Koza-Dereza cauliflower: description, pros and cons, cultivation, reviews, photos

Description of Koza-Dereza cauliflower

Koza-Dereza cauliflower is distinguished by a compact rosette containing from 21 to 25 leaves. The color is green, but a grayish tint is visible; the surface of the foliage is covered with a barely noticeable bluish waxy coating.

The shape of the head is round, slightly convex, the tubercles are poorly visible.

Important! The average weight of cauliflower ranges from 600 to 800 g, but giants weighing about 3 kg also grow.

The inflorescences are distinguished by their juiciness and delicate structure; when cutting the head of cabbage, they do not crumble

The green foliage of the Goat-Dereza partially covers the snow-white inflorescences.

Features of cultivation

The Koza-dereza cauliflower variety in Russia is grown mainly through seedlings. The exception is the southern regions. Sowing dates are determined taking into account the weather conditions of your area. In the central part of the country, gardeners begin sowing at the end of March, and vegetable growers living in the Urals and Siberia, in early April.

Cauliflower variety Koza-dereza

Preparing for sowing

To improve seed germination, it is recommended to carry out pre-sowing treatment. Some gardeners, after briefly soaking the planting material in a solution of potassium permanganate, wrap it in a damp cloth and keep the bundle on the radiator. Fitosporin or Baktofit solutions are also used as disinfectants. To improve germination and strengthen the immunity of the crop, growth stimulants are used:

Another way to awaken the vital energy of seeds is to place them in hot water (50 degrees) for 30 minutes, then in cold water for 5 minutes. Next, the grains are mixed with wet sand and wrapped in polyethylene. The bag with planting material is left at room temperature during the day, and put in the refrigerator in the vegetable compartment at night.

When the seeds swell slightly and almost hatch, you can start sowing, but first you need to prepare the soil for growing seedlings. Cauliflower, like its relatives, is demanding on soil composition. It grows well in a substrate enriched with organic matter with a loose structure and a neutral acidity level.

Attention! Cabbage does not grow well in acidic soils. Such an environment is favorable for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms that cause crop diseases.

Experienced vegetable growers compose soil for seedlings from the following components:

The components are taken in approximately equal proportions; less sand can be used - within 15% of the total volume of soil. It is needed to give it looseness. Peat is taken no more than 10%, since it is acidic. Wood ash must be added to the mixture. This component helps protect plants from cruciferous flea beetles and serves as a mineral supplement.

Advantages and disadvantages

Any vegetable crop has its own advantages and disadvantages. Koza-Dereza cauliflower has the following advantages:

simultaneous ripening, which makes it possible to harvest several harvests per season;
high yield;
stable fruiting even in unfavorable weather;
resistance to temperature decrease;
pleasant taste;
good head tying.

Among the disadvantages, vegetable growers note that the Koza-Dereza variety is susceptible to diseases and pests, but with proper care these problems can be avoided.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Main advantages of the variety:
high productivity;
friendly formation of inflorescences and maturation;
excellent taste characteristics of the crop;
guaranteed stability of yield;
frost resistance;
good resistance to major crop diseases;
almost ideal fruit shape;
good shelf life and transportability;
the yield of commercial products is about 90%.

This cabbage also has minor drawbacks. First of all, the plant is considered quite whimsical, and therefore requires painstaking care and daily attention. Cabbage also requires bleaching; for this, during its growth, you need to build a small dome from the top leaves. This always requires additional labor and a lot of time.

Productivity of cauliflower variety Koza-Dereza

The average yield is 3.2 kg per 1 m² of area (with a planting density of 4 pieces per sq.m). When grown in several passes, you can harvest several times more from the plot.

Attention! From the moment the Koza-Dereza cauliflower seedlings are planted in the ground until the harvest is obtained, 50-70 days pass.

Ripening times depend on the climatic conditions of the region and the date of planting:

March-April – 55-65 days;
April-May – 50-60 days;
June-July – 53-69 days.

A little history

The first mentions of cauliflower were in the 11th century. It was called Syrian because it was grown by the Arabs. It had small white-green fruits. The taste is bitter. Even at that time, the benefits of this product were discovered. Ali ibn Sina himself recommended consuming this vegetable in winter to strengthen the immune system.

