distance of 70 cm between them. In this case, the gap between plants should be about 15 cm. If sowing is more dense, the plantings will have to be thinned.
Care instructions
The plant is unpretentious and frost-resistant. Therefore, planting and caring for the heart-leaf katran and other species is not difficult. Even a novice gardener can cope with its cultivation without any problems. However, for better growth and larger yields, you must follow some recommendations.
Watering and loosening
The plant does not require frequent watering. It is recommended to moisten the soil as the top layer dries. The plant thrives with regular rainfall. It can survive temporary drought.
After each moistening of the soil, it is recommended to loosen the soil, this will allow the roots to breathe and grow better
Top dressing
It is recommended to fertilize the plant twice a season. The first time this should be done at the beginning of summer, and the second time a month later. It is best to use nitrogen-based fertilizers for these purposes.
Methods for propagating katran
Katran can not only be grown from seeds, but also a new plant can be obtained from existing bushes. In spring or autumn, division can be done. To do this, you need to dig up the plant and carefully cut off several sections along with the roots and shoots. They need to be planted in new places.
Harvesting and storage
Katran is a seasonal green that needs to be consumed immediately after harvest. It is not suitable for freezing or canning. Leaves and inflorescences can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than a day. After this, their taste begins to deteriorate. Moreover, they are ready for harvest in May.
Harvesting roots begins at the end of winter or early spring. They can be stored briefly in the refrigerator in the vegetable drawer. The roots can be kept in the cellar, buried in the ground, for some time. The air temperature should be between +2 and +5 OWITH.
Conclusion
The katran plant can be grown for decorative purposes; unusual flowers can decorate the area. It is easy to care for, so growing it will not be difficult. It is distinguished by its versatility of use due to the fact that all its parts are edible.
Reviews about growing katran from seeds
