Romanescu, the most ornamental edible vegetable

If there is a vegetable that is delicious and that is also decorative, that is the Romanescu. But where does this plant come from? How is it grown? And is it related to mathematics?

We are going to talk about all this and much more in this special. Are you going to miss it?

Characteristics of the romanescu

This strange and curious vegetable is actually a hybrid of broccoli that has a more intense flavor than this. It comes from the crossing of the varieties »Italica» (Brassica oleracea. italica) and »Botrytis» (Brassica oleracea. botrytis), which means that its characteristics are the same as those of both plants, which are the following:

Romanesco is a biennial plant, that is, it has a two-year life cycle during which it germinates and grows during the first year, and blooms and then wilts during the second year. It forms a rosette of leaves that does not exceed 30cm in height or 40cm in diameter. The flowers appear in inflorescences with fractal geometry. What does this mean? We tell you:

A fractal is a geometric object whose basic or fragmented structure is repeated at different scales. There are many plants that have fractal geometry, such as Aloe polyphylla or ferns. In the case of our protagonist, her inflorescence, so curious and striking, is fractal.

How is it grown?

Prepare ground

If you want to have one or more romanescos, below you have its cultivation and care guide, so that you can obtain an excellent harvest 🙂:

Siembra

The most recommended time to sow the seeds is early summer, when the temperature is high but does not exceed 20ºC. In the case that you live in a very hot area, it is better to sow them in spring so that more seeds can germinate.

To do this, you have to follow this simple step by step:

  1. The first thing you have to do is choose what to use as a seedbed. As such, you can use seedling trays, peat tablets, milk containers, plastic yogurt cups, flowerpots,… In short, whatever you have more at hand.
  2. Then fill it -if applicable- with substrate for seedlings -you will find it in nurseries- with black peat mixed with 30% perlite.
  3. Now, moisten it to the point that it is well soaked.
  4. Then, put a maximum of two seeds in each socket / pot. If you are using peat pellets, add only one.
  5. Cover them with a little substrate, just so the wind can't blow them away.
  6. Finally, spray the substrate with water so that the seeds are better hydrated and place the seedbed outside, in an area where it is exposed to direct sun for at least half a day.

If the substrate is kept moist, the seeds will begin to germinate after 4 to 6 days.

Transplant

Once they have a manipulable size, that is, when they have reached a height of at least 5cm, it will be time to transfer them to an individual pot of 20cm in diameter or to the garden. Let's see how to proceed in each case:

Move to a single pot

  1. First, you have to extract the seedling you want to transplant from the socket or pot. In the event that two together have germinated, you can separate them by carefully removing the soil that is adhering to the roots. One trick to make it easier is to put the earth bread in a container with water, as this way the earth will soften and it will be much easier to remove it.
  2. Afterwards, you have to fill the pot with substrate, almost completely. In fact, you can fill it completely and then make a hole by inserting a finger in the center.
  3. Then plant the seedling carefully so that the part that joins the roots with the aerial part - the leaves - is neither below the edge of the pot nor too much above it.
  4. Then give it a generous watering.
  5. To finish, place the pot in a sunny area.

When you see roots coming out of the drainage holes, transplant it again, this time, into a pot of at least 35cm in diameter.

Planting in the garden

  1. The first thing you should do is prepare the ground: the herbs and stones have to be removed. For this you can help yourself with a rototiller if the terrain is wide, or with the hoe.
  2. Then, add a 3cm thick layer of organic compost, with chicken or goat manure being especially advisable.
  3. Rake to make it level, and dig furrows that are 20cm deep.
  4. Now, place the seedlings in them, leaving a distance between specimens of 30cm. Of course, it is important that they are neither below ground level nor much above, since otherwise when irrigated they could either remain dry or on the contrary flooded.
  5. Finally, water.

Irrigation

Irrigation has to be frequent. Romanescu does not withstand drought, so it is necessary to prevent the soil from drying out. The frequency will vary depending on the weather and location, but generally it should be watered every 2 days in summer, and every 3-4 days the rest of the year.

Pests

Aphids

Aphids

It is a plant that does not usually have pest problems, but you have to pay attention to aphids and worms. The former are prevented by placing adhesive anti-aphid traps. If you already have, you can remove them with potassium soap.

To kill the worms, you can use Nacillus thuriengensis, which is a non-toxic and non-harmful biological insecticide.

You will find these products in nurseries and in online stores.

Multiplication

The romanesco multiplies only by seeds, following the steps described above.

Rusticity

It is one of the most resistant vegetables, withstanding frosts down to -10ºC. Still, it is highly advisable to protect the crops with transparent plastic if snowfall is expected. Do not place the plants inside the home, as they would not adapt.

Uses of romanescu

The romanesco it is mainly used in the kitchen. It can be consumed raw, cooked or steamed. In addition, it has medicinal properties, as it is rich in vitamin C (essential for a strong and healthy immune system), soluble fiber (essential for a proper functioning of the digestive system) and carotenoids (important for a good memory and to prevent eye problems as well as cardiovascular diseases).

Have you heard of this curious plant?


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