Amager cabbage: description, growing methods, photos

Description

Gardeners first learned about the Amager variety in the mid-40s of the last century. Such cabbage can rightfully be called a “long-liver”, because in terms of its existence its age has already exceeded seven decades.

The parental forms for the new variety were taken by breeders from the seeds of Swiss varieties of cabbage; Amager was listed in the catalog of the State Register in 1943. The variety is recommended for all regions, excluding Siberia. True, some summer residents of this harsh region manage to grow it by sowing seedlings in the early stages.

On a note! Cabbage is available for sale with two names: simply Amager and with the addition of the numbers 611. There is no particular difference in the main characteristics; Amager is a variety of variety that is resistant to high temperatures.

It is grown by private owners and on farms on an industrial scale.

Amager or Amager 611?

Beginner gardeners often ask what the cabbage is called: Amager or Amager 611? It must be said that both names are correct. Initially, VNIISSOK developed a variety whose name included numbers. It was intended for planting in all regions of our vast Motherland, with the exception of the northernmost corners, where the late garden crop does not have time to ripen.

But after some period of time, small varietal changes occurred. Amager 611 cabbage seeds, which were collected in the southern regions of the country, became more resistant to elevated daytime temperatures. The crop has little resistance to the effects of drought. At the same time, all the main varietal characteristics were preserved in full. This “subvariety,” so to speak, began to be called without numbers.

Now on the territory of the Russian Federation, most often, if not everywhere, you can find bags of Amager 611 seeds. In Moldova, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and other former Soviet republics, in most cases Amager cabbage seeds are found on the shelves of agricultural stores.

Characteristics of the variety

The plant is medium in size, with a semi-raised rosette. The width of a spreading cabbage bush reaches 110-120 cm in maturity.

The lower leaves rise slightly above the ground surface. The stump is dense, length – 25-30 cm. Leaves with a concave middle, wide. The color is greenish-gray, with a strong waxy coating. Corrugation is clearly visible on the surface along the edges. The leaf blades are “planted” on medium-sized petioles, 10-13 cm long.

The forks are round, slightly flattened, with a dense structure. The average weight is 4 kg, although specimens also grow up to 5-6 kg. Gardeners praise this variety for its productivity; they harvest up to 60 tons per hectare. In amateur gardening, entire beds are often set aside for this cabbage, placing them in cellars for winter storage after harvesting.

Amager belongs to the group of late-ripening cabbage species. The ripening period of forks is 150-170 days, but the exact time depends on a number of factors:

• method of cultivation (seedlings, directly into the ground);
• climate of the area;
• care.

The taste of the heads of cabbage is pleasant, with a pronounced cabbage aroma. Immediately after harvesting the forks, Amager leaves are slightly bitter. After being stored for storage, after about a couple of months, the heads of cabbage gain juiciness, sweetness, and the bitterness goes away.

How to distinguish from others?

Among many other late varieties, Amager stands out with some unique differences. Let's see how you can distinguish it from others:

1. First of all, we inspect the head of cabbage - its shape should be round, but slightly flattened, and large in size.

2. 
   We look at the color of the leaves - they should be gray-green (bluish-green) with the obligatory waxy coating (other varieties do not have such a coating).

3. We check the shape of the leaves - they are semi-concave, wide, slightly wavy, only upon careful inspection can you notice small teeth along the edges. There should be no wrinkles on the leaves, they are absolutely smooth.
4. We inspect the external stump - its size should be approximately 20 - 25 cm.
5. Next, the head of cabbage can be cut - when cut, it becomes clear whether the head is loose or dense; in the Amager variety it is very dense. It is also important to check the color - the color inside should be snow-white when cut.

Advantages and disadvantages

The late-ripening variety is appreciated by amateur gardeners and farmers. Over a long period of cultivation, Amager cabbage has shown itself to be excellent in different regions, including areas of risky farming.

Advantages:

• in descriptions of the variety, increased keeping quality is given first place among the “advantages”. Cabbage is perfectly preserved until the end of April, the taste not only does not deteriorate, but even improves over time;
• stable yield;
• high yield (6-7 kg per square meter);
• cold resistance (in some cases even frost resistance, down to minus 3ºC);
• high transportability.

Even with prolonged rains and cold weather, the heads of cabbage on the ridges do not crack.