A century later, the medicinal vegetable came to Europe. It was the 12th century that was characterized by the emergence of the first varieties bred by Europeans. Back then cabbage was not given much importance.

Photo of Koza-dereza cabbage

Three centuries later, the vegetable began to be taken more seriously, and then the first European varieties began to appear. For Russian people, cauliflower was a luxury. Only wealthy people could afford it.

It was impossible to grow cauliflower on Russian soil due to the climate. Later, Russian breeders obtained varieties that could grow under the northern sun. Among them is Koza-Dereza cabbage.

This healing vegetable has not received proper distribution in Russian garden beds. Until now, the majority are in favor of white cabbage. Abroad, cauliflower is very popular. For example, in Europe it is grown 10 times more.

Planting and caring for Koza-Dereza cauliflower

Gardeners practice two methods of growing cauliflower: seedlings and seeds. According to their reviews, the first method shows greater efficiency, since climatic conditions in Russia are quite unpredictable.

To obtain Koza-Dereza cauliflower seedlings, seeds are sown in March or early April. After about 30-40 days, the seedlings will grow to 15 cm in height, 4-5 true leaves will appear on them, and they will be ready for transplanting.

The optimal distance that must be left between adjacent holes is 50 cm, between rows - 45 cm. Well-lit beds are chosen for planting. Koza-Dereza cauliflower does not tolerate shade, so it will not be possible to harvest the crop under the canopy of trees.

Important! To extend the fruiting period, it is recommended to plant the seeds not all at once, but at intervals of 10 days.

Koza-Dereza cauliflower seeds must undergo pre-planting treatment. They are wrapped in gauze and dipped in a weak solution of manganese, then kept in a damp cloth until they hatch. For wetting, you can use Epin, succinic acid or any biostimulant. Before planting, the seeds are treated with Fitosporin or another biofungicide. It is enough to keep the seed material in the preparation for 15 minutes.

Algorithm for obtaining Koza-Dereza cauliflower seedlings:

It is better to plant seeds in individual containers (peat cups), this will avoid picking and replanting. Cabbage has very fragile roots, so injuring them negatively affects the growth of the crop. 3-4 seeds are sown in a container, and after germination they are discarded, leaving the most powerful of them.
Use store-bought soil or home-made soil. For these purposes, humus, peat, sand, and soil are mixed (in equal proportions). Add 1 tsp per 1 liter of soil. wood ash. The soil is sterilized by keeping it in the freezer for 24 hours; you can water it with a 5% manganese solution.
Before planting, the soil in the containers is moistened. Cauliflower seeds are buried 0.5 cm and sprinkled with sand on top. To create a greenhouse effect, glass is installed on the container or film is stretched. Every day, carry out five minutes of ventilation.
Until the first shoots appear, the containers are kept in a dark place at a temperature of 22 ° C; when the seeds sprout, the air in the room is cooled to 10 ° C during the day and to 6 ° C at night. After a week, the temperature is increased to 16°C. Additional illumination is carried out with phytolamps; the duration of daylight hours for Koza-Dereza cauliflower is 12 hours.
Watering should be regular, but the soil should not be allowed to become waterlogged.
Feeding cauliflower seedlings is carried out twice: after the appearance of two true leaves and after 2 weeks. Rostock, Kemira-Lux and others are chosen as nutritional preparations.
1-2 weeks before planting in the ground, seedlings begin to harden. She is taken outside first for a few minutes, then the stay time is increased. In the last 2 days, the seedlings spend the night in the fresh air.

A cloudy day is chosen for transplantation. Dig holes to a depth of 10 cm and moisten the soil well. You can put 1 tsp on the bottom. superphosphate and a little onion peel, sprinkle with humus. The pungent smell of onions will prevent pest invasion.

The seedlings are buried in the soil up to the first leaves, sprinkled with soil, and watered.

Attention! To protect the bushes from bright sunlight, a canopy is built, which is removed after a few days.

