Cabbage Megaton – the most productive medium late hybrid

White cabbage has long been grown in private plots. It is unpretentious in care, and due to its excellent taste it is widely used in cooking. Mid-season cabbage Megaton is considered the best variety for pickling and pickling – dense leaves do not sour in brine, remain elastic and crispy when stored in jars and barrels.

Description and characteristics of Megaton cabbage

The Megaton variety is an achievement of the Dutch specialists. This hybrid was obtained in the seed company Bejo Zader – one of the leaders in the world of breeding. In 1996, it was introduced into the State Register of Russia and is recommended for cultivation in most of the country, with the exception of the Middle Volga region.

White cabbage Megaton received recognition from gardeners for an unprecedented yield – 586-934 centners can be harvested per hectare, which exceeds the standard indicators of the Podarok and Slava Gribovskaya 231 varieties by 91-147 centners. And with good weather conditions and proper care, you can reach a record – the maximum yield of a hybrid is 1053 tzha, 361 tzha higher than the Amager 611 standard (Moscow region).

Megaton cabbage is famous for its harvests

The variety is medium late, ripens on the 136-168th day after germination; when grown through seedlings, it is possible to harvest in September already. By this time, forks are formed with an average weight of 3,2-4,1 kg, with a maximum weight of about 15 kg… Rounded light green leaves with a waxy coating, wavy at the edges, forming a large semi-raised rosette. The head of cabbage is dense, round, semi-covered, smooth, with a short inner stump.

Head of cabbage Megaton

Round head of cabbage Megaton, strong and dense

Megaton cabbage is also valued for its excellent taste. Juicy and crunchy leaves can be eaten fresh, but due to the presence of a large amount of sugars, they are not suitable for making stuffed cabbage rolls. But Megaton is the number one cabbage for pickling.

Sauerkraut

Megaton cabbage is great for pickling

The variety is immune to fusarium, moderately resistant to gray rot and keel. As a disadvantage, they note the short shelf life of fresh cabbage – no more than 3 months.

Video: Megaton cabbage

Features of growing cabbage

Megaton cabbage is grown through seedlings or by sowing in open ground.

Seedless way

Cabbage can be sown immediately in the garden to a permanent place. In late April – early May, when the heat is established (+ 15 ° C), and the soil warms up enough, the site is loosened, humus is introduced (10 kgm2) and complex fertilizer (45 g), spill with a hot solution of potassium permanganate and sow dry seeds into the marked grooves to a depth of 1 cm. Place 4–5 seeds in each hole. Sowing is carried out according to the scheme 70×45 cm.

Sowing seeds in the ground

Cabbage seeds can be sown directly into the soil on a prepared bed

Before the first shoots appear, the soil should be moistened with a sprinkler. If sowing is carried out in cold soil, the seeds will not germinate for a long time and will begin to swell only at a temperature of 5 ° C. The warmer the environment, the faster the seeds germinate: at 20 ° C sprouts appear in 4–5 days, at 10 ° C – much later, after 10–14 days.

The crops are covered with foil or agrofibre on arcs. Plastic bottles without a bottom, cans are used as insulation. In a warm time of the day, you should remove the shelter for ventilation.

Sowing cabbage under bottles

Cabbage develops well in the ground under bottles

When the first leaf appears, watering is carried out and dense plantings are thinned, leaving 2 stronger seedlings in the holes. After the appearance of 4 leaves, a second thinning is carried out, a weaker sprout is removed. Since frosts are possible in Siberia and the Urals even at the beginning of June, the shelter from the garden is removed only after the threat of return cold weather has passed.

With the seedless method, cabbage grows stronger, resistant to adverse weather conditions, but the harvest ripens later – 136-168 days after germination.

Video: a method of sowing cabbage in the ground

Seedbed method

The seedling method allows you to reduce the growing season to 115 days, but requires more time and effort from the gardener.

Seeding on seedlings

Sowing of Megaton cabbage seedlings is carried out from the second half of March to the 20th of April. Seeds are germinated in separate cups without picking or in seedling boxes followed by picking into pots.

