Crispy and tasty cabbage from your garden - all the nuances of growing the Vestri F1 variety

Vestri F1 cabbage is a powerful hybrid that produces large forks of 4-8 kg. The vegetable is promising for cultivation in open beds and field conditions.

History of origin

The Vestry originated from wild species that were seen in Western Europe and Africa. It first appeared in Ancient Spain. Local residents called the hybrid “ashchi”. Since cabbage itself required serious care, people kept the secrets of growing it. Subsequently, Vestri spread to the territories of the Roman Empire, Greece and Egypt.

The second homeland of the hybrid is Russia . Our farmers, famous for their great hard work, were sensitive to its cultivation. Cabbage was a valuable everyday product that a common person could afford to consume.

An ancient reference manual of Kievan Rus (“Izbornik Svyatoslav”), which had a separate section, has survived to this day. It indicated the safety and methods of using the hybrid.

Description and characteristics of the variety

The hybrid is a classic, has an attractive appearance and commercial characteristics. It is in demand on the market.

Ripening (to the stage of technical ripeness) occurs in medium terms. The harvest can begin to be harvested after 105-110 days.

Among the characteristic distinctive features:

• shortened stumps (internal and external);
• slightly bubbly leaves;
• strong raised rosette;
• coloring is rich green;
• moderate waxy coating;
• slight waviness of the outer edge;
• covered type of forks;
• the shape is round and slightly flattened;
• excellent density 4-4.8 points (maximum score 5 points);
• consistency is homogeneous;
• The forks are light on the cut.

Heads of cabbage weigh in the range of 4-8 kg.

Cabbage can be stored for a long time until mid-winter (4 months). Forks are cut into fresh salads, processed, and added to hot dishes.

History of origin

Vestri F1 cabbage is bred from several wild European and African species. Initially, the appearance occurred in Ancient Spain, where cabbage was called “ashchi”. The secrets of care were passed down secretly from generation to generation. Later, the hybrid spread to countries such as Greece and Egypt. It was especially popular in the Roman Empire.

The hybrid was to the taste of Russian farmers, who diligently and industriously cultivated it on their plots. There are references to cultivation and application techniques in Svyatoslav’s Collection.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• resistant to diseases;
• large sizes;
• excellent taste;
• versatility in cooking;
• uniformity in shape;
• high yield.

Flaws:

• grows for a long time;
• short-term storage;
• poorly grown indoors;
• systematic loosening and watering is necessary.

Anyone planning to start growing cabbage may be interested in studying information about such varieties as Podarok, Centurion F1, Sugarloaf, Kolobok, Moskovskaya late, Valentina, Slava, Amager, Zimovka and Nozomi.

Instructions for care and planting

Where and how much can you buy seeds?

Most often, cabbage seeds can be purchased in an online store , but there are exceptions. The price for them ranges from 15 to 40 rubles per 10 pieces.

A selection of stores in Moscow and St. Petersburg:

1. Moscow, metro station Rokossovsky Boulevard, Otkrytoe sh., 14, building 2.
2. Moscow, metro station Komsomolskaya, Rizhsky proezd, 3.
3. Moscow, metro station VDNKh, st. 1st Ostankinskaya, 53 (Shopping center "Rapira", pavilion 26E).
4. Moscow, metro station VDNKh, Prospekt Mira, 119, VDNH Park, pavilion 7, hall 2.
5. Moscow, metro station Maryina Roshcha, 3rd proezd Maryina Roshcha, 40, building 1, room 11.
6. Moscow, metro Timiryazevskaya, st. Yablochkova, 21.
7. St. Petersburg, metro Ladozhskaya, Zanevsky pr., 65, building 2, TC "Platforma".
8. St. Petersburg, metro station Pionerskaya, Kolomyazhsky pr., 15, building 2.
9. St. Petersburg, metro station Moskovskaya, st. Altayskaya, 16.

When is the best time to root a young plant?

Since Vestri is a mid-season cabbage (the period from germination to technical maturity is 85 - 95 days), it should be planted as early as possible . The optimal time is early March.

Preparing seedlings

To begin with, it is best to grow cabbage in separate containers (use peat pots). Depending on the weather, determine the time for planting seedlings in open ground. Seedlings should be planted when they are already quite strong and developed. However, it will be better if you do this earlier, because the plant will have more time to get used to the new place.

Cabbage seedlings grow best in sunny greenhouses , since there is no sub-zero temperature at night. Thus, the seedlings grow healthy and prepared for growing in open ground.

Temperature and soil

Cabbage can withstand cold well, but loves warmth and light. The formed heads can withstand temperatures from -5 to -8°. Temperatures above +25° are considered fatal for Vestry. 15-18 C° is considered optimal.