If you use the seed method of planting in the ground, you must wait until the soil warms up to 12 °C. In temperate climates, the approximate planting date is the first ten days of May, in the southern regions - the end of April. 2-3 seeds are planted in each hole and sprinkled with a layer of sand on top. The area with cabbage is covered with film. After emergence of shoots, the film is replaced with spunbond or lutrasil. The seedlings remain under shelter for up to 35-45 days.

Caring for the crop consists of regular moistening, weeding and loosening the soil, and applying fertilizers.

When growing Koza-Dereza cauliflower, adhere to the following rules:

Watering is very important, especially when the inflorescences are forming. Seedlings are moistened once every 2-3 days, using at least 7 liters per 1 m². For cabbage aged 1 month, the number of waterings is reduced to 1-2 times a week, but the volume of water is increased to 12 liters per 1 m². After sunset, you can additionally use sprinkling.
The first time after planting, fertilizing is carried out after 10 days. Nutrients are then added at intervals of 15 days. For the first feeding, nitrogen is used, then phosphorus-potassium mixtures. Browning and crumbling of the heads indicate a lack of boron and molybdenum. A spray solution consisting of ammonium molybdate and boric acid (1 g per 1 liter of water) will help correct the situation.
Loosen the beds 2 times a week. The roots of cabbage are superficial, so the procedure is carried out carefully, going deeper by 7-8 cm.

Recommendations for crop care

Cauliflower is more capricious than white cabbage, but if you create optimal conditions for its development, nothing particularly complicated will be required from the gardener. The bed is weeded, loosened 2-3 times a week, but very carefully, to a depth of no more than 7-8 cm - the root system of the plants is superficial. The first time the procedure is carried out 6–8 days after planting the seedlings in the ground. It is advisable to do this after each watering, but not all gardeners have this opportunity.

Watering

Watering is critically important for the Goat-Dereza. Cauliflower especially needs water during the formation of inflorescences. Do not let the soil at the roots dry out. But too much watering is also harmful. This provokes the development of root rot.

It is best to water cauliflower by sprinkling, simulating natural precipitation. This way you can wet the soil evenly. If there is no technical possibility, water is poured into the grooves between the rows of plantings, but not under the base of the stem. The roots, when exposed, quickly dry out.

Top dressing

Koza-Dereza is an early ripening variety. 3-4 feedings per season are quite enough for her. The first time the procedure is carried out two weeks after planting the seedlings in the garden, the next time - at intervals of 12-14 days.

At an early stage of development, the crop needs nitrogen, which helps cabbage grow green mass more efficiently. Goat-Dereza is watered with a solution of any nitrogen fertilizer (10–15 g per 10 liters of water) or fresh cow manure, bird droppings, or any weeds growing in the area (nettle and dandelion leaves are most often used).

Urea, like other nitrogen fertilizers, is applied to the soil, strictly observing the recommended dosage

It is very important not to overdo it with nitrogen. In the right dosage, it is beneficial for the plant, but if there is an excess of this macroelement in the soil, the plant’s immunity decreases, cauliflower does not form heads well, and nitrates accumulate in the inflorescences.

Before use, the nettle infusion is filtered and diluted with water in a ratio of 1:8

The second and subsequent feedings are phosphorus and potassium. A natural source of these macronutrients is wood ash. It is applied both in dry form and in the form of infusion. You can also use simple superphosphate and potassium sulfate (25–30 g per 10 liters of water). They are alternated with special complex fertilizers for cabbage (Kristalin, Kemira-Lux, Novofert, Master).

Koza-Dereza, like any cauliflower, needs boron and molybdenum for development. When it is deficient, the heads turn brown and “scatter”. Therefore, at least once a month it is sprayed with a solution of a special preparation. You can prepare it yourself by diluting 1–2 g of ammonium molybdate and boric acid in a liter of water.

Video: tips for caring for cauliflower

Whitening

Snow-white cauliflower looks much more presentable than greenish, brownish or reddish ones. Discoloration is caused by direct sunlight. At the same time, the pulp also acquires a noticeable bitterness. To preserve the inherent shade of inflorescences and taste of the Koza-Dereza variety, as it ripens, the growing head is covered with the lower outer leaves, carefully cutting them off. The same procedure helps to increase the size of the heads of cabbage - more nutrients are now sent to them.

