Seedling Management Tips for Chinese Cabbage
Chinese cabbage is a native vegetable in China with a long cultivation history. Achieving high yields in Chinese cabbage farming requires meticulous seedling stage management. Here are the specific management points to note:
1. Inspecting and Supplementing Seedlings
Four to five days after the seedlings emerge, it is essential to inspect them:
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Identify areas with missing or broken rows of seedlings.
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Promptly supplement these areas to ensure uniform and robust growth.
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The method of supplementing seedlings is similar to transplanting, ensuring the supplemented seedlings are properly spaced and healthy.
2. Thinning and Setting Seedlings
Thinning should be done in stages to ensure the strongest seedlings are left to grow:
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First Thinning: After seedlings have developed two true leaves (excluding cotyledons):
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Ensure there is a gap of three to four centimeters between each plant.
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If there are many pests, remove affected plants to prevent spread.
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Second Thinning: When seedlings have four to five leaves:
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Remove dense seedlings, leaving the strong ones.
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Setting Seedlings: Align seedlings according to the required spacing for different varieties:
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This usually occurs around the rosette stage.
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Ensure the final spacing meets the specific needs of the cabbage variety being cultivated.
3. Root Irrigation Treatment
To prevent seedling mortality, perform root irrigation treatment after setting the seedlings:
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Prepare a mixture of Ruigen Shi and Cui Rui Fungicide for root irrigation:
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Mix 10 ml of Ruigen Shi and 20 g of Cui Rui Fungicide with 30 jin (approximately 15 liters) of water.
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Apply this mixture to the root area to prevent various seedling mortality issues.
4. Cultivation and Weeding
During the seedling stage, timely cultivation and weeding are necessary:
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High temperatures and heavy rainfall promote weed growth, making timely weeding crucial.
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Usually done after setting the seedlings, cultivation should not be too deep:
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Only remove the weeds and lightly loosen the surface soil.
5. Water and Fertilizer Management
After transplanting, appropriate watering and fertilization are key:
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Watering:
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Adhere to frequent, light watering based on the growth condition of the seedlings.
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Ensure timely drainage during continuous rainy weather to prevent waterlogging.
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Fertilization:
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Once the plants have stabilized, apply fertilizer by digging holes or small trenches between rows or plants.
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Apply 3-6 kg of urea per mu (approximately 0.067 hectares) to promote healthy seedling growth.
6. Disease and Pest Control
Focus on preventing common diseases and pests during the seedling stage:
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Target viral diseases, downy mildew, aphids, cabbage worms, and soil pests.
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Preventative measures:
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Use scientific seed selection and sterile seeds and seedbeds.
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Maintain appropriate planting density to enhance field ventilation and light.
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Avoid waterlogging and excessive humidity to reduce disease incidence.
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Use appropriate pesticides if necessary, ensuring targeted and scientific application.
In conclusion, effective seedling management of Chinese cabbage not only saves effort in subsequent management tasks but also lays the foundation for improving quality and increasing yields. Adjust these key points based on the actual planting conditions for the best results.
