Brussels sprouts are one of the most protein-rich vegetables. Frozen does not lose value. The diameter heads are the edible part 2-6 Cm, growing in the leaf axils of the shoot. They are on average on the plant 40-60 pieces. It is grown as an aftercrop, by sowing on the seedbed from mid-April to mid-May. The seedlings are planted permanently in early July, spaced 60X60 cm. Topping is one of the special treatments, that is, removing the very top of the Brussels sprouts. We do this, when heads have formed in the axils of most leaves, and the oldest of them in the lower part of the plant are at least in diameter 1,5-2 Cm. We harvest the heads gradually as they mature, usually in October and November. After frosts, the heads are sweeter. This cabbage is frost-resistant (do -12°C) and can be left on the bed until late winter, without losing its taste value.
In Poland, six varieties are recommended for cultivation; five of them: Karpo F ^ the earliest), Valiant Fv Lancelot F,, Akropolis F,, The Lunette F "Citadel F" are hybrids, characterized, inter alia, by a high and even yield, and one variety of Polish breeding - Maczuga (medium-sized head, strict, moderately fertile, high).
Chinese cabbage
Chinese cabbage, sometimes wrongly called Chinese cabbage (which is another vegetable, almost not cultivated with us), also comes from China, where it has been grown for a long time. It creates a loose fit, elongated heads, heights most often from 25 do 40 Cm. It is more like lettuce and is usually eaten raw, but you can cook it like sauerkraut or sour it like white cabbage. It contains a lot of vegetable protein, carotene, vitamin C., mineral salts, especially calcium, phosphorus and iron. Grown in the conditions of a long day, it does not curl the head, but it strikes flower shoots (is an annual plant). Therefore, it is sown in summer as an aftercrop (at the end of July) for the fall harvest. Due to the weak and shallow root system, Chinese cabbage requires fertile soil, about good culture. It tolerates frosts down to -4 ° C. The cultivation and fertilization of this cabbage is similar to that of late cauliflower and broccoli varieties. Chinese cabbage is sensitive to transplanting, that is why it is sown directly into the ground in July in every row 40-60 Cm. After the plants have emerged, we stop them every time 30-50 Cm. You can also prepare seedlings in pots (it lasts 3-4 weeks). The early variety is Siao-bei-bantou; forms thick heads, compacted, green-yellow leaves, strongly wrinkled, the weight of the head ranges from 0,70 do 1,75 kg. Late varieties are Pe-Tsai and Canton, oblong heads with dark green leaves; can be stored. Their seeds are imported from abroad.