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Broccoli Red Fire F1 - Brassica oleracea italica

Brassica oleracea var. italica Red Fire F1
Broccoli

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More information

A productive and hardy variety that produces beautiful purple bouquets. This broccoli cabbage is perfect for winter crops and is resistant to cold temperatures down to -20 ° (- 4°F). Sow in mid-June for planting a month later and harvesting from March the following year.
Ease of cultivation
Beginner
Height at maturity
90 cm
Spread at maturity
60 cm
Soil moisture
Damp soil
Germination time (days)
14 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing
Sowing period June
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Harvest time March to June
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

The 'Red Fire F1' Broccoli Cabbage is a productive and hardy variety that produces beautiful purple bouquets. This broccoli cabbage is perfect for winter cultivation and is resistant to cold temperatures down to -20 °C (- 4°F). Sow in mid-June for planting a month later and harvesting from March the following year.

Offering lovely firm bouquets, primarily green but sometimes purplish or white, the Broccoli Cabbage, commonly known as Broccoli, is consumed just before its flowers bloom. It belongs to the large family of Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae) and has the Latin name Brassica oleracea italica.

Although introduced to France by Catherine de Medici under the name "Italian Asparagus," Broccoli has only been cultivated on a large scale since the 1980s.

Originally from southern Italy, this cabbage, with its mild flavour, is now highly appreciated as it lends itself to many preparations. It is typically consumed quickly, steamed, and then prepared in various ways: sautéed, gratin, quiche, puree, soup, etc. It is a low-calorie vegetable and rich in vitamin C.

Like almost all cabbages (Brussels sprouts being the exception), Broccoli Cabbage is a demanding vegetable, requiring excellent organic fertiliser and regular moisture.

NB: This variety is labelled F1 for "F1 hybrid" because it results from the cross-breeding of carefully selected parents to combine their qualities. This results in a variety that can be exceptionally flavourful and early-maturing while also being resistant to certain diseases. Sometimes criticised or wrongly associated with GMOs, F1 hybrid seeds are attractive for their uniformity and resistance. Still, unfortunately, their qualities do not pass on to subsequent generations: it will, therefore, not be possible to save the seeds for future sowing.

Harvest: Broccoli is harvested by cutting, with a knife, in two stages: first, the terminal bouquet, then the lateral bouquets.

Storage: Broccoli Cabbage does not keep well. It is best consumed quickly after harvest. It can be kept in the refrigerator for a few days. You can also freeze it after blanching for 3 minutes in salted boiling water.


Gardener's tip: In recent years, the Cabbage Midge (Contarinia nasturtii), a petite-winged piercing and sucking fly, has been causing havoc on Broccoli Cabbages in certain regions such as Brittany. We recommend prevention by installing an insect-proof cover on vegetable hoops throughout the flight period, from mid-May to mid-July. These covers are easy to set up and reusable to protect, for example, your carrot and leek crops.

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Cabbage: planting, sowing and harvest
Family sheet
by Virginie T. 15 min.
Cabbage: planting, sowing and harvest
Read article

Harvest

Harvest time March to June
Type of vegetable Flower vegetable
Size of vegetable Medium
Interest Flavour, Colour, Very productive

Plant habit

Height at maturity 90 cm
Spread at maturity 60 cm
Growth rate normal

Foliage

Foliage persistence Annual
Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Brassica

Species

oleracea var. italica

Cultivar

Red Fire F1

Family

Brassicaceae

Other common names

Broccoli

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Annual / Perennial

Annual

Product reference • 22891

Planting and care

Sowing:

The germination temperature of Red Fire F1 Broccoli Cabbage is around 15° and takes about 14 days.

Sow in mid-June for planting a month later for harvesting from March the following year.

You can either directly sow it in place or prepare seedlings that will later be planted in their final location in the garden.

Preparing seedlings: at home or in a heated shelter from late autumn to late spring or in a cold greenhouse for the rest of the year, sow Broccoli Cabbage seeds to a depth of 1 cm (0in) in good seed compost. Lightly cover with compost or vermiculite. Remember to keep the substrate moist but not soggy!

When the young plants appear strong enough to handle, transplant them into pots and, for seedlings in a heated shelter, gradually acclimate them to cooler temperatures before transplanting them into the garden when there is no longer any risk of frost.

Direct sowing: In suitably amended and finely worked soil, create furrows about one centimetre deep, spaced 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in) apart. Sow the seeds and cover them with a thin layer of fine soil. When the seedlings are well developed, thin them out, leaving one plant every 60 cm (24in) or so.

Cultivation:

Broccoli Cabbage is a demanding vegetable that requires well-rotted, nitrogen- and potassium-rich soil. It is advisable to apply a generous amount of mature compost (about 3/4 kg per m2) in autumn by scratching it into the soil to a depth of 5 cm (2in) after having loosened the soil, as is done for all vegetable crops. It is not very tolerant of soil pH, which should be between 5.6 and 6.5. In acidic soil, it will be necessary to gradually raise the pH by adding calcium in the form of Dolomite or Lime.

Broccoli Cabbage, like all cabbage plants, is quite susceptible to diseases such as Clubroot and pests (Cabbage White Butterfly, Cabbage Fly, Flea Beetle, Cabbage Midge...), so it is essential to rotate crops for this cultivation.

It is beneficial to associate it with many vegetables, such as tomatoes and lettuce. But avoid planting it near other Brassicas and zucchini, fennel, lamb's lettuce, leeks, and strawberries.

Seedlings

Sowing period June
Sowing method Direct sowing
Germination time (days) 14 days

Care

Soil moisture Wet
Disease resistance Average
Pruning No pruning necessary

Intended location

Type of use Vegetable garden
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Damp soil

Planting & care advice

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