Drained cabbage seeds Megaton

Pelleted seeds do not need pre-sowing treatment

Previously, seeds that do not have a protective shell are disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate, then exposed to contrasting temperatures: they are immersed in hot (15 ° C) water for 50 minutes, then kept in a refrigerator (1-2 ° C) for a day. The hardened seeds are dried to a free-flowing state, then they are sown.

  1. The containers are filled with a ready-made commercial substrate or a nutrient mixture from turf soil, humus and sand (1: 1: 1).
  2. The prepared soil mixture is preliminarily disinfected with a solution of Fitosporin.
  3. Sowing is carried out in rows according to the scheme 1×3 cm to a depth of 1 cm, 2-3 seeds are placed in individual cups each.Sowing cabbage in cells

    Place 2-3 cabbage seeds in each cell

  4. The seeds are sprinkled with earth, moistened with a spray bottle and covered with foil.
  5. Until the emergence of shoots, the containers are kept indoors at a temperature of 20-25 ° C.Cabbage seedlings

    Cabbage seedlings are thinned to provide them with the necessary nutrition and lighting.

  6. Sprouts appear quickly – after 4–5 days, when grown in a common box, they must be thinned out, increasing the distance between them to 2 cm, and only 1 strong sprout should be left in the cup.
  7. Then, for a week, the seedlings are transferred to a cooler place (10–12 ° C), watering with warm water when the topsoil dries up.
  8. In the future, the optimum temperature regime for the seedlings is set – 20–22 ° С.
  9. For seedlings, it is necessary to provide good diffused lighting; phytolamps can be used if necessary.Seedling cabbage

    Seedlings should be provided with good lighting to avoid pulling them out.

It is advisable to sow seeds for seedlings in several stages in order to replace weak seedlings in the garden if necessary, and also to be able to harvest as long as possible.

Pixoning seedlings

With the opening of the third true leaf, the seedlings are picked from the seedling boxes into individual pots. Previously, the cabbage is well moistened and removed along with a lump of earth. In a new container, the seedlings are buried at the level of the cotyledon leaves.

Pickling cabbage seedlings

When forming the 3rd leaf, seedlings from a common container are dived into separate cells

Seed dressing

During the seedling period, cabbage is fed three times:

  • after the opening of the 1st sheet (12 g of ammonium nitrate, 20 g of superphosphate, 5 g of potassium salt, 5 l);
  • a week later (liquid mullein or ammonium nitrate solution – 15 g5 l);
  • 2 days before planting in the ground (15 g of ammonium nitrate, 10 g of potassium salt and 40 g of superphosphate 5 l).

Fertilizing when watering

Watering seedlings is combined with fertilization

Hardening cabbage

A week before transplanting, the seedlings are accustomed to new conditions: first, the vents are opened, then they are taken out to the glassed-in loggia for several hours, and then into the garden. Pampered seedlings can die even with a slight cold snap, and hardened seedlings will withstand frosts down to -3 ° C.

Planting seedlings in the ground

Seedlings are planted in the ground at the age of 45-50 days. By this time they should have a strong stem 10–12 cm high and 3 pairs of true leaves. If the spring is protracted, it is worth postponing the transplant until warming.

Cabbage seedlings ready for planting in the ground

Seedlings with 5-6 open leaves and a strong stem are ready for transplanting into the ground

For cabbage, choose a well-lit area – in a shaded place, the head of cabbage is formed less dense, with small leaves. Mid-season varieties grow best on sandy or loamy soil after pumpkin, squash, potatoes, carrots, onions, beans and peas. On the beds where cruciferous crops previously grew, cabbage can be planted only after 3-4 years in order to reduce the risk of damage to its keel – fungal spores remain in the soil for a long time.

Cabbage beds

A sunny area should be reserved for cabbage.

Landing scheme

The site should be prepared in the fall: dig up and add 10 kg of humus. Cabbage develops very poorly on acidic soil, therefore, lime must be added to reduce acidity (500 gm2). In the spring, the loosened soil is fertilized with urea (30 g) and ash (500 gm2), mark grooves with an interval of 60 cm and make holes every 45 cm, in which 15 g of superphosphate are placed and 500 ml of water are poured. One seedling is planted in each hole, sprinkling to cotyledon leaves.