But the variety has disadvantages:

• Amager 611 does not tolerate high temperatures;
• low resistance to some cabbage diseases: spot necrosis, fusarium, bacteriosis;
• stunting during prolonged heat.

Knowing about these features, it is necessary to provide for increased irrigation of plantings during long hot periods and to follow the rules of agricultural technology. Following the recommendations for planting, watering, fertilizing, and storage will help prevent fork diseases and reap a high harvest.

When to clean, is it possible to ferment

As soon as the night temperature drops to -2°C, this will serve as a signal for harvesting. In this case, you cannot hesitate, since the heads of cabbage may freeze, which will negatively affect their storage. The collected heads of cabbage should be sorted into those suitable for long-term storage and those that need to be processed immediately.

For storage, choose a room with good ventilation, where you can provide a temperature within -1 ... + 1 ° C and air humidity at 90–95%. In such conditions, cabbage, having excellent shelf life, can be stored until April.

To the question whether Amager cabbage is suitable for pickling, you should answer in the affirmative - it is suitable. It is the late varieties that are ideal for fermentation, accumulating the maximum amount of nutrients and vitamins by the time of harvest.

Sauerkraut is used as a medicine for food poisoning and dysbiosis and serves as an excellent remedy for improving the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract. The calorie content of sauerkraut is only 27 kcal, so it can be included in diets for weight loss.

Amager cabbage is a popular and reliable variety. It is unpretentious in cultivation and has excellent yields of high-quality fruits. Seeds of this variety are gladly purchased by both large farms and owners of summer cottages.

Agricultural technology of cabbage

The late-ripening variety is grown in different ways:

• sow in the ground;
• First, seeds are sown for seedlings at home or in greenhouses, then transplanted to a permanent place in the garden.

The age of the seedlings is 45-50 days. Taking this into account, gardeners in the northern regions sow seeds in the last days of April. Around June 10-15, the seedlings, after mandatory hardening, are placed on ridges.

In the regions of the North-West, the Urals, and the Moscow region, it is recommended to grow this variety only through seedlings. This way you can gain the right time, and late-ripening cabbage will produce strong, dense heads of cabbage by autumn. In the southern regions, Amager is cultivated by sowing in the ground, dates: early April.

We also recommend “Aggressor” cabbage for planting.

Features of growing seedlings

This variety is susceptible to disease, so before sowing, the seed material must be disinfected and then hardened. Sow in boxes, in separate pots.

On a note! For disinfection, it is convenient to use regular potassium permanganate (pink solution) or Fitosporin solution.

The usual temperature for growing seedlings is no higher than +18 ºC, otherwise the plants will stretch. They dive in about 14-16 days. Fertilizing with complex fertilizer:

• the appearance of the third leaf is the first feeding;
• with the fourth leaf - the second feeding.

If the plants are strong, with thick stems and wide leaves, do not apply fertilizer.

Comfortable conditions for the growth of cabbage can be easily provided in greenhouses or greenhouses. Seedlings grow without picking, until planting in a permanent place. Seedlings in such shelters grow strong, healthy, and even.

Landing in the ground

Usual planting pattern: 60 cm between holes. The same distance is left between the rows of vegetables. For work, choose a cloudy day, in the morning or late afternoon. The wells are first spilled with boiling water and a solution of phytosporin.

Care

The main measures of agricultural technology are standard:

• regular watering with mandatory monitoring of the condition of the plant and soil;
• application of fertilizers at various stages of growth;
• loosening;
• weeding.

The Amager variety loves moderately moist soils and requires full watering. The volume is calculated taking into account the age of the plants and weather conditions. Responds well to mulching. For mulch use:

• hay;
• measles;
• peat.

Mulching will reduce the evaporation of moisture from the soil and reduce the number of waterings. Since the rosette of the variety is raised, the plants must be hilled. Reception promotes the formation of a powerful root system, large leaves, and dense heads of cabbage.

Feed 3-4 times per season, in the furrows or at the root. They combine fertilization with watering or fertilize after rains.

30 days before harvesting the forks, watering is completely stopped.

Scheme:

• the first feeding 15-16 days after planting the plants in a permanent place, use complex fertilizer, or a mixture of superphosphate (20 grams) and potassium salt (20 grams) per bucket of water;
• after 10-12 days, feed with diluted mullein (1:10), 0.5 liters for each bush;
• third feeding - after 15-18 days, with infusion of ash, diluted mullein, herbal infusion;
• The plantings are “fed” for the fourth time after another 15-20 days, adding complex fertilizer.