This variety needs well-warmed and fertile soil with low acidity. The best predecessors are legumes, cucumbers and potatoes.

However, any crop that has received enough fertilizer will do. The seed depth is 1.5-2.5 cm. This is where cabbage seeds should be planted for optimal growth.

Vegetable care

Cabbage planted in open ground should be watered with warm water (18-23°). The root system of the hybrid may suffer from hypothermia. Vestri needs moisture constantly: especially after planting seedlings and after the head of cabbage begins to form. The plant should be watered several times a day. The main thing is not to overdo it. Otherwise, the vegetable will rot.

Important! Hilling up is required after rain or watering! The process is carried out until the rosettes of the emerging leaves close. The procedure is carried out 2-3 times, it will allow the formation of additional roots.

Specifications

Vestry is a hybrid that was the result of many years of selection by employees of the Dutch agricultural company Monsanto. In 2006, the variety was included in the state register of fruit and vegetable crops of the Russian Federation as a plant intended for cultivation in open ground in five regions of the state: Central, Ural, West Siberian, East Siberian and Volgo-Vyatka.

The described hybrid has an average ripening period and, after planting the seedlings, is ready for harvesting in 80–95 days. Unlike other varieties, Vestri boasts versatility in use. Cabbage, thanks to the juiciness and crispy structure of the leaves, is ideal for preparing salads, pickling or pickling. The vegetable can also be preserved well for the winter. If optimal storage conditions are provided, it can “stay” without changing its taste and aesthetic qualities for 3-4 months.

• Vegetable growers who cultivate cabbage of the described variety note a number of its key advantages:
• large fruit;
• excellent taste and aesthetic qualities of heads of cabbage;
• resistance to many diseases, in particular Fusarium wilt;
• universal purpose of fruits;
• uniformity in shape and size of heads of cabbage;
• high yields.

• The culture also has some disadvantages:
• poorly cultivated in closed soil conditions;
• demanding soil loosening and regular watering.

How to grow seedlings

Experts recommend growing the Vestri hybrid using the seedling method, since the seed method is less effective.

Timing for planting seeds

The hybrid belongs to the category of plants with an average ripening period, so it is necessary to plant seedlings, and accordingly, sow seeds, as early as possible. The optimal time for sowing seed material is considered to be from mid-March to mid-April.

Did you know? Some scientists claim that the Vestri hybrid originated from wild varieties of cabbage growing in Western Europe and America. At the same time, it was first noticed in the territory of Ancient Spain, where locals called cabbage “ashchi”. In subsequent years, the vegetable found its way to Ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome.

Soil mixture

Vestri cabbage prefers a light, nutritious and breathable soil mixture, which includes: one part each of turf soil and humus, wood ash, at the rate of 10 tbsp. l. for every 10 kg of soil.

The soil mixture prepared in an apartment must be disinfected using one of the available methods:

• freeze the soil for a day in the freezer;
• ignite the earth in the oven at +180°C for half an hour;
• spill the soil with a not very concentrated solution of potassium permanganate.

To sow grains, you can use a store-bought soil mixture, and there is no need to disinfect it.
To grow seedlings, it is recommended to immediately prepare separate peat pots or disposable plastic cups in which the seeds will be placed. The fact is that cabbage has a negative attitude towards diving, and planting in separate containers will make it possible to avoid the procedure and plant the seedlings immediately in the ground.

Seed preparation

Seed material must be carefully prepared before sowing. To do this it:

1. Calibrate . Place the seeds in a glass with a salt solution for 20–30 minutes. The grains that have sunk to the bottom of the container are used for sowing; those that have floated to the surface are thrown away due to their unsuitability.
2. Disinfect . The material is wrapped in a small piece of cloth or gauze and immersed in warm water at a temperature of +45…+50°C. After 20–25 minutes, the seeds are cooled with cold water for several minutes. This heat treatment allows you to destroy pathogens of various diseases, as well as speed up the process of grain germination.
3. Soak in a solution of nitrophoska . The seeds are placed in a mineral solution for 12 hours, which will activate seed germination.
4. Tempered . After some time, when the seeds swell, they are wrapped in gauze and placed in the refrigerator for one day, overnight. During the daytime, the seed material is kept at room temperature, and at night it is again sent to the refrigerator. After a few days of such hardening, the grains can be sown in the ground.

Sowing seeds

Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out in several stages:

• a soil mixture 8–10 cm high is poured into prepared containers;
• make depressions of 0.5–1 cm in the ground, into which 2-3 seeds are dropped;
• the seed material is covered with soil, the surface is moistened with a sprayer.

In order for the seeds to germinate faster, the container is covered with plastic film to create a greenhouse effect and placed in a warm place with stable temperatures of +18...+22°C.

