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# Red Chinese Cabbage Cultivation Guide

## Overview
Johnny's Selected Seeds offers guidance on cultivating Red Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis), a recently introduced variety in North America. This guide emphasizes specific cultural requirements for successful cultivation.

## Site Selection and Crop Care
- Sunlight: Plant in full sun.
- Soil: Prefer fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0–7.5.
- Irrigation: Maintain steady growth with regular watering (approx. 1 inch per week).

## Transplanting
- Timing: Red Chinese cabbage thrives in late summer's decreasing day length and temperatures.
- Sowing: Sow 2 seeds per cell in 72-cell plug flats at ¼" depth. Germinate at 75–85°F/24–30°C, then reduce to 60–70°F/16–21°C.
- Transplant: When seedlings are 3–5 weeks old, transplant to the field, spacing plants 12–18" apart in rows 18–30" apart.

## Transplanting Dates by Season
- Spring Sowing (Summer Crop): Start seeds 3–5 weeks before the last frost, ensuring no frost or nighttime temps below 50°F/10°C post-transplant.
- Summer Sowing (Fall Crop): Time transplanting for cool fall days; temperatures exceeding 80°F/27°C in the first 6 weeks are acceptable.

## Tipburn Management
- Problem: Red Chinese cabbages are highly susceptible to internal tipburn, characterized by browning and decay of inner leaves.
- Solution: Apply foliar calcium 3 times during the growing period at a rate of 200 ppm (using Nutri-Cal Concentrate or similar products). Critical to apply before head formation.

## Disease Control
- Black Rot: A common disease, seedborne; ensure long crop rotations and use disease-free seeds tested for black rot. Copper fungicides may offer control.
- Preventative Measures: Follow strict sanitation practices, use clean starting mixes, and rotate crops with non-cruciferous species.

## Pest Control
- Floating Row Covers: Effective on young plants; prevent pest access.
- Flea Beetles: Treat with azadirachtin or pyrethrin if heavy pressure is observed.
- Cabbage Worms: Control with Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.).
- Cutworms: Cultivate the soil 2–4 weeks before transplanting to prevent access.

## Harvest and Storage
- Timing: Heads ready for harvest 9–10 weeks post-transplant; cut when firm.
- Storage: Store heads in near-freezing, humid conditions (e.g., a cooler or root cellar) for 1–2 months, trimmed and wrapped in newspaper.