Cabbage petsai, also known as Chinese, Peking or salad cabbage, is the same representative of the cruciferous family as white cabbage and its other relatives.
Its leaves are more tender and juicy, the heads are looser. It is mainly used for salads, soups and side dishes.
Is it possible to grow this variety in a vegetable garden, and especially in open ground? Yes, it is possible, and much easier than it seems.
When to sow for seedlings
Despite its exotic origin, the Chinese cabbage is considered cold-resistant, and the seeds germinate at 4 degrees Celsius. Active growth begins at +15–22 degrees Celsius.
Sowing seeds for seedlings begins on average a month before planting the seedlings in the ground (late March - early April for early harvest, late June for winter harvesting).
The seeds are simply placed in moist soil at a depth of 1-1.5 centimeters. Leave in a dark and warm place until shoots appear.
Then the seedlings are transferred to the light. The temperature should not be higher than 7-8 degrees Celsius - a glazed balcony will do.
Care
Water the seedlings with warm, settled water when the top layer of soil dries. After 2-3 leaves appear in the cups, leave only the strongest seedlings, pinching off the weak ones rather than pulling them out. Peking cabbage seedlings do not tolerate picking well.
It is better to choose peat cups for seedlings.
Transfer
Estimated time - the appearance of 5-6 leaves on the shoots. Usually it takes at least 3 weeks from the moment of emergence.
Before transplanting, hardening is carried out for 10 days, leaving the seedlings in the fresh air, gradually increasing the time before staying outside to a whole day. Watering is stopped 3-4 days before.
The seedlings are transplanted into neutral and light soil, loose and fertile, sufficiently moist and drained. They are planted in place of green manure, carrots or potatoes, onions, garlic or cucumbers.
After cruciferous vegetables, beets and tomatoes, Chinese cabbage will not grow.
Fertilize the beds with humus or compost at the rate of 1 bucket per 1 square meter of soil. Before planting, add 2 tablespoons of superphosphate, 2 cups of wood ash and 1 teaspoon of urea to the hole, pouring water. The holes are marked at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other.
Leave 40-50 cm between rows.
