Broccoli or asparagus is a unique product with high nutritional value. But agrarians complain that it often goes into color and becomes unusable. That is why it is necessary to familiarize yourself in detail with the peculiarities of growing a plant, the main reasons for leaving the vegetable in color, as well as with the rules of selection, which will help to avoid such troubles in the future.

Why broccoli goes in color

Inflorescences of broccoli, which are used for cooking, can bloom ahead of time.

Consider the main reasons why broccoli went into color without gaining its mass:

• insufficient amount of nutrients, macro- and microelements, as well as their excess;
• change in temperature: at temperatures above + 25 ° C, the head goes into color;
• interruptions in irrigation mode: due to lack of watering, the vegetable will cease to set and go into color;
• untimely harvesting: non-observance of the growing season leads to flowering of the vegetable.

Signs of flowering

During the cultivation of cabbage, it is necessary to constantly monitor the appearance of the head of cabbage, according to which you can determine the time of harvest. In a matured state, a head of cabbage is of a dense form with green buds.

As soon as the heads of cabbage have changed their color, the plant immediately needs to be plucked. It is impossible to prevent loosening of the heads of cabbage, since subsequently they will begin to bloom. It is recommended to collect cabbage before the disclosure of inflorescences, when it contains a large amount of minerals and vitamins.

To avoid broccoli flowering, special attention should be paid to the weight of the head of cabbage. You should not wait for the large size of the fruit, and you need to cut the plant when it is slightly smaller in weight than the recommended weight on the package. Then the vegetable does not have time to outgrow and certainly does not bloom. On the plot you need to plant varieties that are resistant to flowering, for example, Maraton F1, Calabrese.

Important! If the vegetable begins to turn yellow in your household plot, then this is a signal that your plant lacks nitrogen nutrition.

Before the onset of flowering, small yellowish spots first appear on the head of the cabbage. If your plant blooms in yellow, then this is the first sign that the cabbage is overripe, and it is too late to cut it. Overripe crops are used by farmers only for technical purposes, for example, as feed for livestock.

What to do if it bloomed

Let's take a closer look at what to do with cabbage that has bloomed, and find out if it can be eaten.

Do I have to deal with color

Broccoli, in any case, leaves color - this is its natural property. If the plant has already bloomed, do not cut it. In many varieties, after cutting off the central head, new young large shoots are formed. But if it is clear that there will no longer be any result, it is better to remove the vegetable from the garden and make room for other crops.

Proper cabbage care

Broccoli is very demanding on top dressing with organic and inorganic fertilizers. Particular attention should be paid to potash and phosphorus top dressing, as they directly affect the growth of the cabbage. It is also influenced by minerals such as molybdenum, magnesium, boron.

The first dressing must be carried out after the seedlings take root. This is done with a solution of chicken droppings (1:20) or infusion of mullein (1:10). After 14 days, this procedure should be repeated. The third feeding is recommended after the formation of the first young inflorescences.

To do this, mix the following ingredients in 10 liters of pure water:

• superphosphate - 40 g;
• ammonium nitrate - 20 g;
• potassium sulfate - 10 g.

When growing this vegetable, special attention should be paid to the watering regimen. The soil under the plant must be constantly moist. If the soil is overdried during tying the head, the cabbage will certainly go into color.

Important! The main secret of growing is that heads of cabbage are formed only at a temperature of +16 ... + 18 ° С. To do this, it is advisable to sow late varieties in such a way that tying the head of cabbage falls on a period with a low temperature regime.

In hot summers, cabbage should be irrigated under the root, to a depth of 12-15 cm, 2 times a day. To increase the yield in dry weather, plants are sprayed on a leaf.

Can broccoli be used in food if it blooms

At the flowering stage, it is recommended to use it for cooking, since all the nutritional and vitamin complexes in it are preserved, only the marketability of the plant deteriorates and the taste is slightly impaired. In blooming cabbage, no poisons and substances harmful to humans accumulate.

During flowering, cabbage leaves will be bitter, the stems will become fibrous and stiff. During this period, the vegetable directs all its forces to the formation of seeds. In some countries of the world, blooming broccoli is used for cooking first courses.

Benefit

Broccoli is an extremely healthy vegetable. The calorie content of 100 g of fresh asparagus cabbage is 28 kcal, in boiled - 34 kcal, in fried - 46 kcal. A vegetable is considered to be a low-calorie product, therefore, it is recommended that nutritionists use it to normalize body weight.

The energy value of vegetables per 100 g is:

• proteins - 2.8 g (3.41%);
• fats - 0.4 g (0.62%);
• carbohydrates - 6.6 g (5.16%);
• dietary fiber - 2.6 g (13.0%);
• water - 89.3 g (3.49%).

• The beneficial qualities of broccoli depend on its chemical composition and are as follows:
• normalizes the work of the kidneys, liver and gall bladder;
• helps to eliminate toxins, carcinogens and heavy metals from the body;
• protects the body from the formation of malignant (cancerous) tumors;
• reduces the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke by strengthening blood vessels;
• normalizes intestinal motility, relieves chronic obstruction;
• restores the nervous system;
• due to the content of vitamin B9, it has a positive effect on the body of pregnant women;
• normalizes metabolism, and also helps to reduce excess weight;
• regular use prevents the development of atherosclerosis and the onset of premature aging.

Broccoli is also called petiole cabbage, since the side leaves (petioles) are suitable for consumption.

Harm

Despite all the benefits, broccoli can bring harm to the human body.

• Do not eat cabbage in raw or fried form for people who:
• suffer from increased acidity of the stomach;
• have stomach ulcers, as well as acute gastritis and pancreatitis;
• have an individual intolerance to the product.

Storage Features

There are several ways to keep a vegetable as long as possible. First you need to carefully consider the nuances of harvesting technology. Cut the head of cabbage for storage, preferably with a petiole 8-10 cm long, and not under the inflorescence itself.

Did you know? According to statistics, 79% of US residents eat broccoli. Every year, Americans eat 76 thousand tons of this vegetable.

It is also necessary to remember that early ripe varieties are not suitable for long-term storage, unlike late ripe varieties.

The shelf life of broccoli is affected by temperature, humidity and the quality of the cabbage itself. Before laying for storage, cabbage should not be washed under running water, as this will significantly reduce its shelf life.

Short term

Fresh cut heads of cabbage are stored for a short time. To do this, place them in the refrigerator in a plastic bag with small openings for ventilation or in a special container. In the refrigerator, the cut heads of broccoli are stored for no more than 3 weeks at a temperature of +4 ... + 7 ° С. The optimum humidity is 95%.

Freshly cut broccoli can be stored at room temperature, but no more than 2-3 hours, otherwise a healthy vegetable may wither and deteriorate.

Long lasting in the refrigerator

For longer storage, the vegetable is frozen, in this form it can be stored in the freezer for 6 to 10 months.

Did you know? The largest broccoli in the world managed to grow an American John Evans. The weight of the vegetable was 15.8 kg.

Shock freezing, which implies freezing for a very short period of time, preserves all the useful properties of the vegetable and helps to maintain its presentation. This method will allow broccoli to lie down for as long as possible.

The method of preparation of broccoli, which bloomed

This vegetable can be consumed both raw and after heat treatment. Broccoli can be cooked and baked in the oven. It is added to omelets, pizzas, mashed soups, salads, pies, etc. But it should be remembered that frying vegetables is not recommended, since harmful carcinogens are released under the influence of high temperature. The ideal cooking option is steamed.

Each summer resident wants to get a good broccoli crop. Having studied the basic rules of breeding, as well as growing conditions, you can achieve the desired result.