By covering the head of cauliflower with its own leaves, you can preserve the white color and characteristic taste inherent in the Koza-Dereza variety.

Diseases, pests and their control

Unfortunately, cauliflower is attacked by diseases and pests quite often. The Koza-Dereza variety received good immunity from its creators, but it is not completely immune from infection. To minimize the risk, it is very important to properly care for the crop. Healthy plants get sick much less often. Also effective preventive measures are compliance with crop rotation and proper planting patterns (without excessive “crowding”). Before planting, the seeds must be treated with a fungicide solution.

If the problem is noticed in time, most often it can be dealt with by resorting to folk remedies. They, unlike chemicals, are used at any time, and the latter are used only until the heads are formed. Most insects do not like strong odors. Onions, garlic, mint, rosemary, basil, as well as sage, lavender, and marigolds are planted along the perimeter of the cauliflower bed and in the spaces between the rows.

If you have not noticed the onset of the development of the disease, and most of the plant is already infected, you should not feel sorry for it. Such cabbage is pulled out and burned to prevent further spread of the infection. The soil in this place is disinfected by spilling 3% copper sulfate or a dark crimson solution of potassium permanganate.

Of the pests that cause the greatest damage to cauliflower:

Cabbage fly. Lays eggs in the ground. The larvae hatching from them feed on the tissues of the roots and stems, eating out long “tunnels”. The plant slows down in development and dries out. To scare away adult individuals, the perimeter of the bed is surrounded with parsley and celery, the plants are sprayed with foam of laundry soap or vinegar essence diluted with water (15 ml per 10 l). Tanrek, Mospilan, Fufanon are used to combat them.
Cutworm caterpillars. They feed on leaf tissues, leaving only veins in a few days. Adults are lured using store-bought pheromone traps or homemade traps. Deep containers are filled with jam, sugar syrup, and honey diluted with water. At night, you can place a light source nearby. They are repelled by the drugs Entobacterin, Bitoxibacillin, Lepidocid. Caterpillars are destroyed with the help of Actellik, Fufanon, Confidor-Maxi.
Cruciferous flea beetle. Small bugs that can turn leaves into a sieve in a couple of days. They are effectively repelled by the smell of garlic and tomato tops. The soil in the garden bed is dusted with a mixture of wood ash, tobacco chips and red pepper. In case of mass pest invasion, Trichlorometaphos and Fosbecid are used.
Slugs. They feed on plant tissues, eating large holes in leaves and inflorescences. A sticky silvery coating is visible on the surface. Slugs are repelled by surrounding the garden bed with sharp-smelling herbs and spraying with an infusion of mustard powder. A “barrier” is built around the base of the stem from pine needles, sand, ground eggs or nut shells, and hot pepper. Slugs can be collected by hand or using traps. Containers are dug into the ground, filling them halfway with beer, kvass, and pieces of cabbage. Massive pest infestations are an exceptional phenomenon. Only in this case do they use chemicals - Meta, Thunderstorm, Slug Eater.
Cabbage aphid. It feeds on plant sap. Small pale green insects literally stick to the leaves. Multiple beige dots appear, which are clearly visible in the light. They repel aphids with infusions of any herbs with a strong, pronounced odor. You need to spray cabbage every 10–12 days. Dry tobacco leaves, mustard powder, lemon peel, garlic arrows, and potato tops are also used as raw materials. The same infusions help cope with the pest if there are not too many aphids yet. You just have to spray the cauliflower 3-4 times a day. When time is lost, Biotlin, Aktar, Inta-Vir, Iskra-Bio are used.

Photo gallery: what pests dangerous to cauliflower look like

The main damage to cauliflower plantings is caused by cabbage fly larvae, but adults also need to be dealt with

Cutworm caterpillars literally eat cauliflower leaves in just a few days.

The cruciferous flea beetle is one of the most dangerous pests for all varieties of cabbage.

Cauliflower damaged by slugs sharply loses its presentability and keeping quality.

