How to Grow Broccoli (The Right One)

Broccoli is one of the most popular plants. Because many foods in Indonesia use broccoli as one of the basic ingredients, from soups to salads. In addition, broccoli is very easy to find in the market, be it in traditional markets or in modern supermarkets. However, sometimes we have difficulty finding broccoli that is still fresh and of good quality, and free of disease.

Especially for those of you who are too busy so they only have time to go to the supermarket when the broccoli stock is sold out. But don't worry, because you can grow broccoli yourself at home. Even how to grow broccoli is quite easy.

Here's how to grow broccoli at home!

Prepare Broccoli Planting

Before you start growing broccoli of course there are some important preparations that you should know. The goal is that when planting broccoli you find difficulties you can solve them yourself first. After really stuck, then you can ask someone who is more expert. Here are some preparations or important things that you must learn before you can start growing broccoli.

Types of broccoli

Understanding the type of broccoli you want to grow is an important thing that should not be overlooked. Because each type of broccoli has different planting requirements, it must be included in your calculations. Especially if you decide to resell the broccoli. Previously, we will try to discuss several types of broccoli and cauliflower. Scientifically, the two have different variances, but from the genus, it turns out that they are both similar, you know.

1. Giga Cauliflower – is one of the white cauliflower and its size is quite large. One of the advantages of this type is that it can be harvested within 55 days after planting (DAT), and has resistance to extreme weather. Unfortunately, this type of cauliflower is known not to have more resistance to certain diseases.
2. Mona Cauliflower – is one of the cauliflower that you can grow in the lowlands to the highlands. Mona cauliflower is a bit small compared to Giga cauliflower but can be harvested within 50 days after planting (DAT). This type of cauliflower is also known not to have more resistance to certain diseases.
3. Cauliflower Aquina – is one type of cauliflower that you can also grow in the middle to highlands. It can be said that this species has a fairly large size, and is resistant to black rot caused by Xanthomonas. In addition, this type of cauliflower can be harvested at the age of 58 to 60 days after planting (DAT).
4. Cauliflower PM 126 – the name is quite unique, yes, because this cauliflower is one of the superior hybrid types that is claimed to be able to reach a weight of 1.5 kg at harvest. In addition, this cauliflower also has many other advantages, including being able to be harvested within 45 to 50 days after planting (DAT), as well as being resistant to black rot, downey mildew, and soft rot. Suitable for those of you who want to grow broccoli/cauliflower for resale.
5. Italian Green Broccoli – is one of the most common types of broccoli found in traditional markets and supermarkets. This type of broccoli has very many varieties around the world, including in Indonesia. In our opinion, this type of broccoli is one of the easiest to resell because most people already know it. The harvest period of this dark green broccoli is between 55 to 100 days after planting (DAT) depending on the variety planted.
6. Broccoli Green King – is one of the superior varieties that are widely grown by farmers. The main advantage of this type of broccoli is the harvest period of about 10 weeks after planting, the size can reach 500 – 1 kg and resistant to various diseases.
7. Broccoli Express Corona – is a type of green broccoli that is also very popular with farmers. Although it does not have special resistance to various diseases, one of its characteristics that is quite favorable is the harvest period which is only 45 days after planting (DAT). This means that crop rotation in the fields can be accelerated, and of course, it can increase productivity as well.
8. Pinnacle Broccoli – This broccoli is classified as one of the types favored by farmers and consumers. The reason is because of its large size, attractive colors, and quite soft texture. In addition, this type of broccoli is known to be resistant to powdery mildew and has a harvest period of 68 days after planting.
9. Skiffi Broccoli – is one of the superior broccoli that has a fairly long harvest period, which is about 105 days after planting (DAT). However, you can still plant this one type considering its very high productivity compared to other types of broccoli.
10. Apart from the nine types of broccoli and cauliflower above, actually, there are still many types of broccoli that you can grow. Moreover, in Indonesia, the average type of broccoli can be grown easily.

The important thing you need to remember is the planting requirements of each type of broccoli and the different harvest times. Later it will greatly affect, especially your calculations if the harvest is to be resold.

Growing conditions

In general, in farming you have to pay attention to the growing conditions of the type of plant you want to plant. The goal is that plants can grow optimally and yields can be abundant as expected.

As for some of the growing conditions that you must meet if you want to grow broccoli are as follows:

Climate – climate or daily weather conditions are important factors in growing broccoli. By maximizing planting based on the climate in the area where you live, the growth of broccoli can certainly be maximized.

• Broccoli plants themselves are not sensitive to the wind because the height of this plant is quite low, but broccoli requires a fairly high rainfall of 1000 to 1500 mm / year.
• The air temperature favored by this plant is also quite low, namely 13 to 24oC, with high humidity of 80-90%.
• The light intensity requested is weak light intensity during seedling and strong light intensity during growth. In order not to be exposed to direct sunlight, you can use a paranet when sowing broccoli.
• In addition, most broccoli plants like lowlands to highs in the range of 1000 to 2000 meters above sea level (masl). However, there are indeed several species that can be planted in the lowlands of less than 1000 meters above sea level.

Growing media – apart from the climate that you cannot control, growing media is another important factor that you can control. Controlling broccoli growing media is certainly intended so that broccoli can grow optimally.

• The soil favored by broccoli plants is soil that tends to be loose and not easily muddy. Some types of soil that are recommended for planting broccoli include alluvial, andosol, latosol, and regosol types.
• The soil acidity level favored by broccoli plants is around 5.5 to 6.5. Less than that, it is known that the soil tends to lack several minerals such as magnesium, boron, and molybelium.
• Broccoli also likes soil or beds with a very good watering. The optimal slope of the soil is around 0-20%. If you have land with a slope of more than 20% then you have to make a terrace.

Those were some of the preparations that you should learn before deciding to grow broccoli independently. When you understand it, it's time for you to read about how to seed broccoli itself.