Flowering Cabbage Osaka

Plug Production – 288 Cell - 28 days
Stage One (days 1-5) Single sow seed into a 288 plug tray filed with a sterile and well drained media. Optimum pH is 5.5-6.2 with a low nutrient charge (E.C. < 0.5 mmhos 1:2 slurry) and a temperature of 70 °F/21 °C. Lightly cover with coarse vermiculite as seed requires light to germinate.
Stage Two (days 6-14) As soon as seedlings emerge move the trays to a cool and bright location with good air movement. Optimum temperature is 55-60 °F/13-15 °C. In summer under high temperature conditions placing trays outdoors under shade cloth works well. Fertilize with 50 ppm N using a well balanced calcium m nitrate-based fertilizer to strengthen the seedlings.
Stage Three (days 15-22) Maintain optimum temperatures, if possible, and fertilize with 100 ppm N as needed to maintain an E.C. between 0.7-1.0 mmhos (1:2 slurry). To reduce stem elongation apply B-Nine at 1,500-3,000 ppm when first true leaves are formed. Bonzi at 2-4 ppm is also effective; especially under high temperatures. Do not apply growth regulator if the crop is for food consumption.
Stage Four (days 23-28) The seedlings are approaching transplant stage and should have 2 pairs of true leaves. Do not delay transplanting to avoid stretching.

Transplanting
Media: Flowering Cabbage does best in a soil-based mix (20-30% field soil), but soil less media can also be use with proper management. Optimum pH is 5.5-6.2 with a low nutrient charge.
Container: Flowering Cabbage Osaka is targeted for production in 6-8 inch/15-20 cm. pots.
Spacing: To maximize plant size, and reduce stretching, allow sufficient space between the plants.
Fertilizer: Fertilize with 150-200 ppm N using a well balanced calcium nitrate-based fertilizer. Optimum E.C. is 1.0-1.5 mmhos, (1:2 slurry). After coloring begins reduce fertilizer to 50 ppm N as excess fertilizer delays leaf coloring and too little fertilizer causes lower leaf yellowing.
Light: Flowering Cabbage grows well outdoors under full sun up to 10,000 foot candles/107,000 lux.
Growth regulator: Under warm temperatures growth regulation is necessary to keep the plants compact. In cooler weather applying B-Nine at 2,500-5,000 ppm works well. In warmer weather weekly sprays of Bonzi at 4-6 ppm provides good height control.
Coloring: The plants need to be of sufficient size before color initiation. Intense coloring begins when the night temperature drops to 50-55 °F/10-13 °C for 2-3 weeks and is most intense between 35-45 °F/2-7 °C.
Timing: For 6 inch / 15 cm. pots plan on 9-10 weeks from sowing to the start of color. For 8 inch / 20 cm. and one gallon pots, plan on 11-13 weeks from sowing to the start of color.