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Gardeners like Fiesta broccoli for its undemanding growing conditions and frost resistance. A mid-early variety from the collection of the Dutch company Bejo Zaden is propagated by seedlings or by direct sowing of seeds into the soil.
Fiesta broccoli hybrid is very similar to cauliflower, differing slightly in shape, size and color of the head.
Description of Broccoli Fiesta F1
The plant creates a rosette of leaves tending upwards. Blue-green leaf blades are long, 25-35 cm, wavy, slightly dissected, with intricately curving edges, corrugated, as it were, bubbly surface. A waxy bluish coating is visible on top of the leaf blades. The height of the Fiesta hybrid reaches 90 cm along the length of the leaves. The stalk is medium in size, characteristic of other representatives of different varieties of cabbage. The root system consists of a powerful central rod and numerous small processes that supply the plant with food and are located close to the surface.
The Fiesta cabbage head begins to form after 16-20 leaves have grown. A slightly flattened rounded top is formed from dense, juicy stem shoots collected in bunches, very small, growing from a stalk, numbering from 500 to 2000 thousand. The head of broccoli Fiesta F1 is up to 12-15 cm in diameter, strong, like a cauliflower. The bumpy surface is rich green in color with a slightly bluish-turquoise tint. Head weight up to 0,4-0,8 kg. When all the rules of agricultural technology on fertile soil are met, the mass of the Fiesta F1 head of cabbage reaches 1,5 kg.
Lateral leaves partially cover the head. This factor slightly increases the resistance of the hybrid to drought, since broccoli does not tolerate strong heat, becoming lethargic and quickly forming flower stalks without sufficient watering and shading. The Fiesta hybrid differs from other varieties in that it does not form side shoots. Sometimes they are shown with sufficient watering and good care after cutting the head. The optimum temperature for growing broccoli is 18-24°C. Long rainfall, typical for some regions of the middle zone of the country, contribute to the cultivation of this variety. Even young broccoli seedlings can withstand temperatures as low as 10°C.
Advantages and disadvantages
Broccoli Fiesta is considered a valuable variety of cabbage according to its characteristics:
- high taste and dietary properties;
- good business performance;
- universality;
- productivity, keeping quality and transportability;
- unpretentiousness;
- frost resistance;
- Fusarium resistance.
Gardeners also call disadvantages:
- side shoots do not grow;
- short time to collect heads.
Fiesta cabbage yield
Broccoli hybrid Fiesta medium-yielding – from 1 square. m collect from 2,5 to 3,5 kg. With good care, timely watering and top dressing, the yield rises to 4,4 kg. Cabbage is grown in personal subsidiary plots and farm enterprises.
On fertile soils, when forming large heads, the stalk is spud for stability
Planting and caring for Fiesta broccoli
Broccoli is grown through seedlings or direct sowing in a permanent place. Before planting in individual pots, seeds:
- disinfect;
- processed in a growth stimulator according to the instructions for the drug;
- germinate on wet wipes for 2-3 days;
- then carefully spread with tweezers into the substrate in separate containers or into peat tablets.
For the substrate, mix garden soil, compost or humus, sand, a little wood ash, as a universal fertilizer for cabbage. Loose light soil will allow water to pass onto the pallet, which is especially important when growing cabbage seedlings, which are often subject to black leg disease due to waterlogging of the soil.
Fiesta broccoli seeds are planted in containers or in a permanent place from the beginning of April in different regions. After 26-30 days, seedlings 15-23 cm high with 5-8 leaves are moved to the site, usually at the end of April or May, until June. If sown in open ground in early spring, seedlings are covered due to the activity of the cabbage flea.
Cabbage is grown in a spacious sunny area with slightly dense soil. Suitable soils are slightly acidic, neutral or alkaline:
- Supeski;
- loam;
- clayey;
- black soil.
The holes are broken at a distance of 50 cm. For sowing directly into the ground, 3-4 grains are used in one hole to a depth of 1-1,5 cm. Then the weak shoots are removed or planted. 2 tablespoons of wood ash and a handful of humus are added to the hole. The stem is deepened only to the first leaves.
For a continuous crop production line, broccoli is sown every 10 days. When sown in late May or June, cabbage seedlings remain undamaged by the cruciferous flea, which flies out in early spring. Broccoli can bear fruit until the first frost in late September or October, just in time for this period.
Broccoli Fiesta F1 is responsive to abundant watering and top dressing. Moisture-loving culture requires constantly moist soil. Cabbage is watered 2-3 times a week depending on the frequency of rainfall, although the hybrid grows in short-term drought conditions and tolerates extreme heat. Sprinkling is carried out in the evening. To keep moisture in the soil, the area with broccoli is mulched, while at the same time blocking the growth of weeds.
The most effective feeding of broccoli Fiesta during periods:
- 3 weeks after disembarkation, using organic matter, green infusion;
- at the time of head formation, using 20 g of ammonium nitrate or 40 g of potassium nitrate per 10 liters of water, dry wood ash;
- during the filling of the head, 12-15 days before the start of fruiting, they are fed with a solution of 50 g of superphosphate in a bucket of water.
After top dressing, the area is watered abundantly.
Broccoli is practically not grown in a greenhouse, because it bears fruit well in open ground.
Diseases and pests
Cabbage is affected by fungal diseases, except for Fusarium, which prevent and treat:
- prevention, starting with seed treatment;
- using Fitosporin, Baktofit or fungicides.
At the stage of seedlings in the open field, insecticides are used against fleas. Annoy broccoli cabbage fly, leaf-eating caterpillars of various insects, against which only insecticides are effective. From aphids use frequent sprinkling.
Application
Broccoli is stored in refrigeration units for 2 months, in a room for a week. The frozen product is also useful. Fresh salads, soups, mashed potatoes, stews are prepared from vegetables rich in protein and vitamins, but with a low fiber content, they are simply fried in oil.
Conclusion
Fiesta broccoli is unpretentious and adapts to different growing conditions – high humidity, cool weather or short-term drought. The heads are harvested in a week, otherwise the density is lost, and flower stalks begin to bloom, which worsens the taste.
Fiesta Broccoli Reviews
