Chinese broccoli

[Newton]

We had sone in a restaurant this week. It is absolutely delicious so I hope to grow some this year!

Has anyone any experience of growing it? Is it actually a brassica? Does it grow easily in our climate?

[rustylady]

Never tried it, but just did a google and Marshalls have the seeds Buy Chinese Broccoli Kailaan Seeds

[oldie]

Yes, I grew it last year and it all bolted. Tried again this year and got a crop but I could not say it was prolific. Taste was fine, just not enough of it from six plants.

[veggiechicken]

Its on my Wish List! Marc Diacono in "A Taste of the Unexpected" raves about it. Every part of it is edible - leaves, stems and flowerheads. You can start harvesting within 2 months of sowing and, if you cut it right back when it gets cold, it will resprout in spring.

[unclefudgly]

Kailaan is not an easy one to grow in my experience, it is supposed to be a quick growing crop but never seems to grow very quickly at all in the uk. If you leave it too long the stems start to become woody and are not nice at all. I will try it agin next year though in raised beds with lots of manure!

[vegnut]

It seems to me that any Japanese/Chinese vegetables grown in this part of the world shouldn't be started until around late July early August or it all bolts !!!

[unclefudgly]

Vegnut is right. Most oriental vegetables have a tendency to bolt as the days grow longer. Komatsuna and Mizuna are exceptions in my experience and both are excellent tasting leaves.