Varieties of broccoli: photo with name

Broccoli is a type of cabbage that came to our beds relatively recently. The crop began to be grown in the Mediterranean. Translated from Italian, broccoli means “flowering stem of cabbage.” Previously, cabbage was called Italian asparagus or the plant of eternal youth.

In this article we will talk about growing the crop, broccoli seeds and the best varieties for open ground. You will also learn about the features of this cabbage with photo names of popular varieties and hybrids.

Types of broccoli

There are two varieties of broccoli:

1. Calabrian. The second name for Calabrian is calabrese. Cabbage has a round head located on a thick stem. Both the stem and the umbrella head are eaten. The inflorescences come in different colors: green, white, purple, yellow and brown.
2. Asparagus or Italian in the form of small heads with numerous inflorescences. This species does not form a head of cabbage. Thin stems with the taste of asparagus are suitable for food.

A separate cabbage plant, similar to broccoli, is called Romanesco. It is a hybrid obtained by crossing broccoli and cauliflower. The plant has a spiral-shaped head, which is formed by light green small inflorescences. The structure of cabbage is dense. Of all the varieties of the crop, only this one requires special conditions for cultivation, and therefore is not particularly popular among gardeners.

Calabrese and Italian broccoli are not susceptible to diseases and are not too demanding on the type of soil and climate. These varieties are not interesting to insects, which greatly simplifies their care and allows you to grow an environmentally friendly product without the use of chemicals.

Broccoli has a pronounced remontant ability - after cutting the head, many small inflorescences appear every 5 days until frost.

The culture is distinguished by a wide variety of varieties (more than 200) and hybrids.

Variety is a group of plants bred by selection for cultivation in certain conditions. Plants share similar biological properties.

A hybrid is a product of crossing certain varieties. The hybrid receives the best characteristics of several varieties: color, taste, smell, resistance to diseases and pests. The only drawback is that the seeds of such plants are not capable of reproduction.

Reference. The correct choice of broccoli variety allows you to harvest the vitamin product from the end of June until the first frost, depending on the growing region.

Early

Early varieties and hybrids of broccoli are good for their short growing season, which allows harvesting until November. The ripening period is 70-80 days. Early cabbage has a short shelf life, so it is often eaten straight from the garden, less often pickled and freeze.

Popular early varieties: Tone, Emperor, Vitamin, Curly head, Agassi F1, Comanche.

Mid-season

Average ripening period of broccoli takes 900-100 days. For proper development, the crop requires high air temperature - at least +20°C. The cooler the climate, the slower cabbage ripens. That is why in Siberia it is recommended to cultivate mid-season broccoli in greenhouses.The most popular varieties and hybrids: Monterey F1, Arcadia F1, Monterey, Gnome, Calabrese.

Late

Late-ripening varieties and hybrids ripen from 130 to 145 days from the moment of sowing. They are grown in the south of Russia in open ground, since climatic conditions allow, in the northern regions - in greenhouses.

Late broccoli can be stored for a long time in a cool place, used for canning and freezing.

Known varieties and hybrids: Marathon F1, Lucky F1, Continental.

Dutch selection

Hybrids of Dutch selection are rightfully considered one of the best. They are characterized by high productivity, resistance to unfavorable climatic conditions, diseases and pests. Cabbage is not prone to flowering and has excellent taste. The most popular Dutch hybrids: Batavia F1, Lucky F1, Fiesta F1.

Which variety of broccoli is best to plant based on growing conditions and location?

When choosing broccoli varieties and hybrids, pay attention to the climate in your region, as well as the timing of crop ripening.

In the open ground

Early and mid-season broccoli are suitable for planting in open ground. They are united by excellent taste and disease resistance. Mid-ripening varieties are suitable for subsequent propagation, but take longer to ripen compared to early ones.

Hybrids are marked F1 on the packaging and are especially popular among gardeners due to their high yields and resistance to pests. Inflorescences have a long shelf life without loss of presentation and nutritional value.

Reference. The disadvantage of hybrid cabbage is that the taste is inferior to varietal products, and the seeds cannot be used for further planting.

Suitable varieties: Macho F1, Agassi F1, Blue Spindle, Linda, Caesar F1.

For the greenhouse

In greenhouses and hotbeds, cabbage with medium and late ripening can be grown in cold regions of the country. The shelf life of this product is more than two months. Suitable varieties and hybrids: Lucky F1, Calabrese, Late Beau Monde, Besti F1, Monrello F1, Emerald Magic.

Central Russia and Moscow region

In outskirts of Moscow and Central Russia, the following varieties and hybrids are popular:

1. Lucky F1 hybrid of medium ripening period. The weight of the head reaches 600-700 g. The culture is resistant to powdery mildew and is easy to care for. The inflorescences can be canned and frozen. The taste is bright, slightly spicy. Productivity 2-3.5 kg per 1 m2.
2. Fortuna is a mid-season variety. From the moment of sowing the seeds to harvest 80-95 days pass. The head is medium-density with a delicate texture, gray-green in color, flat-round in shape, contains a lot of vitamins A and C, iron, iodine, calcium, suitable for freezing and canning. Weight – 300-400 g. Productivity 3.4-4 kg per 1 m2.
3. Caesar F1 is a mid-season hybrid. From the moment of sowing the seeds until harvesting, 95-100 days pass. The heads are dense, medium-lumpy, flat-rounded, dark green, weighing 300-500 g. The harvest can be harvested twice a year, 2.3-3 kg per 1 sq. m.
4. Curly head is a mid-season variety. The head is medium-sized, rounded-flat, gray-green in color, finely tuberous with secondary heads. The mass of the head is 500-600 g. The taste is excellent, without bitterness. Productivity - 2.4 kg per 1 m2.
5. Agassi F1 is a late-ripening hybrid. From sowing to harvest, 100-110 days pass. The heads are flat-rounded, gray-green, weighing 600-700 g. Productivity 4 kg per 1 m2.Cabbage thrives in open ground and in greenhouses, withstands long-term transportation without loss of commercial quality, and is suitable for freezing and canning.

