Chinese cabbage can be harvested just 80 to 90 days after sowing. Below you will find out what you need to pay attention to when sowing so that the Chinese cabbage thrives and does not form flowers prematurely.
When and how should Chinese cabbage be sown?
Chinese cabbage is sown in July in a sunny or partially shaded location in humus and nutrient-rich soil. Sow the seeds 1-2 cm deep, with 30-40 cm planting distance. Water regularly and fertilize every three weeks for optimal growth.
Getting seeds for sowing
You can get your own seeds for sowing by letting a Chinese cabbage bloom the previous year and collecting the small, black seeds. Buy your seeds from specialist retailers and pay attention to the information regarding sowing and planting distance.
Before sowing
Before sowing the Chinese cabbage, the soil must be prepared. To do this, dig it up loosely and mix in a good portion of compost. This gives the Chinese cabbage optimal starting conditions.
Is it necessary to prefer Chinese cabbage?
Since Chinese cabbage is only sown in summer anyway, it is not necessary to plant it early. However, if you want to be on the safe side, you can grow it in small bowls on a windowsill. It germinates ideally at a temperature of just under 20 degrees. After four weeks you can plant the plants outdoors.
Where do you sow seeds?
Chinese cabbage thrives in both a sunny and a partially shaded location. The condition of the soil is more important than sunlight: the soil should be humus and nutrient-rich.
When is Chinese cabbage sown?
Chinese cabbage is usually not sown until July. If you sow it earlier, there is a risk that it will produce flowers instead of leaves. It tends to do this when the day is twelve hours long and it is already large enough to produce flowers. A few varieties are sown earlier.
Planting distance and sowing depth
The seeds will be sown about 1 to 2 cm deep. There should be a distance of 30 to 40cm between each plant so that the Chinese cabbage plants do not prevent each other from growing. However, it is common practice to sow three seeds per 30cm, which are then thinned out as soon as the plants are a few centimeters tall. The principle here is: the stronger survives.
Care after sowing
After sowing, you should pay particular attention to adequate watering so that the plants never dry out. The Chinese cabbage needs to be watered regularly throughout the entire growth phase. It also makes sense to add fertilizer about every three weeks to provide the Chinese cabbage plants with sufficient nutrients.