Aphids settle on cabbage leaves in entire colonies

Diseases typical for the culture:

Mucous bacteriosis. Greenish “wetting” spots appear on the heads. Gradually they turn black and spread an unpleasant putrid odor. For prevention, cauliflower is sprayed with Mikosan and Pentafag. If the disease has gone too far, all that remains is to throw it away. When there are still a few of them, the affected tissues are cut out and sprinkled with crushed chalk or powdered activated carbon.
Root rot. The roots turn black and become slimy to the touch. The base of the stem turns brown and softens. The best prevention is proper watering. It is advisable to replace ordinary water at least once every 1.5–2 weeks with a light pink solution of potassium permanganate. Having discovered the first signs of the disease, watering is reduced to the required minimum. Capsules of Glyokladin and Trichodermin are added to the soil.
Kila. The most dangerous disease for any cabbage, there is currently no cure for it. Ugly growths similar to tumors appear on the roots, and the above-ground part of the plant dries out and dies. The best prevention is crop rotation. In a garden bed where cabbage has been damaged by clubroot, it can be returned no earlier than after 5–7 years. It is also useful to water the plants once every 2-3 weeks with a solution of dolomite flour (200 g per 10 liters of water), and dust the soil with sifted wood ash.
Alternaria blight. The leaves become covered with black-brown spots, gradually turning into concentric circles. They quickly dry out and die. Heat and high humidity contribute to the spread of the disease. For prevention, the soil in the garden bed is dusted with crushed chalk or spilled with Planriz or Baktofit.
Fusarium. The leaves change color to yellowish, become covered with dark green spots, and the veins also darken. Then they fall off and the inflorescences become deformed. For prevention, Fitosporin-M or Fitolavin is added to irrigation water. In the early stages of the development of the disease, it can be cured by treating the plants and soil in the garden with Benomyl or Fundazol.
Downy mildew. The leaves are covered with vague yellowish spots. The reverse side is completely covered with a grayish-purple coating. The affected tissues dry out and die, holes form. For prevention, the bed is dusted with crushed chalk, and the plants themselves are dusted with sifted wood ash. To combat the disease, any fungicides are used.

Photo gallery: external manifestations of diseases typical for cauliflower

Cabbage severely affected by mucous bacteriosis can no longer be eaten.

Root rot most often develops when the soil is waterlogged.

There are no treatments for clubroot cabbage yet.

Tissues affected by Alternaria die off, leaving holes on the leaves

A plant affected by fusarium wilts in literally 7–10 days

Peronosporiasis or downy mildew most often develops in dense plantings in conditions of high humidity.

Diseases and pests

Koza-Dereza cauliflower has good immunity to diseases, but it is often attacked by insects.

Important! To avoid contamination of the crop, it is necessary to observe crop rotation, as well as adhere to the planting scheme, since crowding contributes to the development of diseases.

Insects cannot tolerate strong odors, so to protect the cabbage, garlic, mint, lavender, and marigolds are planted around the perimeter of the garden bed.

The following pests pose the greatest threat to Koza-Dereza cauliflower:

Cabbage aphid. Herbal infusions will help get rid of insect infestations; you can use tobacco, mustard, garlic, and potato tops to prepare them. Spray infected plants several times a day. If there are too many pests and folk remedies are powerless, use Aktara, Biotlin or other chemicals.
The cabbage fly lays eggs, from which larvae emerge. They damage roots and stems. Prevention consists of planting parsley and celery around the garden bed. For treatment, you can use soapy water or a solution of vinegar essence (1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water). Fufanon and Tanrek are suitable for store-bought products.
Cruciferous flea beetle damages foliage. You can get rid of insects with infusions of garlic, tobacco, and red pepper. Trichlorometaphos, Lightning, Furadan, Karate Zeon, Aktaru, Kaiser and other chemicals are also used.
Cutworm caterpillars eat leaves. Homemade traps filled with sweet water or diluted jam help eliminate insects. Among the drugs that are effective are Actellik, Lepidocid, Confidor-Maxi.
Slugs may also eat leaves and inflorescences. You can scare them away with a solution of mustard powder. Needles and crushed eggshells are sprinkled around the seedlings, which prevents slugs from moving around the beds. From chemistry they use Thunderstorm, Slug Eater.

