Gai Laan Brassica oleracea (Kai Lan & Chinese Kale Group)
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- BRAS-ih-ka ol-ur-RAY-see-uh
- Description
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This group contains the hybrids of Kai Lan and Chinese kale with origins in China and are popular varieties for Asian cuisine. The genus name Brassica is Latin for cabbage.
This plant grows 1-2 feet tall and does best in full sun in amended well-drained moist garden soil. Obtain a soil test before planting and fertilize according to recommendations. This variety withstands summer heat better than other kales and is best grown between 64-82 degrees but can tolerate higher temperatures. They can be directly sown in the ground or planted as seedlings. In North Carolina plant after the last frost in spring. It may cause contact dermatitis in some people.
The thick glossy blue-green young leaves can be harvested in 50-70 days and again once the flower buds appear on the stem. If left on too long they will become woody. The buds resemble small broccoli heads but will become white or yellow flowers if left to grow. Flower stalks, leaves and buds can be used raw or cooked. The flavor is similar to broccoli but stronger.
This plant was crossed with broccoli to produce broccolini.
Use this plant in the edible garden. Flowers will attract bees.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Insects include flea beetles, diamond-back moth, borers, and cabbage looper. At a lower level, aphids, grasshoppers and crickets. Spraying pesticides is not recommended for this edible plant. A serious disease for this plant is damping off. Providing good drainage will help to keep this disease at bay. See pests of crucifers to the left.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common Cole crop diseases and other plant problems.
More information on Brassica oleracea
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Hei'
White petals without wrinkled leaves. - 'Huanghuagelin'
Yellow petals and pale green leaves. - 'Huanghualenye'
Yellow petals and dark green leaves. - 'Large Leaf kailaan'
White petals and wrinkled leaves. - 'Nanjing huanghua'
White or yellow petals. - 'Nanjing huanghua'
White or yellow petals. - 'Small leaf kailaan'
White petals without wrinkley leaves.
- 'Hei'
- 'Hei', 'Huanghuagelin', 'Huanghualenye', 'Large Leaf kailaan', 'Nanjing huanghua', 'Nanjing huanghua', 'Small leaf kailaan'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Hei'
White petals without wrinkled leaves. - 'Huanghuagelin'
Yellow petals and pale green leaves. - 'Huanghualenye'
Yellow petals and dark green leaves. - 'Large Leaf kailaan'
White petals and wrinkled leaves. - 'Nanjing huanghua'
White or yellow petals. - 'Nanjing huanghua'
White or yellow petals. - 'Small leaf kailaan'
White petals without wrinkley leaves.
- 'Hei'
- 'Hei', 'Huanghuagelin', 'Huanghualenye', 'Large Leaf kailaan', 'Nanjing huanghua', 'Nanjing huanghua', 'Small leaf kailaan'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Brassica
- Species:
- oleracea
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mediterranean region and southwestern Europe
- Wildlife Value:
- Bees will visit the flowers
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edibility:
- Leaves in this group are used in Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai cuisine.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Cool Season Vegetable
- Edible
- Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Siliqua
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- 1-3.5" long with a conical beak. The fruit will dry and split when ripe.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The 4-petaled flowers are typically white, sometimes yellow, or red (rare) and appear in clusters
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Thick, firm, petiolate (stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the stem) leaves. The basal leaves are smaller, the upper leaves oblong.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Single stem, narrow branching or forking.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Riparian
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Problem for Horses