Wood ash is not only added in the form of infusions, but also the soil near the plants is dusted with a dry sifted mixture. Do not allow solutions with fertilizers to get on the leaves of the vegetable.

How and when to plant seedlings in a permanent place

It is advisable not to miss the time of planting seedlings in permanent beds, since overgrown seedlings will not produce large heads of cabbage, and they will ripen later. The best time is when the first four leaves are present.

Optimal timing

Cabbage seedlings can be planted in a permanent bed in the garden at the end of May or beginning of June, taking into account climatic and weather conditions. The soil temperature for planting seedlings should be within +4...+12°C. The hot sun can damage fragile plants, so it is advisable to shade the beds with cloth or burdock leaves for the first few days.

Choosing a location on the site

The growing area should be selected on a level and well-lit place, the soil should be thoroughly dug and loosened to ensure moisture and breathability. It is necessary to avoid those areas where cabbage, turnips, radishes, and mustard previously grew.

But the desirable precursors for cabbage are legumes, root vegetables and cucumbers. Lettuce, celery, and leeks planted next to cabbage contribute to better development and protection from pests, and dill will also improve its taste. To prevent diseases, cabbage plants are not planted in the same area earlier than after 4 years.

Did you know? If you sow marigolds among the cabbage, the garden bed will
not only look aesthetically pleasing, but you will also not have to treat the cabbage leaves with insecticides.

Planting pattern and depth

Scheme for planting seedlings: 50–60 cm between sprouts and 60–70 cm between rows. Plantings should not be thickened, as these plants are light-loving. The seedlings must be buried to the lower leaves. The soil under the plants should be sprinkled with a crushed mixture of tobacco and ash, which will repel pests and serve as fertilizing.

Prevention of diseases

The Amager variety is susceptible to various diseases. Among the dangerous ones is fusarium wilt, which can occur immediately after seedlings are planted on the ridges. There is also weak resistance to bacteriosis and, during storage, to necrosis.

Main diseases of the Amager variety, prevention and treatment

The Amager variety will not cause any trouble when growing if you follow the recommendations of agronomists. Full care with the application of fertilizers according to the norms, moderate regular watering, loosening - all this will allow you to get a high yield and save it until spring.

Treatment of plantings on ridges with compositions according to folk recipes will help get rid of pests:

• tobacco decoction;
• ash infusion;
• dry mixture of black pepper, mustard powder.

Marigolds, dill, calendula, and other plants with a pungent odor that repel insects are sown near cabbage. Chemicals are used for large numbers of pests, strictly observing treatment standards.

Growing conditions

As mentioned earlier, Amager 611 is grown everywhere in two ways, excluding the northernmost regions of Russia - there the heads of cabbage do not have time to ripen.

1. Sowing seeds in the ground.
2. Sowing seeds for seedlings.

The seeds are planted directly at the end of April, while in regions with cold climates it is advisable to grow cabbage only by seedlings. The agricultural technology of sowing is as follows. Cabbage seeds are sown for seedlings in late March - early April, while the grown seedlings are transplanted into open ground starting from the end of April. Growing times vary in different regions.

Watering plants

To obtain a good harvest of Amager cabbage, constant, abundant watering is important. Use water heated to summer temperature. Cold water will delay plant development and harvest. Usually, cabbage seedlings are watered at the root in specially prepared holes - a hole is made around the trunk of the crop, raising the soil along the edges so that the water does not leak out. It is not recommended to pour water on the leaves - it will cause sunburn.

Two months before harvesting, watering is reduced in order to prevent cracking of ripe heads of cabbage. Watering is stopped completely within a month.

To reduce water consumption when watering around plants, mulch the soil. In such soil, fewer weeds grow, and watering is reduced to once a week.

Plant nutrition

Fertilizers are applied at least once a month. 2 weeks after planting the seeds, the seedlings are fed with a mixture of urea and potassium fertilizers, superphosphate and water in a ratio of 10:20:10.

When planting seedlings, organic fertilizers are added to the holes. Subsequent fertilizing is carried out no earlier than 15 days after planting the seedlings in the ground. The following materials are used as fertilizers:

• rotted grass,
• compost,
• mullein,
• chicken droppings,
• potassium chloride,
• superphosphate,
• urea,
• boric acid,
• wood ash.

