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Post by ottawagardener on Nov 19, 2008 16:01:04 GMT -5
I have never grown this before but it intrigues me and I have heard that it behaves as a perennial or tends to persist from year to year. I presume this is if you don't cut off its head for food. ;D Or mabye it will just branch and carry on. I seem to be on a brassica kick lately so before I purchase, experiences? Heck, you know I'm going to get some seed anyway.  |
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Post by johno on Nov 19, 2008 23:10:55 GMT -5
I grew kailaan this summer. It tastes and looks much like broccoli raab (non-heading). Mine didn't last forever, but it did continue to flower and bud repeatedly. Have to wait and see if it comes back, but I wasn't exoecting it to - that would be a nice surprise. Seems to be very much less affected by bugs than broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower.
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Post by ottawagardener on Nov 20, 2008 9:15:05 GMT -5
Good to know about the bug thing. I'm always looking for plants that can take care of themselves. I can only coddle so much. |
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Post by orflo on Nov 21, 2008 2:04:40 GMT -5
If broccoli is hard to grow because of some insect problem, you can always try chenopodium nuttaliae, or huauzontlii (I've seen other spellings: hauazontle, huauzontli,....). It's a good summer alternative for broccoli, the young shoots are fried or steamed or whatever, just like broccoli, and they have a good taste. In Mexico these are served in restaurants, as some sort of an exquisite meal. It's very easy to grow (most chenopdiaceae are), and very productive, growing over two metres high, and producing loads of shoots. The leaves can also be eaten, as a spinach alternative, but I do prefer the shoots. The plants have a marvelous bordeaux-red colour in autumn. The seeds are also eaten, mostly ground into flour and added to small cakes and similar goodies.
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Post by grungy on Nov 21, 2008 3:39:32 GMT -5
Orflo, you are getting as bad as CanadaMike. LOL. This sounds like another type of plant that simply must be added to my ever enlarging list of must grow. And ottawagardener where are you getting the seeds for kailaan?
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Post by canadamike on Nov 21, 2008 4:29:29 GMT -5
Grungy, beware of our wonderful belgian goat Orflo Frank our favorite vegetarian friend that guy, or you'll end up putting balsamic salad dressing directly on the grass of your front yard to munch on it ,just like him!  Bah! None of my business...Anyway, I have to go, I got 50 pounds of pork chuck to cure for Christmas ham and a lot of back bacon to put in the smoker.... See you folks!  |
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Post by orflo on Nov 21, 2008 6:38:14 GMT -5
Grungy, beware of our wonderful belgian goat Orflo Frank our favorite vegetarian friend that guy, or you'll end up putting balsamic salad dressing directly on the grass of your front yard to munch on it ,just like him! Bah! None of my business...Anyway, I have to go, I got 50 pounds of pork chuck to cure for Christmas ham and a lot of back bacon to put in the smoker.... See you folks! That's what happens when you eat too much meat: you end up saying all kinds of things  Ssshhh Michel, ssshhh, all that red meat makes you aggresive.. ;D ;D |
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Post by ottawagardener on Nov 21, 2008 16:26:39 GMT -5
Mmm basalmic vinegar on the front lawn... By the way, Frank, I think I might love your knowledge of unusual edibles. This is one Canadian supplier (They have lots of interesting vegetables) but they aren't an a 'stated' organic supplier. Anyhow, I'm going to look around until I find a company selling other seed I'm interested in: www.agrohaitai.com/leafveg/chinesekale/chinesebroccoli.htmAs for the chenopodium nuttaliae, I did not know that it could be used as a broccoli substitute but I am intrigued and have always enjoyed growing its relatives. And you can eat the seeds and leaves? Geesh, it's on my wish list now. Does it reseed? |
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Post by orflo on Nov 22, 2008 0:28:48 GMT -5
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Post by ottawagardener on Nov 22, 2008 8:38:49 GMT -5
Thanks for the pics Frank. I'm looking forward to giving it a go. Did I mention I'm going to need to dig up more lawn? Besides, what else is it for but use as a green manure at bed making time?
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Post by canadamike on Nov 22, 2008 16:56:53 GMT -5
Well, salad my dear, with a little balsamic dressing, remember? ;D
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Post by ottawagardener on Nov 22, 2008 18:23:36 GMT -5
;D
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Post by ottawagardener on Nov 23, 2008 11:48:31 GMT -5
Peter's Seed and Research also carries Kailaan under kale.
Telsing.
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Post by hiven on Nov 26, 2008 10:10:43 GMT -5
Ottawagardener, I grow Kai Lan each year, love it. It taste alike purple sprouting broccoli, sweet and crispy...oh I am hungry now! There should be several cultivar available .Some are breed for stem production or for leaves production and some are for flower production. I am not sure their cultivar name anymore (sorry). Most Kai lan grow well in cool temp but there is a special cultivar for summer cultivations. So go for it ...  . |
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Post by ottawagardener on Nov 26, 2008 12:46:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the encouragement! I think I am going to try one that is bred for stem use if I can determine that as I'm getting into these thickened stem vegetables like celtuce and swollen stem mustards.
Telsing.
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Ssshhh Michel, ssshhh, all that red meat makes you aggresive.. ;D ;D
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