The following diseases pose a danger to Koza-Dereza cauliflower:

root rot;
mucous bacteriosis;
clubroot;
Alternaria blight;
peronosporosis;
Fusarium

Attention! The main prevention of diseases is proper watering and proper planting.

When identifying root rot, Trichodermin and Glyocladin are used. Mucous bacteriosis leads to rotting of the inflorescences; to prevent the disease, plantings are treated with Pentafag or Mikosan. If significant damage is detected, the cabbage is removed from the garden bed and burned.

Clubroot is very difficult to get rid of. If damaged specimens are identified on the site, they are removed and the land is used for growing other crops. Cauliflower is planted in this area no earlier than every 7 years.

Alternaria blight occurs in extreme heat and high humidity. For prevention, dusting the beds with crushed chalk is used. You can treat with Baktofit.

Fusarium causes deformation of inflorescences and yellowing of foliage. To prevent the occurrence of this disease, it is necessary to add Fitosporin to the water for irrigation.

To prevent peronosporosis, plants are sprinkled with wood ash and the ground with crushed chalk.

Pests and diseases of cauliflower

Prevention and only prevention.

Apply insecticides only before the head forms. As soon as the plant is planted, carry out the procedure once every 10 days.

The most common pests of cauliflower are: aphids, moths, cabbage flies, and caterpillars.

For supporters of “remedies from the people” they use wormwood and burdock. You can also plant garlic, dill, and basil nearby.

Cauliflower diseases

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Diseases of cauliflower include: black rot, ring spots, and powdery mildew. If the plant is damaged, it is burned. Diseases can occur due to insect damage, as well as due to improper care.

Basic rules for growing outdoors

When is it planted in different regions?

Dereza goat is suitable for moderately cold and warm regions. However, climate alone will not play a significant role if the crop is not given the necessary care. It is necessary to create a microclimate in each bed so that the cabbage does not overheat or become too cold.

This variety can be grown from spring to autumn. If planted in March, the first fruits will appear in early June. You can plant the seeds in June, then you will get a late harvest for the fall.

We have separate articles on growing in different regions:

In the Moscow region and the central zone;
Siberia;
in the Urals.

Landing

Please note that the roots of the Goat Dereza are weak, so with frequent transplants they are damaged and the plant dies. First, you can plant the seedlings in a peat cup. Place 2-3 seeds in each glass so that at least one is sure to sprout. Excess shoots can then be removed.

To maintain moisture, the seedlings are covered with a special transparent film. In open ground, cauliflower loves clay soils.

If you plan to plant Goat Dereza, it is better to dig up the beds after the last harvest a year before. The bed should be sheltered from drafts and be in partial shade. When the time comes for planting, the soil must be fed with regular mineral fertilizer.

Advice

There is no need to dig up the bed in the spring; dense soil is required. The depth of the hole should be such that the roots fit completely to the leaves. The holes should be treated with karbofos to prevent a mole cricket attack. After planting, you need to irrigate the crop.

Article on the topic

About growing cauliflower in a greenhouse.

Care

Despite its frost resistance and immunity, cauliflower is capricious. For it you need to keep the optimal temperature from +10°C to +25°C.

After planting the seedlings, the seedlings need to be fed. It is possible that the plant will begin to stretch, then they should be treated with a special preparation so that the crop does not become thin. Watering and protection from direct sunlight is necessary.

Harvest and storage

The seed packaging indicates the harvest date for the heads of cabbage. You can’t delay picking; the fruit will become loose. Cabbage is cut in the morning, and in case of frost, in the afternoon. If you want to store it longer, it is better to dig up the fruit along with the roots, keeping the leaves. Such fruits should be stored in a cool place.

Growing problems

The Koza Dereza cauliflower variety is immune to common cabbage diseases, but you still need to pay attention to various preventive measures to avoid problems. The culture will grow well if:

the rules of crop rotation are observed;
soil treatment is carried out;
weeds are removed;
fertilizing is applied.

In addition to these nuances, you need to ensure that the cabbage is not attacked by insects. They can completely deprive the harvest, so they must be dealt with. If there are few insects, folk remedies will help: spraying with vinegar solution or garlic infusion. If such remedies do not help, insecticides should be used (Karate, Decis, Ivermek, Aktara).