Planting cabbage

Megaton cabbage is planted in the ground according to the scheme 45×60 cm

At first, young cabbage is covered with non-woven material so that the bright sun or nighttime cold snaps do not destroy it. Strong plants quickly adapt to a new place, and weak shoots are best removed and planted with healthy seedlings.

Video: how to properly plant cabbage seedlings in open ground

How to care for cabbage outdoors

The harvest will depend on leaving. Therefore, the entire growing season must be moistened and loosened in the cabbage bed, fertilized and treated against diseases and pests.

Watering and loosening

Cabbage loves moisture – in the absence of watering in hot weather, the leaves become dry and lethargic. Watering it begins on the third day after planting in the ground, bringing 8 liters of water2 after 2-3 days. After 2 weeks, the number of waterings is reduced to 1 time in 7 days, while consuming more water – 12 lm2… In extreme heat, cabbage leaves must be irrigated from a watering can. It is better to do this early in the morning or in the evening, protecting wet foliage from burns under the scorching rays of the sun. In a rainy summer, watering is reduced – stagnant water in the soil often leads to root rot. During the laying of the forks, water is applied only at the root, and 2 weeks before harvesting, watering is stopped so as not to cause cracking of the heads.

Watering cabbage

Water-loving cabbage should be watered regularly

There are several ways to water cabbage:

  • on level ground, water is brought from a bucket into grooves, which are made in the aisles to a depth of 10 cm. After watering, the grooves must be sealed;
  • on areas with any relief, sprinkling can be used, in which water is sprayed over the plants from a hose with a spray or a watering can. However, during the formation of heads, this irrigation method is not suitable;
  • the most effective method is drip irrigation. Through pipes laid along the rows of cabbage, water is supplied under pressure and through the holes it flows directly to the plants. This irrigation option is very economical and greatly facilitates the work of farmers, especially in large areas.

Wet soil must be loosened to a depth of 7 cm so that a soil crust does not form, which prevents air from reaching the roots. After 3 weeks after planting the seedlings, the first hilling is carried out, after 10 days they are hilled again. Such agricultural practice contributes to the formation of additional roots, which subsequently has a positive effect on the quality of the crop.

Uplink of cabbage

Hilling is necessary for the formation of a strong root system of cabbage

Feeding

The need for nutrients depends on the age of the cabbage. At the initial stage of cultivation, it needs nitrogen, during the formation of heads of cabbage, the need for phosphorus and especially potassium increases.

Cabbage grown on fertile land

Large heads of cabbage with bright juicy leaves are formed on the fertile land

Experienced gardeners by the appearance of plants can easily identify the lack of nutrients in them. Thin and sluggish shoots, stunted growth indicate a nitrogen deficiency at the early stage of development. A sign of a lack of phosphorus is a change in the color of the leaves from green to purple. An insufficient amount of potassium leads to a marginal burn of the leaf.

When the first true leaf opens, cabbage sown directly to the garden is fed with a solution of ammonium nitrate (20 g10 l), Agricola (25 g10 l). After 2 weeks, a liquid suspension of chlorella (1 l to 10 l) is added to the soil.

Nitroammophoska

Nitroammofoska provides balanced nutrition for cabbage

After the formation of 6 true leaves, cabbage in the garden is fertilized with a nitrogen composition – mullein infusion (1:10) or urea (30 gm2) to strengthen the root system and quickly build up leaf mass. When laying the forks, Azofoska (50 gm2), Nitroammofosku (30 gm2).

An ideal replacement for mineral fertilizers is herbal infusion. Nettle, dandelion, burdock, yarrow, woodlice, shepherd’s bag in a crushed form are placed in a barrel, filling it into 34 parts, poured with water, covered with a lid and put to fermentation. After 5 days, the finished infusion is filtered, diluted with water 1:10 and brought to the garden bed. They begin to feed the cabbage with this infusion 2 weeks after planting the seedlings and fertilize it every 2 days over the next 14 months.

Herbal infusion

Instead of mineral fertilizers, you can feed the cabbage with herbal infusion

Video: growing cabbage

Protection against diseases and pests

Megaton cabbage is resistant to fusarium wilt, but when growing, gardeners sometimes encounter other diseases, the causes of which may be bad weather conditions or violations of agricultural technology.

