What to do if broccoli blooms and how to properly grow cabbage to prevent it
Broccoli appeared on the tables of Russian residents at the end of the 20th century. The population was divided into two categories: those who love this cabbage and those who do not include it in their diet. The first group is growing very quickly, understanding the usefulness and nutritional value of the product. Farmers have begun cultivating broccoli, but not everyone is doing it well. The plant is difficult to grow, because at the slightest error in care it bolts or blooms, which is why it loses its presentation. And it’s good if there are farms nearby with pets who are ready to buy cabbage for livestock feed.
What to do if broccoli has bloomed, and whether it can be eaten in this form, we will tell you in the article.
Why is broccoli blooming bad?
Broccoli is picked and sold or eaten until it blooms. At this time, the green heads of cabbage have not yet opened and they contain the largest number of vitamins, microelements and other useful substances.
When flowering, the plant begins to spend all its energy on producing seeds. The stems lose moisture, become hard and fibrous, and the inflorescences and leaves become bitter. This product is not suitable for sale.
Why does broccoli fade?
Broccoli feels comfortable at temperatures from +16 to +24°C. Optimal air humidity is not less than 60%. Weather conditions have a strong influence on head tying. Neither cold and wet weather nor extreme heat and dry summers are suitable.
Why does a tasty and healthy product lose its presentation already in the garden:
- lack of moisture;
- insufficient nutrition;
- excess nitrogen and other fertilizers;
- hot weather – arrows and flowers appear at temperatures above +25°C;
- cold weather;
- late harvest - if the broccoli is ready to be cut, do it immediately.
Signs
You can determine the condition of the heads of cabbage by the color of the bud. Once it turns bright green, it is time to harvest. It is better to remove the middle and ripe head than to wait for it to bloom and lose a quality harvest.
Why doesn't the head form?
The head of broccoli does not have time to form granular large heads of cabbage, begins to separate into separate inflorescences, and becomes loose if overgrown seedlings were planted. At best, a small head will form.
Planting seeds for seedlings 3-4 times every 1-2 weeks will help. This will be a good safety net and will make it possible to have a broccoli harvest until the fall.
If you plant different varieties, you can get a harvest distributed by date and with different taste qualities.
What to do if cabbage blooms
Broccoli, by its natural properties, must bloom. That's why it is collected without waiting for flowering.
Do I need to fight this?
If flowers have already formed, first cut off only the central head, and leave the stem and wait for the side shoots with buds to appear. However, there are varieties that do not produce lateral heads. In this case, the plant is cut down at the root.
How to grow broccoli without it blooming
The crop is planted in such a way that at the time the heads form, the air temperature does not rise above +18°C. Late-ripening varieties are sown so that the ovaries appear after September 20.For early ripening varieties, this period in central Russia is no later than the end of May.
In dry and hot weather, the plant is watered so that water reaches the entire depth of the roots. To ensure the necessary air humidity, water containers are placed between the beds or evening sprinkling is carried out.
From the bright sun, shading can be used. However, ovaries do not form in the shade. To preserve moisture, the row spaces are mulched. Protect the plant from temporary low temperatures with film or non-woven covering material.
During the season, plants are fed 2-4 times:
- Poor growth, leaves turn yellow and dry - there is not enough nitrogen.
- The leaves around the edges dry out and change color to bronze or purple - potassium deficiency.
Mineral fertilizers alternate with organic ones.
Is it possible to eat this cabbage?
Blooming broccoli loses its marketable appearance and is not suitable for sale. However, even in this form, cabbage does not accumulate poisons and harmful substances.
The formed broccoli heads can be eaten. The taste quality decreases, but the nutritional value remains almost unchanged.
It is difficult to cook fully blossomed heads and blooming bouquets, since the stems become rough, the flowers are bitter, and there is no pulp. It is better to use such green mass as livestock feed.
Benefits and harms
Broccoli itself is rich in potassium, magnesium and sodium. In terms of vitamin C content, the plant overtook lemon. Cabbage is considered a low-calorie food and is included in many diets.
It has been observed that eating broccoli:
- Normalizes the condition of the kidneys, liver and gall bladder.
- Strengthens blood vessels and nervous system.
- Normalizes metabolism.
- Prevents atherosclerosis and slows down the aging of the body.
- Reduces the risk of cancer.
In case of individual intolerance, people with high stomach acidity, ulcers, gastritis, acute pancreatitis should exclude broccoli from the diet.
This is interesting:
Planting and caring for broccoli in open ground
How to cook
First courses are prepared from broccoli, most often gourmet puree soups. Steamed or boiled cabbage is good. Add it to salads, omelettes, casseroles. Used as an additive to the fillings of pies, dumplings, dumplings, lasagnas, pizzas and ravioli.
For your information. Small side flowering heads are best frozen for future use. In winter, they can be used to make sauces, casseroles and thick pureed soups.
In European countries, soups from broccoli flowers are prepared in restaurants and at home. But this dish cannot be called ubiquitous.
How to store
Broccoli is cut, leaving a petiole up to 10 cm in length. Immediately after harvesting, fresh cabbage can be stored in air for up to 6 hours.
Broccoli in the refrigerator without blooming stored within 2 weeks. The head of cabbage is not washed, but placed in a paper bag, wrapped in a damp towel and placed at the bottom of the vegetable tray.
The vegetable, placed by cutting the stem in a vessel with water, is stored for 2-3 days. However, once flowering has begun, this will encourage more flowers.
One of the most reliable ways to store broccoli is freezing. At the same time, the vegetable does not go into flowering and retains all its beneficial properties.
Important! When storing broccoli, do not place bananas or apples near it.
Conclusion
Broccoli is not as delicate a plant in agricultural technology as, for example, cauliflower.By choosing the right planting time, providing it with good watering, fertilizing, and protecting it from the sun, you can get a large harvest. The main thing is not to delay harvesting and ensure proper storage of the cabbage.