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Kohl rabi Brassica oleracea (Gongylodes Group)

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
BRAS-ih-ka ol-ur-RAY-see-uh
Description

The Gongylodes Group is commonly called kohlrabi. The genus name Brassica is Latin for cabbage. It is a low, stout cultivar of cabbage.  The plants will bear white, green or purple, turnip-like edible swollen stems. For the best crop, it should be grown in the cooler temperatures of spring and fall.  Plants will not produce well when daytime temperatures remain above 80 degrees.  

Having a shallow root system, this plant can benefit from mulch being applied.  Mulching will also assist in keeping weeds at bay.

Kohlrabi is best harvested when the fat, rounded vegetable is 2-3" across.  Harvesting at that time will produce the most tender and sweet vegetable.  If harvested when the plant is larger in size, it will tend to become tough.  As well as boiling, steaming or baking, its leafy tops can also be harvested and eaten raw in salads or slaws.

Although not common, red varieties are also available.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  Possible disease problems with kohlrabi are downy mildew and bacterial rot.  Insects affecting the plants include aphids, cabbage loopers, cutworms, flea beetles and cabbage worms.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common Cole crop diseases and other plant problems.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Brassica oleracea.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#edible plant#food source fall#food source spring#cool season vegetable#annual vegetable#problem for horses#annual#early childhood#child#children#preschool#early care#easy edibles#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#edible plant#food source fall#food source spring#cool season vegetable#annual vegetable#problem for horses#annual#early childhood#child#children#preschool#early care#easy edibles#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Brassica
    Species:
    oleracea
    Family:
    Brassicaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe and Asia
    Edibility:
    Edible vegetable.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Cool Season Vegetable
    Edible
    Vegetable
    Habit/Form:
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Fruit Type:
    Siliqua
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    A crisp, juicy bulb-like vegetable that is edible. The fruits dry and split when ripe.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Shape:
    Cross
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Rarely flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are edible.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems (leaves) are edible.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Problems:
    Problem for Horses