In the Urals

In the Urals, early varieties and hybrids are grown through seedlings and planted in open ground in the second decade of May. Mid-season and late varieties are recommended to be cultivated in greenhouse conditions.

The following varieties are grown in the region:

1. Macho F1 is an early broccoli hybrid. From the moment of sowing to harvest, 78-85 days pass. The inflorescences ripen together, are of medium size, flat-round in shape, dark green inflorescences, dense in texture. The taste is excellent. Cabbage is suitable for freezing and further heat treatment, and retains its shape when boiled and stewed. The culture is resistant to fusarium. Productivity is 2.6-3.8 kg per 1 m2.
2. Violetta (pictured) is a mid-season original variety with purple inflorescences. Harvesting begins 90-95 days after the first shoots. The plant is tall, reaches 90 cm, does not form a dense head, but instead produces small loose inflorescences. The entire shoot is used for food. The taste is excellent. The taste is delicate, reminiscent of asparagus. The harvest ripens continuously until frost. In place of the cut heads, new inflorescences appear from the lateral buds. The variety is resistant to cold. In the southern regions it is able to overwinter and produce an early harvest in April. Shoots need to be cut regularly to preserve their taste. Cabbage can be eaten raw or with minimal heat treatment. Productivity 3.5-4 kg per 1 m2.
3. Blue spindle is an early variety (80-85 days). The shape of the heads is flat-round, weight 400-500 g. The inflorescences are dense, dark green in color with a bluish tint. The taste is excellent.Cabbage is suitable for freezing and pickling.

In Siberia

Broccoli is grown in Siberia through seedlings followed by planting early varieties and hybrids in open ground no earlier than mid-May. Mid-season varieties can be cultivated in greenhouses, but late-season varieties are not recommended.

Popular varieties:

1. Calabrese is a mid-late variety. From the moment of germination to technical ripeness, 100 days pass. The heads are dense, flat-round, bluish-green, weighing 450-500 g. Cabbage contains many vitamins and minerals and is suitable for fresh consumption, freezing and pickling. Productivity 3.4-5 kg ​​per 1 m2.
2. Linda (photo on the right) is a medium-ripening variety (85-95 days). The heads are dark green in color, medium density, weighing 350-400 g. The culture is immune to fungal infections, and after the first cutting it produces 7-8 lateral heads. Productivity - 3.5-4 kg per 1 m². Suitable for fresh consumption, stewing, steaming and freezing.
3. Late beau monde F1 is a mid-season hybrid; 95-100 days pass from the moment of first shoots to technical ripeness. The heads are dense, dark green, weighing 400-500 g. Productivity 3-4 kg per 1 m2. The inflorescences are suitable for fresh consumption, canning and freezing.

For the Leningrad region

In the Leningrad region you can grow early, middle and late varieties and hybrids of broccoli:

1. Bestie F1 (pictured) is a mid-season hybrid (95-100 days). The inflorescences are dense, green, aligned, weighing 1.5-2 kg. Productivity 4.5-5 kg ​​per 1 m2. The crop copes well with stress and grows quickly, and tolerates nitrogen deficiency well.
2. Monrello F1 is a mid-season hybrid (95-100 days). The heads are flat-rounded, dark green, heavy and dense, weighing up to 2 kg.The culture is characterized by high growth vigor and resistance to unfavorable climatic conditions. The taste is excellent, fresh, without bitterness. Productivity 3.5-4 kg per 1 m2.
3. Emerald Magic is a mid-season (95-100 days) remontant variety with excellent taste. Delicious broccoli has large, round, dense heads, gray-green in color, weighing 600 g. The inflorescences ripen together. After cutting, many side heads are formed. Productivity 3-4.5 kg per 1 sq. m.

Reviews of broccoli varieties

Broccoli is loved by many summer residents for its ease of care, high yield and excellent taste.

Vladimir, Voskresensk: “Violetta is a new variety of broccoli that I discovered last year. First of all, I attracted attention with the original shape of purple inflorescences and high yield. Cabbage is very tasty, delicate in taste, you can safely eat it even raw. All parts are edible - both stems and inflorescences.".

Nadezhda, Kirov: “Macho F1 is an early hybrid that has taken root in my summer cottage. I read reviews about broccoli Macho and decided to try it. It ripens quickly and smoothly, the inflorescences are dark green, dense, and very tasty. We eat broccoli raw, freshly picked, and freeze some of it. After defrosting, the inflorescences do not lose their shape and do not crumble into mush. The culture is resistant to all kinds of diseases and tolerates temperature fluctuations well.”.

Olga, Novaya Usman village: “Blue spindle is an early variety with inflorescences of an original green-bluish color. The taste is excellent. Cabbage does not taste bitter, does not overcook, and is suitable for freezing and pickling. Growing it is a pleasure.There is no need to treat it with anything, since it does not suffer from fungal infections, is not afraid of the cold and is not prone to discoloration.”.

Conclusion

It's easy to get lost among the many varieties and hybrids of broccoli. When choosing seeds, we advise you to focus on the ripening period of cabbage, as well as weather conditions in your region. In the middle zone, the Moscow region, the Urals, and Siberia, you can grow early and mid-season varieties and hybrids. In the Leningrad region and in the south of the country, early, middle and late cabbage is cultivated.

Mid-season and late broccoli is suitable for freezing and canning, tolerates transportation well, and can be stored in the cellar without loss of taste and presentation. Early broccoli is good fresh, has a delicate taste, but has a short shelf life.