Table: common cabbage diseases

Name of the disease
Symptoms
preventive measures
Treatment
Keela Seedlings lag behind in development, do not take root well after transplanting to the garden, the lower leaves dry out, growths form on the roots.

  1. Observe the crop rotation, return the crop to its original place no earlier than after 4 years.
  2. Disinfect the soil and seed material before planting in a solution of Fitosporin or potassium permanganate.
  1. Destroy the affected plants.
  2. Treat the soil and the remaining cabbage with a Homa solution (20 g 5 l), a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture. Carry out 2 more treatments with an interval of 10 days.

Peronosporosis Young cabbage is especially susceptible to disease in hot weather. Darkish spots appear on the upper side of the leaf, a grayish coating spreads from the lower part of the leaf plate. Regulate watering, avoid waterlogging.

  1. Powder the plants with wood ash.
  2. Treat with Fitosporin solution (6 g 10 l), again after a week.

Black leg The stem of the seedling in the root part darkens and rots. The plant dies.

  1. Thin crops.
  2. Do not overmoisten, use only warm water for irrigation.
  3. Spray in phase 2 of true leaves with 0,2% Fitosporin solution.
  1. Remove affected plants.
  2. Replace the substrate.
  3. Treat the seedlings with 1% Bordeaux mixture solution.

Photo gallery: cabbage diseases

Cabbage whale The formation of growths on the roots of cabbage is a sign of the development of a keel Peronosporoz With peronosporosis, a grayish bloom appears on the underside of the cabbage leaf. Blackleg Black leg can destroy all seedlings

On a note. Trying to use as little chemistry as possible in his summer cottage, the author of these lines planted a plot with cabbage around the perimeter with marigolds. And the plants themselves were sprayed in the summer with a solution of 70% vinegar essence (1 tbsp. L 10 l). The cabbage patch, surrounded by bright flowers, turned out to be very beautiful. I don’t know if this helped to keep the crops from pests. But after treatment with vinegar solution, not a single flea was seen on the cabbage leaves.

Marigolds in a cabbage patch

The cabbage bed is planted with marigolds – the strong smell of flowers repels pests

Table: pests threatening cabbage

vermin
Manifestations
Prevention
Measures
Cruciferous flea The parasites feed on the pulp of the leaves. They prefer to settle on young plants. If you do not fight them, the seedlings can completely die.

  1. Spray the leaves with water, especially in extreme heat.
  2. Dust plants and soil with ash.
  1. Treat with infusion of garlic (300 g 10 l) with the addition of 100 g of soap.
  2. Spray 2-3 times with an interval of 7 days with solutions of Karate (2 ml10 l), Actellik (20 ml10 l), Anabazine sulfate (10 g10 l).

Aphids Small insects are especially fond of the juicy leaves of young cabbage. Aphid colonies literally stick around the plants and, sucking the sap, greatly weaken them.

  1. Sprinkle.
  2. Cabbage beds should not be located next to the viburnum, on which aphids like to settle.
  1. Spray with herbal infusions – wormwood, nettle, chamomile, ash solution (300 g 10 l) with the addition of liquid soap (400 g).
  2. Treat with Aktellik solutions (2 ml 1 l), Intavir (1 tablet 10 l).

Cabbage whitewash Caterpillars feed on juicy leaves, eating them around the edges; in case of a large accumulation, they can destroy the flesh of the head of cabbage. Leaf-eating pests not only worsen the presentation of the vegetable, but also reduce its taste. Carefully examine the cabbage leaves and destroy the eggs that the female has laid.

  1. Collect and destroy caterpillars.
  2. Spray with solutions Fitoverma (8 ml 1 l), Intavira (1 tablet 10 l). Repeat the treatment after 10 days.

Photo gallery: cabbage pests

Cabbage whiting Cabbage whitewash hatches eggs on the leaves, from which larvae develop, causing great harm to plants Cruciflo flea The cruciferous flea makes holes in the leaves, feeding on juicy pulp aphid Massive accumulation of aphids on cabbage leaves is observed in dry hot weather

Video: how to deal with a cruciferous flea

Harvesting

The Megaton cabbage harvest ripens in September. Loose heads of cabbage can be used for fermentation, and more dense ones can be transferred to the basement for storage. Place the forks on the shelves on a layer of dry straw. Vegetables will keep well for 3 months in a humid room with a temperature of 1-2 ° C.

