Secrets of successfully growing a productive hybrid of Megaton cabbage
Content
The origin of Megaton cabbage
Not everyone knows about Megaton, or Megaton F1 (as hybrid forms are often denoted). That is why the white-headed beauty still continues to gain popularity, despite the fact that it appeared in Russia back in the 90s of the last century. In 1996, the vegetable was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements. Among summer residents, other variety names are also popular: Kilaton, Kiloton, Megafon.
The authorship of the variety belongs to the Dutch specialists from the company "Bejo Zaden". The company is one of the leaders in the global selection and enjoys a well-deserved reputation among consumers. The authors position the hybrid as a product for pickling, but the variety can be safely attributed to universal: the head of cabbage becomes dense and juicy long before technical ripeness. These qualities make it possible to use cabbage for making salads, fillings, hot dishes.
However, it should be noted that there are regions in which it is not recommended to grow Megaton outdoors. These are Mordovia, Tatarstan, Penza, Samara and Ulyanovsk regions.
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In this video, an expert shares the secrets of growing cabbage.
Description and characteristics of the hybrid
The heads of cabbage of Megaton are of a classic, almost regular rounded shape with a slight flattening, which is almost invisible. The structure of the head of cabbage is dense, the leaves are very close to each other.
The leaves are large, round, with wavy edges and a noticeable concavity. The color of the leaves of different shades of green: darker - outside, light green - towards the middle, pale green, almost white - inside. Covering leaves are rich green, with a wrinkled structure, covered with a light waxy coating.
The heads of cabbage are very juicy, with a small stump. The average weight of one head of cabbage is about 3.5 kg, however, under optimal growing conditions, this figure can be several times higher - up to 15 kg.
Megaton belongs to mid-season varieties. Possesses a high degree of cold and drought resistance. Also, the variety has good immunity to diseases. Heads of cabbage can be stored for up to 3 months. Despite its juiciness, cabbage can be transported over long distances.
The commercial and taste characteristics of the hybrid are rated only by high marks. It contains many useful substances: per 100 g of product - up to 6 g of proteins, 5 g of sugars, about 44 mg of vitamin C and 9 g of dry matter.
Fruiting and productivity
Seeds of Megaton sprout almost 100% of the time. At the same time, the seedlings are small, but strong. The ripening period declared by the manufacturer is from 140 to 170 days. In conditions of industrial cultivation, yield indicators are from 700 to 900 c / ha.The record figure exceeded 1050 c / ha and was recorded in the Moscow region.
In household conditions, with an average weight of heads of cabbage up to 3.5 kg, the yield indicator is 9 kg / m².
The main factors that affect the yield indicator are a sufficient amount of sunlight (Megaton is a photophilous variety) and proper watering.
Harvest time and scope
Harvested in early or late September. However, there is no clear harvesting period: heads of cabbage grown from seedlings can ripen from mid-August to mid-September, and specimens grown from seeds can only ripen by mid-October.
Megaton is not called a salting product. The high sugar content guarantees an excellent juicy result. You can also use the hybrid for salads, after crushing the leaves a little with a little salt. But if you are planning cabbage rolls, then be sure to salt the dish well, otherwise it will be sweetish.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Experienced gardeners believe that even the best variety has its own minor drawbacks. Megaton is no exception.
- high yield;
- excellent taste and market characteristics;
- small stump and no tendency to cracking;
- resistance to cold and frost;
- excellent immunity to viral and fungal diseases.
- relatively short shelf life;
- vulnerability to pest attacks;
- lack of the possibility of self-collection of seed (hybrid form).
Features of growing cabbage
Megaton can be grown in two ways: from seeds and seedlings. The first method is suitable for southern regions, the second for temperate or northern regions.
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- Seeds of Megaton sprout almost 100% of the time.
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- Megaton belongs to mid-season varieties
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- Average weight of one head of cabbage is about 3.5 kg
Selection and sowing of seeds
When choosing planting material, we advise you to contact only specialized stores that work with distributors of the Dutch manufacturer.
Before planting, the seeds must be properly processed to speed up the germination process: place them in hot water (+50 ° C) for 20 minutes, then dip them in contrasting cold water, treat them with Epin and dry them. Seeds can be planted in cassettes to get seedlings, or directly into open ground.
In open ground, seeds are sown in early or mid-May, to a depth of 3 cm. Then the garden bed is mulched with humus and watered daily until shoots appear. Then watering is reduced to 1 time in several days.
Thin the cabbage, if necessary, twice - when 3 and 6 leaves appear. As a result, there should not be more than 6 bushes per 1 m².
Picking and feeding seedlings
Seedlings are grown in special boxes or cassettes that are placed in a greenhouse or warm room. Any fertile soil can be used for planting. The standard planting scheme is 5 × 6 cm.When the first pair of leaves appears, the seedlings are fed with seedlings. When there are 3 or more leaves, the seedlings can be dived. In the process of picking, it is recommended to pin the roots by ⅓ of the length.
Planting seedlings in the ground
When the seedlings are about 2 months old, they can be planted in open ground. The best place for planting is a sunny, draft-free area. As a soil, loam with neutral or low acidity is the best option.
The planting scheme is 50 × 60 or 60 × 40 cm. After planting, the soil is watered and mulched.
Outdoor cabbage care
An important requirement for watering is its sufficiency, but not excessive watering.
During the growing season, watering should be done every few days, at the rate of 7 l / m².It is advisable to loosen the soil with each watering to a depth of 4 cm. Small mulched bushes do not need to be loosened, but large ones (6–7 leaves) need to be piled up and all mulch removed from under them.
The hybrid is fed three times: 3 weeks after planting potash fertilizers are applied, a week after hilling - nitrogen-containing fertilizers, 2-3 weeks after the second feeding - superphosphate.
Protection against diseases and pests
Megaton has excellent immunity to viral and fungal diseases. Therefore, even preventive treatment is usually not required. But pests love to feast on delicious cabbage. Insecticidal preparations will help protect the vegetable from moths, aphids, whiteflies and bears: "Decis", "Actellik", "Medvetoks".
Reviews of gardeners about Megaton cabbage
“For me, as a hostess, taste is very important. About Megaton, we can safely say that it is ideal for salting. The cabbage is very juicy, crispy and has an excellent sweet and sour taste. "
“I bought seeds for the occasion, at the exhibition, and never regretted it. Almost all seeds have sprung up, the seedlings have survived all the weather troubles, and as a result I have collected a generous harvest of excellent cabbage. The only thing is that it is imperative to prophylactically treat the plant from pests. "
Megaton is one of the varieties that pleases not only with the absence of major agrotechnical problems in the growing process, but also with the result. Dreaming of delicious cabbage soup? Hurry up for the seeds today.