Cultivation of Imported Vegetables Red Head
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Red cabbage, also known as beetroot or "flame vegetable," is a vibrant root vegetable belonging to the Polygonaceae family. Native to the Mediterranean coast, it's widely cultivated and consumed in Europe and North America. The plant is a biennial herb, with its fleshy, purple root being the main edible part. Known for its bright color, low cellulose content, and tender texture, beetroot is not only a nutritious vegetable but also has medicinal properties, such as aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, and helping manage hypertension.
The red cabbage plant features a straight, fleshy root that develops during the first year of growth, forming a rosette shape. The root is typically oval in shape, with a deep purple skin and a cross-section that reveals concentric dark purple rings. This unique appearance makes it a popular ingredient in Western cuisine, often used in salads, soups, and decorative dishes. In its second year, the plant produces a tall stem, reaching up to 110 cm in height by May.
Red cabbage is cold-tolerant and thrives in cool climates. The ideal temperature for leaf growth is between 13°C and 18°C, and it does not perform well in high temperatures above 22°C, which can halt its development. Seed germination occurs best at around 15°C. During Winter, the plant requires vernalization—exposure to temperatures between 2°C and 6°C for 30–80 days—before it can flower under long, warm days. Seeds or seedlings kept at 4°C–10°C for over 15 days can be used to produce stems.
Beetroot can grow in various soils, but it prefers moist, loose, and well-drained loamy or sandy soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Several varieties are cultivated globally, including Ryukyu and Detroit Red. It can be sown in Spring or Autumn. Spring crops are usually harvested from March to June, while autumn plantings yield harvests from July to March of the following year.
For optimal growth, seeds should be sown at a depth of 2.5–3 cm, spaced about 40 cm apart. A seeding rate of 1–1.5 kg per 667 square meters is recommended. Mixing 3%–4% radish seeds into the soil can help with early weed control. Seedlings emerge within 10 days. At the 1–2 true leaf stage, seedlings should be thinned to 3–4 cm apart. When they have 3–4 true leaves, further thinning to 6–8 cm spacing is needed. After transplanting, 1,000 kg of diluted manure water per 667 square meters is beneficial.
Boron deficiency can lead to issues like black spots on leaves, deformed foliage, and hard or discolored roots. To prevent this, 0.7–3 kg of borax per 667 square meters should be applied in deficient soils. The crop is ready for harvest 60–100 days after planting, with an average yield of 1,000–1,500 kg per 667 square meters.
For seed production, healthy, pest-free plants are selected in autumn or winter. Leaves are removed, and the roots are replanted in a reserved field at 70 cm x 50 cm spacing. The seeds mature between June and July, yielding approximately 50 kg per 667 square meters.