Megaton Cabbage Harvest

Cabbages of Megaton variety can grow up to 15 kg

Video: Megaton cabbage harvest

Cabbage seeds Megaton – the best producers

Of course, when choosing seeds, gardeners prefer well-known brands. However, the list of agrofirms is constantly changing, and in the face of fierce competition, young companies, taking care of their own reputation, must control germination, disease resistance, update seed collections, use the experience of domestic breeding and the achievements of foreign colleagues.

The leader in seed production is the Gavrish agricultural company. The company, which has been supplying seed to the domestic market for more than 20 years, has an excellent reputation. After all, the quality of seeds is carefully checked before packing in sachets; during storage, germination and germination energy are periodically determined.

Cabbage of the firm "Gavrish"

Firm “Gavrish” is a leader in the domestic seed market

SeDec is the oldest company on the Russian seed market. Since 1995, she has been engaged in varietal selection and seed production. High-quality seed material of the agricultural firm “SeDec” is used by farmers not only in our country, but also by foreign experts. The agrofirm cooperates with leading domestic breeders and seed companies in many countries of the world. Every year, more than 2000 varieties of various crops are tested here in protected and open ground on a 40-hectare experimental plot in the Moscow region, as well as in many regions of Russia with different climatic conditions, which is an additional guarantee of high quality seeds.

SeDek seeds

The SeDec trademark guarantees the high quality of the planting material

The company “Prestige” has also proved itself to be excellent, presenting on the Russian market the seeds of the leading foreign producers from Japan, Holland, Germany and Italy, as well as the achievements of domestic breeding. All seeds must be certified in Russia and are suitable for our climatic conditions. When purchasing Megaton cabbage seeds of the Prestige trademark, there is no doubt that the harvest will be rich, because for many years the company has been selling excellent raw material for the production of vegetables.

Seeds of the company "Prestige"

Firm Prestige supplies the market with the best seed material of foreign manufacturers

The Seeds for Siberia company has been on the seed market since 1996. She specializes in the packaging and sale of vegetable and flower crops. Its assortment also includes the best domestic seed producers.

Cabbage Megaton by "Seeds for Siberia"

Seeds for Siberia offers vegetable growers seeds with high germination

Since 1993 the company “New Seeds” has been known to vegetable growers in the Urals. The firm works with Dutch, Japanese vegetable seed producers and domestic breeders. Throughout the entire growing period – from sowing to harvesting and storage – the company provides advice on the production of agricultural products.

Cabbage Megaton from New Seeds

The New Seeds trademark is well known to the vegetable growers of the Urals

The company “Aquarelle”, founded in 2003, is engaged in the sale of Dutch seeds. The company offers over 150 types of vegetables and 300 varieties of flowers. Seed germination is strictly controlled here and at the output is close to 100%. Due to the high quality of seed material, it is readily purchased by farms and agricultural complexes.

Agrofirm “Artikul” has been producing and selling seeds since 1990. And if in the early 2000s, non-varietal seeds were often found in bags, nowadays there are practically no defective batches.

Seeds of the firm "Artikul"

Agrofirm “Artikul” conducts strict control of the seed

Seeds of the PLAZMAS trademark are in great demand among gardeners. The company supplies the market with plasma-treated seed material. This technology was developed by St. Petersburg scientists by placing seeds in a gaseous environment under reduced pressure. When the seeds are exposed to low-temperature plasma, life processes are stimulated, as a result, their germination is accelerated, the quality and quantity of the crop improves. Plasma seeds help out in dry summers: ordinary crops die, and these – grow perfectly. These seeds are ideal for high-risk farming areas.

Seeds of the firm "PLAZMAS"

The company “PLAZMAS” supplies the market with seeds that have undergone plasma treatment

Reviews

Megaton cabbage is a hybrid created by Dutch breeders with improved characteristics. It is the most productive variety of white cabbage with high palatability, retaining its presentation during transportation, and resistant to pathogens. It is no coincidence that gardeners who grow this vegetable on their plots are unanimous in their opinion – Megaton is a super cabbage.

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Anna Evans

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