Rabe Brassica rapa (Ruvo Group)
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- BRAS-ih-ka RAY-puh
- Description
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This group includes Broccoli Raab, Rapini, Broccoletti, and Broccoletti di Rape and are in the mustard family. The plants resemble broccoli but the edible buds are in small clusters rather than one large one. Also, the leaves are more like turnip greens and the flavor is more pungent.
These are cool-season plants and can be planted for a spring or fall crop. Seeds can be planted in early spring and harvested for greens or allowed to mature. For mature plants, harvest just before the flower buds begin to open. For a fall crop, plant seeds mid to late summer. Row covers may help decrease insect damage.
Plant in fertile moist well-drained soils in full sun to light shade. Keep seedlings evenly moist and continue to water during dry spells.
Problems, Pests and Diseases: aphids, whiteflies, flea beetles, and caterpillars such as cabbage loopers, cutworms, and beet armyworms. Slugs and snails may also be a problem. Diseases include club root, white rust, leaf spot, and rots such as damping off and bacterial soft rot.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Brassica
- Species:
- rapa
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Edibility:
- Stems, leaves and buds are edible raw or cooked
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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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)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small clusters of green flower buds should be picked before opening. They will open to a 4-petaled yellow flower.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Bright lime green leaves
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Problems:
- Problem for Horses