Brassica rapa (Pekinensis Group) 'Vitimo'
Chinese cabbage 'Vitimo'
A compact, upright, annual vegetable with barrel heads. Each barrel head has attractive dark-green outer leaves and a contrasting yellow heart. Suitable for close planting in a raised bed or containers and is usually ready to harvest 55 days from sowing
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Neutral, AlkalineColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green White | |||
| Autumn | Green White | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Brassicas can be annual, biennial or perennial plants, most are upright with alternate, often glaucous leaves, long taproots and clusters of cross-shaped, yellow or white flowers. The genus includes a number of species bred to produce food crops, such as cabbages, turnips, mustards and oilseed rape, as well as others grown for their ornamental value
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Sow indoors between May-July or direct sow into a well prepared seedbed. Direct sow at a depth of 1cm with 30cm between rows, thin out later to 30cm between each plant when large enough to handle. Sow indoors in trays of free draining seed compost and lightly cover with vermiculite and place in a propagator at 20-25C until germination. Once germinated grow in cooler conditions, transplant when the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, harden off for 7-10 days before planting in final position. See Vegetable Cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to birds, flea beetle, cabbage caterpillar, cabbage whitefly, cutworms, slugs and snails, mealy cabbage aphid, cabbage root fly
Diseases
May be susceptible to club root, downy mildew, black rot, leaf spot, grey mould
Get involved
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