The vegetable heart, also known as the vegetable moss or *Brassica oleracea* var. *costata*, is often referred to as "the crown of vegetables" due to its unique flavor and nutritional value. It is a versatile crop with rich varieties and strong adaptability, allowing it to be cultivated throughout the year in suitable conditions.
First, selecting the right variety is essential. Early-maturing types include 4919, 4920, and the whole-year vegetable heart, which are ideal for quick harvests. Medium-maturing varieties such as 60-day special green, Baoqing 60-day, and Lvfu 70-day offer a balanced growth period. Late-maturing options like late-heart 2, 80 Tiancao heart, and March heart are best suited for longer growing seasons and colder climates.
Second, preparing the soil properly is crucial. The land should be plowed and sun-dried to improve drainage and reduce pathogens. A base fertilizer is applied at a rate of 1000–1500 kg of organic manure per mu, along with 5–10 kg of potassium chloride or 750 kg of chicken manure mixed with 20 kg of compound fertilizer. The beds are typically 1.6–1.7 meters wide and 20–30 cm high, shaped like a turtle shell to ensure good water management.
Third, timely sowing is important. Early-maturing varieties are best planted between April and August, while medium-maturing types thrive from September to October. Late-maturing varieties are usually sown from November to March of the following year. Early and mid-season types are mainly broadcasted, whereas late ones are transplanted. Sowing too early or too late can lead to problems such as premature bolting, small heads, or poor yields. In winter or spring, avoid sowing during heavy rain or typhoon conditions. About 0.5 kg of seeds are needed per acre.
Fourth, field management plays a key role in ensuring healthy growth. Seedlings should be thinned out when they have 1–2 leaves for direct-seeded crops, and transplanted seedlings should be handled carefully when they have nine leaves. Plant spacing varies: 10–13 cm for early types, 17–20 cm for medium, and 20–23 cm for late varieties.
Fertilization must be done reasonably. Apply thin doses of nitrogen early on, using diluted manure or urea (3–4 kg per acre) when true leaves appear. After that, apply 5–10 kg of urea and 10–20 kg of compound fertilizer every 5–7 days. At the budding stage, apply 15–25 kg of compound fertilizer per mu. After harvesting the main head, continue to topdress to encourage side shoot development.
Water management is equally important. Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the growth cycle. Water in the morning or evening during hot summer days, and drain excess water during rainy periods to prevent waterlogging. Before winter, irrigate to protect against frost, but avoid flooding—use drip or furrow irrigation instead.
Fifth, harvesting should be done at the right time. The "Qikou Period" is the standard for determining readiness. Most early-maturing varieties are harvested only once, while others allow for multiple harvests of side shoots. When cutting the main head, leave 2–3 leaves at the base. This helps the axillary buds develop into side shoots. However, leaving too many leaves can result in weak, low-quality side shoots. Harvest timing depends on temperature—delay slightly if it's cold, but harvest promptly if it's warm.
Lastly, pest and disease control is vital. Diseases like downy mildew can be managed with 600 times dilution of inoculation cream, thiazolycin, and manganese Zn. Soft rot and black rot require treatments such as 20% Longkei or 72% agricultural streptomycin. Viral diseases must be controlled by preventing aphid infestations, and leaf surface sprays like virus A and phytosanitary spirit can help. Anthrax can be treated with chlorothalonil or thiophanate-methyl, while black spot and white spot diseases respond well to polysulfide suspension.
For pests like aphids, 10% imidacloprid at 1500 times dilution works well. For cabbage worms and diamondback moths, use Bacillus thuringiensis at 500 times dilution. Yellow striped flea beetles can be controlled with 48% chlorpyrifos at 800 times or 600 times for other formulations.
By following these steps, farmers can successfully grow high-quality vegetable hearts, ensuring both yield and quality.
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