These fertilizers are alternated with each other or used in combination - 2-3 fertilizers once a month.

Late feeding in August is carried out to increase the winter storage period and improve the quality of late heads of cabbage. For this purpose, potassium, nitrogen, mullein, and boric acid are used.

Harvesting

As a late-ripening variety, Amager heads of cabbage are ready for harvest no earlier than the end of September. Northwestern gardeners often leave cabbage to ripen until early October. Adult plants are not afraid of slight frosts or the first snow.

Cut cabbage on a dry day, making sure to leave a long stalk. Place it in a dry basement or cellar for storage. The upper outer leaves on the forks are partially removed by placing the cabbage on racks or hanging it by a stump.

With the correct humidity and air temperature, the variety lasts until mid-spring. This is especially convenient for those who prefer to ferment cabbage not immediately in the fall, but gradually over the course of the winter.

Reviews from gardeners

Some gardeners have been growing the Amager variety for generations, and they have no complaints. There is good keeping quality and the fact that the forks do not crack even during prolonged rains. The presence of bitterness during the first two months after harvesting from the garden is called a disadvantage. It is advised to treat young plants with anti-rot preparations in a timely manner.

Amager is an excellent late variety for cultivation by amateurs and farmers. Thanks to its positive characteristics, it has held a leading position among the variety of cabbage for about 100 years.

Landing

Let's find out how to plant Tobia cabbage.

Deadlines

Like all other cabbage varieties, in our climate Tobia cabbage is also grown through seedlings. You can plant seeds at different times: from April Fools' days until May. Thanks to different sowing dates, you can harvest from June until autumn.

Soil and containers

In order for the seedlings to turn out strong and healthy, the seeds should be planted in nutritious and light soil. To make your work easier, use store-bought ready-made substrates - they are already optimally selected and disinfected.

If you want to prepare the soil yourself, use the following components:

• turf land;
• humus;
• compost;
• peat.

Cabbage seedlings are germinated in shallow containers no more than 6 cm high.

Seed preparation

According to gardeners, the germination rate of high-quality store-bought Tobia cabbage seeds is 100 percent. Nevertheless, proper preparation will speed up germination and make the seedlings more hardened and stronger.

Preparation process:

1. The first step is to inspect the seeds and select only the largest and highest quality specimens for planting. Discard weak, darkened and deformed seeds immediately.
2. The seeds need to be hardened to make the cabbage resistant to bad weather. For the purpose of hardening, the seeds are dipped into hot (50 degrees) water for 20 minutes, then immediately into cold water.
3. The seeds are treated to protect the cabbage from infections and fungi. To do this, seeds in gauze are immersed in a manganese solution. After sanitization, it is necessary to rinse the seed in running water.
4. Stratification is an important stage. To do this, the seeds are wrapped in damp gauze and placed in the refrigerator in the vegetable compartment. After a day, the seeds usually hatch. You can plant.

Features of sowing and caring for seedlings

• You can plant cabbage seeds both in a common container and in cassette containers, individual pots, and cups. Peat tablets are also suitable - a very convenient way of planting.
• The seeds are buried 1 cm into the soil; when sowing in a common container, leave a distance of 3 cm between the seeds.
• The top of the container must be covered with film or glass. This protection will create a greenhouse effect inside that is favorable for seed germination.
• Optimal temperature for germination: +20-22 degrees. When the sprouts have already sprouted, the container is placed in a cooler place to prevent the seedlings from being pulled out.
• If planting was carried out in a common container, at the stage of the second leaf the seedlings should be pricked.
• Feeding cabbage seedlings is done after picking, and then weekly until planting in the ground.
• Remember that seedlings should be hardened off before planting in the garden. This will help plants adapt to cool conditions faster and easier.

Transplanting to a garden bed

At the age of 30-40 days, cabbage seedlings are ready to be transplanted to a permanent location. By this time, the plants should already have formed a strong, fleshy stem and 5-6 leaves.

The soil in the garden bed must meet the following characteristics:

• be moderately loose (preferably loamy);
• have neutral acidity.

If acidity levels are high, amend the soil by adding:

• ash;
• lime;
• dolomite flour.

Choose a well-lit bed for planting cabbage. If there is not enough sun, the head of cabbage will form loose and of poor quality.

Optimal predecessors:

• onion;
• cereals;
• legumes;
• carrot;
• tomatoes.