Crop care

5–7 days after sowing the seed, the first shoots should appear. At this time, the plastic shelter is removed, and the container with the sprouts is transferred to a cooler place, with a temperature of +15...+18°C.

In order for seedlings to fully grow and develop, they need to organize a 12-14-hour daylight hours, regular moisture and constantly keeping the soil moist.

Important! It is very important to maintain a balance of soil moisture: the soil should be moderately moist, but under no circumstances soggy.

If the seedlings were grown in one container, then, when 5-6 fully developed leaves are formed on it, they are planted into separate pots. Approximately 14 days before transplanting seedlings into open soil, they begin to harden them:

• the container with seedlings is taken out daily during the daytime to the street or balcony;
• in the first days, the seedlings are left in the air for 5-6 hours, the duration is gradually increased;
• after 7 days, the container with seedlings is no longer brought into the room and is left outside until the sprouts are planted in the ground.

Fertilizing before rooting in open ground

1. First liquid feeding carried out one and a half weeks after picking seedlings:
   • ammonium nitrate – 2.5 g;

   superphosphate – 4 g;

2. potassium chloride – 1 g.

Dissolve all ingredients in a liter of water.

3. Second liquid feeding , carried out another week: ammonium nitrate - 3-4 g.
   Dissolve in a liter of water.
4. Third liquid feedingwhich is carried out a few days before planting seedlings:
   • potassium chloride – 2 g;

   superphosphate – 8 g;

5. ammonium nitrate – 3 g.

Also dissolve in a liter of water.

During the period of increasing volume, cabbage consumes a large amount of elements from the soil. Therefore, the hybrid needs systematic feeding. Vestries are excellent at absorbing organic matter. It is advisable to add manure for autumn plowing, and in spring it requires nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. It is also advisable to place manure at a shallow depth.

Reviews from gardeners

Valentina Igorevna, Voronezh, 45 years old.

I really like Vestri F1. I grow it for sale in pickled form. They sell out with a bang because they are very tasty.

Yuri Antonovich, Kharkov, 51 years old.

It can be stored for up to 4 months, but if you plant it as seedlings in June and cut it in November, it will be stored longer. We tried this several times. Cabbage itself is delicious, ideal for sourdough.

Olga Dmitrievna, Kyiv, 39 years old.

For me, there is no better pickling variety than Megaton and Vestri. Excellent cabbage.

Harvesting

Since the period from sunrise to technical maturity is 85-95 days, harvesting should be done in July and August. Harvesting cabbage is not at all difficult; The main thing is to know some features, the observance of which will preserve the quality of the vegetable. All you need is a sharp knife or spatula (in case you want to dig up the cabbage along with the root).

1. Lightly cut off the head of cabbage, leaving the lower leaves and the fertile stem (3 to 5 cm long).
2. Do not place cabbages on the ground. It is better to place them on a covered soil or container.
3. If you want to preserve the cabbage, keep the cut heads in the garden. The top leaves should wilt.
4. When digging a hybrid from the soil, thoroughly clean the root system from the soil and tear off the yellowed leaves.
5. Also dry the cabbage with roots on the covered soil.

Important! Do not forget to dig up the remaining roots and root stalks so that various diseases cannot develop in them.

A properly harvested crop will be stored throughout the fall and early winter. Vestri quickly deteriorates when fresh (about 3-4 months), so most often the majority of heads of cabbage are used for pickling. In this case, the vegetable does not lose vitamins and nutrients. If you are more interested in cabbage varieties suitable for long-term fresh storage, read a separate article.

Diseases and pests, as well as their prevention

The Westri hybrid is quite resistant to common diseases . It is not afraid of fusarium wilt and vascular bacteriosis (black rot).

Not only people, but also various pests love to eat cabbage. Since Vestri leaves are very sweet, the vegetable is susceptible to attack by insects such as:

• Babanukha (cabbage leaf beetle);
• baride;
• whitefly;
• cabbage flies;
• cabbage moth caterpillars.

The main protective measures are the careful removal of all post-harvest plant residues from the beds, weed control, and digging the soil before planting. Regularly spray the crop with water, followed by loosening the soil and fertilizing it with humus. Use a variety of traps using tobacco as bait (the smell of this plant attracts curious insects).

To get rid of cabbage flies, you will need to spray the vegetable with burdock infusion , which is infused for two days (put 2.5 kg of crushed leaves into 9 liters of warm water). Strain the resulting mass.

Thus, Vestri is in no way inferior to other hybrids. Despite the difficulty of growing and long ripening, it takes root well in summer cottages. A bouquet of bright green leaves will complement any dish and give it a zest. If you are diligent in planting vegetables, then the taste of Vestri will undoubtedly delight you and your loved ones.